We are not talking about how the diversity of the species formed. We are talking about how life formed. The theory of evolution does not explain how life formed. It only seeks to explain how already existing life evolved. The floor is yours. Explain how life came to exist and explain how your explanation is more valid than, lets say, theistic evolution.
My OP is primarily concerned with explaining the diversity of life on Earth.
So you are shifting the goal post. I understand. Perhaps you should change the title of your OP to "Creationists explain how the designer modified living things on earth" and omit the "created" part.For starters, this is my thread so I can talk about what I want.
Though if you want to talk about the specific origin of life, we can talk about that too. I'll refer you to the work of Jack Szostak: Szostak Lab: Home
There's even a page which has some neat animations on how early protocells can form: Exploring Life's Origins: A Virtual Exhibit
Even the above references have more explanatory power than the Bible. So if you have more explanatory power for the creation of life via a designer, then by all means present it. Explain how a designer would go about creating the first life. What are the processes, mechanisms, forces, physical interactions, etc, involved?
Nevertheless, the fossil record and geology show that life on earth began with bacteria a very, very, very long time ago - whether life it was billions of years ago or millions of years ago, it doesn't matter. But one thing is certain - science has proven that life on earth wasn't created in six literal days, meaning the Genesis creation accounts should be interpreted symbolically, not literally.
Yes ... I'm familiar with the tactic.
But you're given some of it (viz., He spake).
because we can actually use it. Natural selection for engineering and medical research and common descent for medical research . If it weren’t an accurate description of nature we wouldn’t be able to use it.
I can't.
The OP says:
From a creationist point of view, I believe that live evolved in the exact same way that a wolf can "evolve" into a Pomeranian or a poodle. Through selective breeding. God did not necessarily need to create every single species of life on earth. Only a feline, canine, reptile, equestrian, pachyderm, ect. Over time, new breeds will naturally evolve much like new dog breeds are made every other day. In regards to creationists being able to explain the modification of living things on Earth, there are numerous scientists who have provided a wealth of evidence that support theistic creation. However, because they do not fit with the religious paradigm of secular science, they are immediately dismissed. "We know God doesn't exist therefore we can only assume that all scientific evidence pointing toward a divine creator must be wrong."
