If evolution, as Darwin envisioned it, is true, then all forms of life must be explainable on the basis of the gradual accumulation of numerous small modifications to the structure. As we have seen, many structures do exist which cannot be explained on that basis. We also have seen the gaps in the fossil record which make all ancestries uncertain. One more implication of Darwin's view of evolution is that since fossilization occurred randomly, some missing links should be found. Yet they haven't been.

The change in form from one group to another is totally without fossil evidence. There is no fossil fish with a half-developed jaw. All fossil fish either have jaws or not. Yes it is commonly believed that jawless fish evolved into jawed fish.

Fish are said to have evolved into four-legged amphibians, yet there is no fossil with a fin which has half evolved into a foot. This stage, even though it would be rather useless, is definitely a necessary transition for the evolution of an amphibian.

There is no fossil with a half-evolved wing. This transition occurred three different times, according to most authorities. The insects had to learn to fly from non-flying ancestors; the birds and pteraclactyls likewise. Since evolution postulates that this transition occurred three times, it should increase the chance of finding a creature with a half-evolved wing. Once again there is none.

Nor does the fossil record give an example of a half-evolved feather, yet the feather had to have evolved out of reptilian scales if the evolutionists are correct. Neither is there any evidence that scales evolved into mammalian fur. But once again this had to have occurred if evolution is true.

In every case in which a new physiologic structure is involved in the transition between two creatures, there is never any evidence of a half-evolved transitional form. It would seem reasonable to suppose that after more than 100 years of paleontologic searching; these transitional forms would be evident if they ever did exist.

However, despite evolutionary claims, there are no intermediate forms between basic kinds of organisms that have ever been observed, either in the present world or in the fossil world. There are numerous "horizontal changes" within kinds, both in existing organisms and in the fossils, but no vertical changes (except deterioration and extinction).

Possibly such intermediate forms may have existed in the past, as the evolutionist must believe, but he must "walk by faith, not by sight." He may be able to offer some sort of "explanation" for the gaps (difficulty of finding fossils, rapid evolution in small populations, etc.) but the creation model predicts them! All such "missing links" are still missing-exactly the same ones as in Darwin's day.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE SOURCES

J. Kerby Anderson and Harold G. Coffin, Fossils in Focus, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1977, p. 47-60.