Question for debate: Are the patterns seen in molecular phylogenies sufficient to show that biological evolution occurred?
For reference and easier Googling, the science of generating evolutionary trees is known as cladistics or phylogenetic systematics. Using DNA sequence data to generate the trees is molecular phylogeny.
The standard of evidence I'll be discussing is reasonable doubt. Even that's pretty broad, but if your argument hinges on "possible," you should be able to at least quantify that.
I've generated phylogenies using online tools previously and discussed them in this post. I tried to start a tutorial in this thread. If someone wants to discuss how to actually use the tools and data, feel free to ask questions in the tutorial thread and I'll pick it back up.
This debate question is a response to this comment.
Do patterns of phylogenesis show evolution?
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Re: Do patterns of phylogenesis show evolution?
Post #611Marke: Both Mary and Joseph descended from David through different lines.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:28 pmWell, let's take a a look...
Jesus’ genealogy is given in two places in Scripture: Matthew 1 and Luke 3:23-38. Matthew traces the genealogy from Jesus to Abraham. Luke traces the genealogy from Jesus to Adam. However, there is good reason to believe that Matthew and Luke are in fact tracing entirely different genealogies. For example, Matthew gives Joseph’s father as Jacob (Matthew 1:16), while Luke gives Joseph’s father as Heli (Luke 3:23). Matthew traces the line through David’s son Solomon (Matthew 1:6), while Luke traces the line through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31). In fact, between David and Jesus, the only names the genealogies have in common are Shealtiel and Zerubbabel (Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27).
There have been various attempts to dodge this problem, but they all come back to the same issue. Can't both be literally true.
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Re: Do patterns of phylogenesis show evolution?
Post #612That excuse won't work. Both of these say they are the genealogies for Joseph, not Mary.marke wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:31 pmMarke: Both Mary and Joseph descended from David through different lines.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:28 pmWell, let's take a a look...
Jesus’ genealogy is given in two places in Scripture: Matthew 1 and Luke 3:23-38. Matthew traces the genealogy from Jesus to Abraham. Luke traces the genealogy from Jesus to Adam. However, there is good reason to believe that Matthew and Luke are in fact tracing entirely different genealogies. For example, Matthew gives Joseph’s father as Jacob (Matthew 1:16), while Luke gives Joseph’s father as Heli (Luke 3:23). Matthew traces the line through David’s son Solomon (Matthew 1:6), while Luke traces the line through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31). In fact, between David and Jesus, the only names the genealogies have in common are Shealtiel and Zerubbabel (Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27).
There have been various attempts to dodge this problem, but they all come back to the same issue. Can't both be literally true.
Re: Do patterns of phylogenesis show evolution?
Post #613Marke: By claiming the Bible offers contradictory genealogies for Jesus you clearly rule out possible reasonable explanations and interpretations that are not contradictory.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:02 amThat excuse won't work. Both of these say they are the genealogies for Joseph, not Mary.marke wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:31 pmMarke: Both Mary and Joseph descended from David through different lines.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:28 pmWell, let's take a a look...
Jesus’ genealogy is given in two places in Scripture: Matthew 1 and Luke 3:23-38. Matthew traces the genealogy from Jesus to Abraham. Luke traces the genealogy from Jesus to Adam. However, there is good reason to believe that Matthew and Luke are in fact tracing entirely different genealogies. For example, Matthew gives Joseph’s father as Jacob (Matthew 1:16), while Luke gives Joseph’s father as Heli (Luke 3:23). Matthew traces the line through David’s son Solomon (Matthew 1:6), while Luke traces the line through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31). In fact, between David and Jesus, the only names the genealogies have in common are Shealtiel and Zerubbabel (Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27).
There have been various attempts to dodge this problem, but they all come back to the same issue. Can't both be literally true.
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Re: Do patterns of phylogenesis show evolution?
Post #614Show us a reasonable explanation other than the obvious conclusion that they are not literal genealogies.marke wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:08 amMarke: By claiming the Bible offers contradictory genealogies for Jesus you clearly rule out possible reasonable explanations and interpretations that are not contradictory.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:02 amThat excuse won't work. Both of these say they are the genealogies for Joseph, not Mary.marke wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:31 pmMarke: Both Mary and Joseph descended from David through different lines.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:28 pmWell, let's take a a look...
