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 The Apparent Predictive Power
of the Theory of Evolution
by Nic Samojluk
A few weeks ago we were discussing the Intelligent Design controversy in a Loma Linda University Church small Sabbath School group, and the apparent recent defeat suffered by the proponents of this new theory in Dover, Pensylvania, where the judge presiding on the case ruled that the Intelligent Design explanation was not a scientific theory but rather an explanation supported by religious faith.
One reporter described the new theory as an "intellectual scam that calls itself 'intelligent design,' or ID." One of the SS participants asked about the teacher's opinion regarding this apparent victory of the supporters of Darwin's theory of evolution, and he responded: "We have to admit that the Darwin's theory has predictive power, which is what scientific theories are expected to do."
What was the SS teacher referring to? To answer this question, let me quote how a news reporter described this predictive power of the theory advanced by Charles Darwin:
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Where to begin? Well, first of all, proponents of ID point to what they insist are serious flaws in Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. The truth is that the theory is not only an overwhelmingly powerful explanation for how life on Earth manages to come in such a bewildering array of different types, but the only such theory in science.
Like any scientific theory, it can't explain how every aspect of every organism came to be, but each time scientists find new evidence—fossils of dinosaurs bearing feathers; fossils of the mammals whose descendants are whales; the molecular structure DNA that carries traits from one generation to the next; the mutations that can alter DNA to introduce new traits—the case for Darwin's theory has gotten stronger. |
I am highlighting the phrase "fossils of dinosaurs bearing feathers" for a special reason: The SS teacher cited this discovery in China as an example of the predictive power of the theory of evolution. The National Geographic magazine described the discovery as follows:
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A tiny, earlier cousin of Tyrannosaurus rex sported at least a partial coat of hairlike feathers, scientists reported today. The dinosaur chased prey and roamed the lakeside forests of Liaoning Province in northern China some 130 million years ago, researchers said. (See pictures of the new dinosaur.)
Although predicted by several paleontologists, the discovery marks the first time featherlike structures have been directly observed on a tyrannosaurid. Tyrannosaurids are predominantly large dinosaurs with short forelimbs that roamed Earth 130 to 65 million years ago.
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Supposedly, the feathers were not used for flying, but rather to keep the animals warm. My question is, what lesson can we draw from this discovery? Shall we sing the praises of the theory of evolution for predicting that bird-like feathers would sooner or later be discovered among dinosaur's fosils? I don't think so. My reason is quite simple. First, we need to remember that a "partial coat of hairlike feathers" does not necessarily equate with real feathers. The artistic drawing seems to be impressive, but can we trust the imagination of artists?
Nevertheless, granting the fact that science may eventually verify the accuracy of this claim, shall we admit that this discovery represents a great victory for evolutionists? I doubt, because the same phenomenon can be atributed to a common design. This leads me to the question implied by the title of this posting: Should we be impressed by the apparent predictive power of the theory of evolution? Can the opposing new theory identified as Intelligent Design either challenge or match this alleged predictive power? Perhaps not, since this theory is rather new among scientists. It might be like a recently sprouted oak tree. We need to give it time to grow and develop.
As far as predictive power I may not be able to claim too much for the Intelligent Design theory, but I can and will claim predictive power for the Intelligent Designer. The Intelligent Designer, through his representatives on earth--called prophets--did ascribe to himself predictive power, and history is a witnes that such predictive power has been verified time and again. Notice the following Intelligent Designer's claim:
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| For I am God, and there is no one else: I am God, and there is none like me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done. [Isaiah 46:9,10] |
Can the followers of Darwin match such a claim to predictive power? In the Bible we find numerous examples of predictions, short and long term, which were fulfilled in an incredible manner. We could cite the prophecies concerning Egypt, Tyre, Babylon, Gaza, Moab, Edom, Jerusalem, and much more, but the most impressive one is the following, I believe: The accurate fulfillment of the Messianic prediction found in the book of Daniel. Some critics have argued that some of these predictions might have been written after the facts. Well, we do know that the Old Testament was translated into Greek in the third century B.C. No biblical scholar doubts this. How can you explain the mathematical precision of Daniel's messianic prediction? And how can you explain the fulfillment of the prophetic description of future world empires found in the second chapter of Daniel?
Another impressive example of long-term predictive power relates to the nation of Israel: Through his servant Moses, the Intelligent Designer predicted that if his chosen nation were to turn to idols, there would follow serious consequences; and likewise, if later they repented, blessings would surely result. Notice the following predictions:
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| I will make the land desolate so that your enemies who settle in it shall be apalled over it. [Leviticus 26:32] |
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| And they shall say, "this desolate land has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste, desolate, and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.[Ezequiel 36: 35] |
These amazing predictions were fulfilled in the past more than once. I am citing this one especially because everybody is familiar with the checkered past of the nation of Israel, and how the Intelligent Designer has accuratelly predicted both the desolation of Palestine as a result of Israel's apostasy, and its amazing restoration whenever they repended of their sins. The best example is that of the modern nation of Israel.
Can Darwins predictive power match all this. I don't think so. If that is the case, then why should I trust Darwins explanation of origins? Notice that regarding origins, we have only two alternatives: Either an Intelligent Designer did it, or else it was the non-guided natural selection. I must atribute the great variety of life forms to either natural selection of else to the activity of the Intelligent Designer, also known as Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth. If he did it, then Darwin is wrong. I have decided to trust the one with the better predictive power!
Read more:
1. Did These 'Feathered' Dinosaurs Ever Fly?
http://sdaforum.com/page75.html
2. Darwin Victorious!
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1142672,00.html
3. Darwin Victorious?
http://sdaforum.com/page180.html
4. The best evidence yet of feathered dinosaurs
http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/0701/0701_feature.html
5. New Dinosaur Discovered: T. Rex Cousin Had Feathers
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/1006_041006_feathery_dino.html
6. Feathered Dinosaur Image Gallery
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/photogalleries/feathered_dinosaur/
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