Most critics of evolution accept microevolution but are skeptical of macroevolution—the claim that small changes can add up to big changes over long stretches of time. While the particulars of the mechanisms for such change are not all fully understood, there is very little disagreement among biologists that we now have powerful models of macroevolutionary transitions. These models make testable predictions and are continuously being refined by new evidence.
Whales provide a clear example of macroevolution. They are superficially similar to fish, but are, in fact, mammals! Darwin himself wondered whether whales had evolved from mammals on land, but he had no real empirical evidence for such a claim. Now we have impressive evidence.
In 1978 a 49 million year old skull was discovered that belonged to a land-dwelling wolf-like creature whose inner ear structure was curiously similar to that of modern whales. This led to a search for transitional forms, and very quickly a series of fossils spanning about ten million years was found that showed clear signs of increasing adaptation to life in water. The spine and legs were modified to allow for more efficient modes of swimming; nostrils moved toward the top of the skull, later becoming a blow hole; and hind legs eventually shrank to where they could no longer support the animals on land.
Many more fossils fit into this picture of whale evolution—more than 1000 specimens have been discovered in the Valley of Whales in what is now Egyptian desert. Remember these are not necessarily direct ancestors of whales today. That’s not how evolution works. More likely is that these represent related species that were evolving over millions of years. And taken together, they form an impressive picture of significant change in this lineage of mammals. This picture is not the result of wishful thinking or driven by unwarranted assumptions. It has emerged as the result of careful observation of evidence, which leads to the formation of hypotheses; these make predictions of future finds and are tested by observable evidence which is open to the scrutiny of others.
At BioLogos we see this interconnectedness of life as a testimony to God’s creativity. He worked through simple natural processes to fashion dinosaurs and daisies, weevils and warthogs, and human beings in his own image. He could have snapped his fingers to do this instantaneously, but both scripture and the natural world reveal that God delights in working through processes to accomplish his will. Evidence from the fossil record and also in the distribution and comparison of species supports the claim that he worked through evolution. And today we find even more persuasive evidence in genetics.
Related Resources
If you enjoyed this resource, we recommend you check out one of the following:
All ResourcesThe Webb Telescope and God’s Evolving Universe
From ancient civilizations to modern scientists and everyone in between, we all share a desire to understand where we as humans came from and what our place is in the universe. What might the Webb Telescope reveal to us about these big questions?
Regina McCurdy | Teaching Teachers to Teach Science
Regina tells her story and then we talk about the importance of bringing empathy into the classroom and the role race and ethnicity plays in the science classroom.
- Featuring guests Jamie Jensen,
- Erik Lindquist,
- Lee Meadows,
- Josh Strahan,
- John Lewis,
- JP Conway,
- Mina Choi,
- Brian Smith
- and Sara Tolsma
Reconciling Evolution | Part Two
We hear from some of the people putting the work of teaching evolution into practice and we hear a few stories of the hardship.
Are Dinosaurs Extinct? Modern Birds Connect us to Our Ancient Past
Dinosaurs are extinct, or are they? A paleontologist reflects on seeing signs of ancient prehistoric creatures while hiking.
More than a Powerhouse: Mitochondria, DNA and Dad
Mitochondria are so much more than powerhouses. While we inherit Mitochondrial DNA primarily from Mom, that doesn't mean Dad's contribution is any less important.
- By Amanda L. Townley
- and Ciara Reyes-Ton
Amanda L. Townley: Evolution Education and Science Literacy in the South
Amanda L. Townley draws on her experience as a former middle school and high school teacher and work as a professor in science education to raise the next generation of educators.
The Webb Telescope and God’s Evolving Universe
From ancient civilizations to modern scientists and everyone in between, we all share a desire to understand where we as humans came from and what our place is in the universe. What might the Webb Telescope reveal to us about these big questions?
Regina McCurdy | Teaching Teachers to Teach Science
Regina tells her story and then we talk about the importance of bringing empathy into the classroom and the role race and ethnicity plays in the science classroom.
- Featuring guests Jamie Jensen,
- Erik Lindquist,
- Lee Meadows,
- Josh Strahan,
- John Lewis,
- JP Conway,
- Mina Choi,
- Brian Smith
- and Sara Tolsma
Reconciling Evolution | Part Two
We hear from some of the people putting the work of teaching evolution into practice and we hear a few stories of the hardship.
Are Dinosaurs Extinct? Modern Birds Connect us to Our Ancient Past
Dinosaurs are extinct, or are they? A paleontologist reflects on seeing signs of ancient prehistoric creatures while hiking.
More than a Powerhouse: Mitochondria, DNA and Dad
Mitochondria are so much more than powerhouses. While we inherit Mitochondrial DNA primarily from Mom, that doesn't mean Dad's contribution is any less important.
- By Amanda L. Townley
- and Ciara Reyes-Ton
Amanda L. Townley: Evolution Education and Science Literacy in the South
Amanda L. Townley draws on her experience as a former middle school and high school teacher and work as a professor in science education to raise the next generation of educators.
The Webb Telescope and God’s Evolving Universe
From ancient civilizations to modern scientists and everyone in between, we all share a desire to understand where we as humans came from and what our place is in the universe. What might the Webb Telescope reveal to us about these big questions?
Regina McCurdy | Teaching Teachers to Teach Science
Regina tells her story and then we talk about the importance of bringing empathy into the classroom and the role race and ethnicity plays in the science classroom.
- Featuring guests Jamie Jensen,
- Erik Lindquist,
- Lee Meadows,
- Josh Strahan,
- John Lewis,
- JP Conway,
- Mina Choi,
- Brian Smith
- and Sara Tolsma
Reconciling Evolution | Part Two
We hear from some of the people putting the work of teaching evolution into practice and we hear a few stories of the hardship.