Jesus’ genealogy is given in two places in Scripture: Matthew 1 and Luke 3:23-38. Matthew traces the genealogy from Jesus to Abraham. Luke traces the genealogy from Jesus to Adam. However, there is good reason to believe that Matthew and Luke are in fact tracing entirely different genealogies. For example, Matthew gives Joseph’s father as Jacob (Matthew 1:16), while Luke gives Joseph’s father as Heli (Luke 3:23). Matthew traces the line through David’s son Solomon (Matthew 1:6), while Luke traces the line through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31). In fact, between David and Jesus, the only names the genealogies have in common are Shealtiel and Zerubbabel (Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27).
There have been various attempts to dodge this problem, but they all come back to the same issue. Can't both be literally true.
Re: Do patterns of phylogenesis show evolution?
Post #615Marke: It is not uncommon for Biblical characters to be identified by more than one name. The two genealogies represent the lineages of two different parents, Joseph and Mary. There is a possibility that some names are left out of the lineages. And so forth.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 11:17 amShow us a reasonable explanation other than the obvious conclusion that they are not literal genealogies.marke wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:08 amMarke: By claiming the Bible offers contradictory genealogies for Jesus you clearly rule out possible reasonable explanations and interpretations that are not contradictory.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:02 amThat excuse won't work. Both of these say they are the genealogies for Joseph, not Mary.marke wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:31 pmMarke: Both Mary and Joseph descended from David through different lines.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:28 pmWell, let's take a a look...
Jesus’ genealogy is given in two places in Scripture: Matthew 1 and Luke 3:23-38. Matthew traces the genealogy from Jesus to Abraham. Luke traces the genealogy from Jesus to Adam. However, there is good reason to believe that Matthew and Luke are in fact tracing entirely different genealogies. For example, Matthew gives Joseph’s father as Jacob (Matthew 1:16), while Luke gives Joseph’s father as Heli (Luke 3:23). Matthew traces the line through David’s son Solomon (Matthew 1:6), while Luke traces the line through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31). In fact, between David and Jesus, the only names the genealogies have in common are Shealtiel and Zerubbabel (Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27).
There have been various attempts to dodge this problem, but they all come back to the same issue. Can't both be literally true.
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Re: Do patterns of phylogenesis show evolution?
Post #616No, those excuses won't work. They both purport to be of Joseph, not of Mary. And they go back to two different lines from the House of David. Nathan and Solomon were two different sons of David.marke wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:44 amMarke: It is not uncommon for Biblical characters to be identified by more than one name. The two genealogies represent the lineages of two different parents, Joseph and Mary. There is a possibility that some names are left out of the lineages. And so forth.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 11:17 amShow us a reasonable explanation other than the obvious conclusion that they are not literal genealogies.marke wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:08 amMarke: By claiming the Bible offers contradictory genealogies for Jesus you clearly rule out possible reasonable explanations and interpretations that are not contradictory.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:02 amThat excuse won't work. Both of these say they are the genealogies for Joseph, not Mary.marke wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:31 pmMarke: Both Mary and Joseph descended from David through different lines.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:28 pmWell, let's take a a look...
Jesus’ genealogy is given in two places in Scripture: Matthew 1 and Luke 3:23-38. Matthew traces the genealogy from Jesus to Abraham. Luke traces the genealogy from Jesus to Adam. However, there is good reason to believe that Matthew and Luke are in fact tracing entirely different genealogies. For example, Matthew gives Joseph’s father as Jacob (Matthew 1:16), while Luke gives Joseph’s father as Heli (Luke 3:23). Matthew traces the line through David’s son Solomon (Matthew 1:6), while Luke traces the line through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31). In fact, between David and Jesus, the only names the genealogies have in common are Shealtiel and Zerubbabel (Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27).
There have been various attempts to dodge this problem, but they all come back to the same issue. Can't both be literally true.
Re: Do patterns of phylogenesis show evolution?
Post #617Marke: I do not share the criticisms of God and the Bible common to unbelievers with attitudes.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 9:34 amNo, those excuses won't work. They both purport to be of Joseph, not of Mary. And they go back to two different lines from the House of David. Nathan and Solomon were two different sons of David.marke wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:44 amMarke: It is not uncommon for Biblical characters to be identified by more than one name. The two genealogies represent the lineages of two different parents, Joseph and Mary. There is a possibility that some names are left out of the lineages. And so forth.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 11:17 amShow us a reasonable explanation other than the obvious conclusion that they are not literal genealogies.marke wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:08 amMarke: By claiming the Bible offers contradictory genealogies for Jesus you clearly rule out possible reasonable explanations and interpretations that are not contradictory.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:02 ammarke wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:31 pmMarke: Both Mary and Joseph descended from David through different lines.The Barbarian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:28 pmWell, let's take a a look...
