Four Differences Between Natural Selection And Evolution

1. The terms natural selection and evolution have different meanings.

It is important to separate these two terms by their clear differences. Darwinian evolution requires an organism to gain new information, while natural selection is the loss of information. Rather than producing new information, natural selection reduces or redistributes pre-existing genetic information. Evolution requires a mechanism for a gain of information, something that has never been observed.

2. What we observe in nature confirms the effect of sin on the original biblical creation.

In the beginning, God created all living things with genetic diversity. Because of man’s sin, creation now groans, and all life is further separated from the original perfect creation. Mutations alter the original created genetic diversity and are a direct effect of that sin.

3. Adaptation is driven by natural selection, not evolution.

Adaptation is a product of natural selection that allows organisms to adapt to differing environments and branch out into different species. The organism usually has traits that will result in an increased or decreased fitness for the organism’s environment. Adaptations remain within the boundaries of the created kinds and reflect the forethought of the Creator God, who provided beneficial changes for living things to thrive in their environments.

4. Natural selection is observable within created kinds.

Genesis 1 describes the creation of living things according to their kinds. The variation within each created kind is directly observable through the study of DNA. There are clearly defined reproductive barriers written into the DNA code by the Creator God, preventing organisms from reproducing outside their created kinds.

For example, variation within the feline kind is observed in lions, tigers, cheetahs, panthers, domestic cats, and others. The canine kind has also been influenced by natural selection, mutations, and other mechanisms. We can observe a range of sizes from German shepherds to Chihuahuas and miniature poodles. In equines, there are ponies, mules, zorses, and zonkeys—all reflecting a Creator God who loves diversity.