FAQ 19
Finger-Nails: Created or Evolved?
NCW 39
Q. According to your Constitution and other publications, the Church rejects evolution. You cite all the arguments used by creationists. But how do you explain, for example, the presence of finger-nails on people? Aren't these perfect evidence of a vestigal structure -- a "claw out of work?"
A. The arguments offered by evolutionists are all based on certain untestable assumptions. From a purely scientific point-of-view the question of origins is untestable and therefore the province of philosophy, not science. Many of the so-called "vestigal" organs of mammals have proven to be anything but vestigal, as research work on the appendix has shown.
But what of the human nail which you cite? Organs or biological structures which are no longer of any practical use tend to disappear, as, for example, with the eyes of many cave-dwelling animals which no longer need sight. Human nails are, however, most useful, and you will search in vain to find someone who has not appreciated their value as scratching devices, prizing instruments, and, perhaps most importantly, as a kind of armour plating for the tips of the fingers and toes. Our finger-tips are enormously senstive, perfectly created for the tasks for which we typically use them. Being ultra-sensitive, protection in the form of nails is a great boon.
I can think of no part of the human body which is not useful in some way for terrestrial existence. Nails grow, not because they are trying to make long-forgotten claws, but to ensure that if they are damaged in protecting our finger and toe tips, they will be replaced. We should praise God for the wonderful designer that He is and thank Him for nails!
This page was created on 16 October 1997
Last updated on 26 February 1998
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