Confusion between origins and development

A great deal of the confusion that exists in the Creation/Evolution debate stems from a failure to distinguish between origins and development.

Quotes and comments;

A. "The idea of evolution was like the kindling of a torch which suddenly cast a brilliant light upon the mysterious processes of nature, the dark recesses of creation, and gave us the simple, nay, the only possible explanation of them ; evolution is the magic formula through which we learn the secret of the apparently insoluble riddle of the origin and development of the infinite variety of terrestrial creatures." [1.]

- The basic flaw in evolutionary theory (as it's presented in textbooks, etc.) is that origin and development are conflated. These are utterly different phenomenon. To confuse them is a category mistake, and to consign yourself to wandering in a swamp of error. If Darwinists had restricted themselves to giving us a theory of development, they would have been on solid ground. Evolutionary theory can (theoretically) be helpful in showing us the development that has occurred since the time of the original creation. What the theory cannot do is show us how the biological world originated.

I agree with those who claim it's a mistake to think 'evolution' can be successfully employed to explain the origin of anything. (Development yes; origin no.) [2.]

Summary;
In my opinion, a christian can be an evolutionist in terms of development, but he cannot be one in terms of origins. (i.e. if he wants to remain orthodox, and true to the intent of scripture.)

M. Johnson

Notes;
1. Philosophy of revelation - Bavinck/p.43 [quoting L. Reinhardt]
2. What are commonly referred to as species, are, in terms of biblical creation theory, developments from basic animal kinds. (i.e. a much larger or broader classification)
3. These two realms of inquiry (origins and development) are the equivalent (roughly) of 'micro-evolution' and of 'macro-evolution.'
4. There's a connection here to Greek philosophy; with the debate over being and becoming.