Jesus’ genealogy is given in two places in Scripture: Matthew 1 and Luke 3:23-38. Matthew traces the genealogy from Jesus to Abraham. Luke traces the genealogy from Jesus to Adam. However, there is good reason to believe that Matthew and Luke are in fact tracing entirely different genealogies. For example, Matthew gives Joseph’s father as Jacob (Matthew 1:16), while Luke gives Joseph’s father as Heli (Luke 3:23). Matthew traces the line through David’s son Solomon (Matthew 1:6), while Luke traces the line through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31). In fact, between David and Jesus, the only names the genealogies have in common are Shealtiel and Zerubbabel (Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27).
There have been various attempts to dodge this problem, but they all come back to the same issue. Can't both be literally true.
That excuse won't work. Both of these say they are the genealogies for Joseph, not Mary.
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Re: Do patterns of phylogenesis show evolution?
Post #618With respect, that's not a criticism of either God or the Bible, but criticism of a particular exegetical method. Conflating God, the Bible, and Christianity writ large with peculiar theological positions is what leads to many misunderstandings.
My pronouns are he, him, and his.
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Re: Do patterns of phylogenesis show evolution?
Post #619Well, let's take a a look...
Jesus’ genealogy is given in two places in Scripture: Matthew 1 and Luke 3:23-38. Matthew traces the genealogy from Jesus to Abraham. Luke traces the genealogy from Jesus to Adam. However, there is good reason to believe that Matthew and Luke are in fact tracing entirely different genealogies. For example, Matthew gives Joseph’s father as Jacob (Matthew 1:16), while Luke gives Joseph’s father as Heli (Luke 3:23). Matthew traces the line through David’s son Solomon (Matthew 1:6), while Luke traces the line through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31). In fact, between David and Jesus, the only names the genealogies have in common are Shealtiel and Zerubbabel (Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27).
There have been various attempts to dodge this problem, but they all come back to the same issue. Can't both be literally true.
No, those excuses won't work. They both purport to be of Joseph, not of Mary. And they go back to two different lines from the House of David. Nathan and Solomon were two different sons of David.
Jesus’ genealogy is given in two places in Scripture: Matthew 1 and Luke 3:23-38. Matthew traces the genealogy from Jesus to Abraham. Luke traces the genealogy from Jesus to Adam. However, there is good reason to believe that Matthew and Luke are in fact tracing entirely different genealogies. For example, Matthew gives Joseph’s father as Jacob (Matthew 1:16), while Luke gives Joseph’s father as Heli (Luke 3:23). Matthew traces the line through David’s son Solomon (Matthew 1:6), while Luke traces the line through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31). In fact, between David and Jesus, the only names the genealogies have in common are Shealtiel and Zerubbabel (Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27).
There have been various attempts to dodge this problem, but they all come back to the same issue. Can't both be literally true.
That excuse won't work. Both of these say they are the genealogies for Joseph, not Mary.
Show us a reasonable explanation other than the obvious conclusion that they are not literal genealogies.Marke: By claiming the Bible offers contradictory genealogies for Jesus you clearly rule out possible reasonable explanations and interpretations that are not contradictory.
[/quote]Marke: It is not uncommon for Biblical characters to be identified by more than one name. The two genealogies represent the lineages of two different parents, Joseph and Mary. There is a possibility that some names are left out of the lineages. And so forth.
No, those excuses won't work. They both purport to be of Joseph, not of Mary. And they go back to two different lines from the House of David. Nathan and Solomon were two different sons of David.
You aren't God and you aren't the Bible. I'm criticizing your attempt to force a literal interpretation on everything in the Bible. Instead of revising it to fit your desires, why not just accept it as it is?Marke: I do not share the criticisms of God and the Bible common to unbelievers with attitudes.
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Re: Do patterns of phylogenesis show evolution?
Post #620That's hilarious.
"The Bible is inerrant and perfect...except when it isn't."
Being apathetic is great....or not. I don't really care.