Famous Ape-to-Man Diagram “So Wrong”?

Well, some evolutionists are saying that the famous image is wrong because it gives the impression that evolution has a direction. A recent article quotes an evolutionist saying that image should be “expunged from the record of everything.”

Dr. Adam Rutherford explains:

[That image] points to the idea that evolution has a direction . . . It suggests that there are ape-like ancestors and they begin to walk upright and eventually become us and it goes in a very nice, neat line.

This isn't how evolution works at all. We evolve to occupy whatever environmental niche we're in at that time . . .

We quite easily in the future could evolve into a completely different shape or go back to being quadrupedal [walking on all fours]. That's just how evolution works. The idea that evolution 'improves' is not correct.

So, evolution is directionless and humans could even evolve back to walking on all fours? Now that seems to suggest evolution does have a direction . . . in that case, going from walking on four limbs to walking on two limbs, to walking on four limbs, whatever is most advantageous. Confused?

Also, if evolution is directionless, how did man evolve? Really, what they believe is that by directionless chance random processes, all life somehow evolved and eventually man evolved, and we know it happened, they argue, because man and animals exist, therefore evolution is fact. Yep, that's the story (fairytale) of evolution.

I’m reminded of this verse:

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

Also, Dr. Rutherford says mankind should never be looked on as a “pinnacle of evolution,” as was once taught. Actually, the whole idea of mankind as a “pinnacle” is itself borrowed from the Christian worldview because man is the pinnacle of creation. We alone are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), different from animals. So this evolutionist is trying to be consistent with his atheistic evolutionary view by not making man the pinnacle . . . or higher than the apes.

Actually, the whole idea of mankind as a “pinnacle” is itself borrowed from the Christian worldview because man is the pinnacle of creation. We alone are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), different from animals.

Directionless evolution is actually man's religion to try to explain life without God. Yes, evolution is a religion. Even ardent evolutionist Michael Ruse admitted this:

Evolution is promoted by its practitioners as more than mere science. Evolution is promulgated as an ideology, a secular religion—a full-fledged alternative to Christianity, with meaning and morality. I am an ardent evolutionist and an ex-Christian, but I must admit that in this one complaint . . .the literalists are absolutely right. Evolution is a religion. This was true of evolution in the beginning, and it is true of evolution still today.

Yes, evolution is a religion!

Get More Answers on Answers News

This item was discussed yesterday on Answers News with cohosts Avery Foley, Bodie Hodge, and Roger Patterson. Answers News is our twice-weekly news program filmed here at the Creation Museum and broadcast on my Facebook page and the Answers in Genesis Facebook page. We also covered the following topics:

• How many species inhabit earth?
• Clouds on Venus life . . . or just volcanos?
• Winnipeg man kills toddler, after failing to abort her.
• And more!

Be sure to join us each Monday and Wednesday at 2 p.m. (ET) on my Facebook page or the Answers in Genesis Facebook page for Answers News. You won’t want to miss this unique news program that gives science and culture news from a distinctly biblical and Christian perspective.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.