1. The overall fossil evidence is consistent with what one would expect of an evolutionary progress, but you think this is simply a matter of appearance, not the result of actual evolution/mutation/speciation etc.
The fossil record is an extremely thin line of evidence on which evolutionists depend for support of their theory. For you to have any credibility for serious consideration, you will need to understand molecular genetics and statistical probabilities and present a credible theory for how the species evolved unassisted and unguided by a Higher Power. You can begin with a simple case of the domestic horse and a zebra and show the details of how they evolved from a common ancestor. As the sister said above, "
If you can't discuss the details but wish to classify this as science then be prepared to answer the hard questions." The reliance upon a theory based on broad generalities despite tremendous advances in biological understanding is most telling about the weakness of ToE.
The evidence I see in the similarity in molecular biology and genetics of closely related species that becomes more dissimilar as a hypothetical phylogenic tree ascends to a hypothetical Common Ancestor can be seen to support ToE. My work actually entails cross-species transfer of genes, but given my scientific understanding, I see that these transfers would never have taken place without the direct involvement of men. I see this as analogous to God creating the species through whatever means befits His majesty.
2. You don't accept any ancestral or family link between individual fossils and you believe the apparent similarities are instead the result of entirely separate one-off divine creations, in a process repeated billions of times through history.
... again fossils don't do much for me, but if you substitute 'molecular genetic' for 'fossils', then I would say, "Yes, I believe the later except I do accept apparent co-ancestry of related species." The issue I have is the reliance upon random mutation as the basic 'creative process' for genetic variation among individuals for natural selection to act upon. If instead the genetic variation can be proposed as having been created by a multitude of Divine fiats over time, then I can begin to become more comfortable with apparent evolution, but then again ToE would never allow for that as not being based on evidence.
3. Therefore, new species are created by divine fiat but new individuals within a species are the result of the ordinary processes of reproduction.
Yes.
4. You believe that DNA and other genetic process/systems are present only to allow a species to keep its form, as well as allowing limited change in response to the environment (ie what is termed 'micro evolution') - but not to permit or enable 'macro evolution' (ie speciation).
Yes, I do not see the speciating genetic changes as being possible without the direct involvement and redirection by a creative, intelligent being - God.
Assuming I have all that right I have a couple of other questions....why would God create lifeforms one by one roughly according to an evolutionary progress, rather than simply creating the means for evolution and letting it run? Why is this the only part of creation which seems to need continual acts of God? Would it not be more logical for God to treat this like the rest of Creation and make it self sustaining?
I don't know the answers to these questions and outside of the Qur'an I have no answer for a more basic question, "Why did God create us?" for which I find, {
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.} 51:56 and {
That is Allah, your Lord; there is no deity except Him, the creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things.} 6:152
And is the anti TOE criticism really justified, seeing as the fossil record does have the appearance of an evolutionary progress, even if you don't agree it is the result of a naturalistic process?
Yes, it is justified because it is being presented as scientifically based and I disagree with the 'science' behind it. As a scientist I see that ToE is a pseudo-science that has a cult-like following even among some who are scientists themselves.