LONG STORY SHORT (EPISODE THREE): Is Antibiotic Resistance Good Evidence for Darwinian Evolution?

Too much of a good thing can become a bad thing, right? An important illustration of this maxim is the fact that many antibiotics are wonder drugs when used in the proper dosages, but overuse leads to uselessness.

The folks at Discovery Science observe that:

“Bacterial evolution and antibiotic resistance is one of the all time greatest hits regarding evidence for Darwinian evolution. It’s true that antibiotics do stop working sometimes, AND antibiotic resistance is a form of evolution. But is this a demonstration of the creative power of Darwinian evolution, or is there something else going on?”

In the following 12:36 animated video, significant evidence is presented that indicates there is indeed “something else going on.” A kind of microevolution may well be involved but macro-evolutionary natural selection it isn’t:


Don’t Miss Previous Long Story Shorts!

EPISODE 1: Homology – Common Descent or Common Designer?

EPISODE 2: Did Bears Really Evolve Into Whales?


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6 Comments

  1. David Justus on September 30, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    It takes a lot of chutzpah to complain about equivocation after purposefully musing the evolutionary concept of ‘fit.’

    I have a few questions for you however.

    1 ) Do you believe it is possible to be a good Christian and believe in evolution?
    2) Do you think equating belief in Intelligent Design with being a Christian attracts more people to examine Christianity or the reverse?

    • Mark Tapscott on September 30, 2022 at 5:38 pm

      First, David, of course it is possible for a “good Christian” to believe in evolution, you merely conclude that evolution is how God created life. That doesn’t obviate the many problems with evolutionary evidence and theory, but it is an understandable position. Second, where have I ever said on HillFaith or anywhere else that “belief in Intelligent Design” (ID is a hypothesis, not a faith matter, btw) is the same as being a Christian? My understanding is that a number of the scientists associated with the Discovery Institute are in fact not Christians.

      • David Justus on October 4, 2022 at 2:21 pm

        Given the huge focus on evolution on this site combined with the stated purpose of the site as an apologetics ministry, I think it creates the impression that you believe that not believing in evolution is part of being Christian. If it isn’t central to your primary message then why does the evolution/intelligent design question play such a huge role in what you present?

        • Mark Tapscott on October 5, 2022 at 7:15 am

          That’s a legitimate question and the answer is actually rather simple: Skepticism and outright rejection of the existence of God, plus belief in Neo-Darwinian secular materialism, have become the public orthodoxy, especially in the most educated echelons of American society. Given the high average educational attainment among congressional aides, such skepticism and belief is common in their ranks on Capitol Hill. So addressing both issues is essential to being a relevant participant in the public discussion in this group, which is the primary focus of HillFaith.

          • David Justus on October 5, 2022 at 12:50 pm

            That is a fair answer and I agree that to many the non-existence of God and the belief that observed natural processes require no supernatural explanation are conflated. Personally though I think it is a mistake to support that viewpoint. I’ve read your own story of your discovery of faith and it seems to be it doesn’t have anything to do with evidence of the supernatural anywhere outside of your own heart and that is something that most, if not all, believers that I feel to have a true calling share. Like you in some cases that belief leads them to see the supernatural in the natural world, but that is more a result then a cause and certainly there are many whose faith I respect who also believe in an understandable and material universe.

            I think that buying into, and supporting the premise that the more we understand of the physical world the less need we have for God is wrong both tactically and theologically.



          • Mark Tapscott on October 6, 2022 at 8:54 am

            If I have given the impression that I believe, as you put it, “that the more we understand of the physical world, the less need we have for God,” then let me clear that up right now – “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2 ESV.



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