Let's get back to the ole "if then" statements. If Energy (Matter) can be neither created nor destroyed then how does evolution account for the seeming creation from nothing of life as we know it? Reductio ad absurdum would show that since life comes from life, either life has always existed (negated by the 2nd law of thermodynamics) or there was an initial causal action that began life.
Error #1: Matter and energy are created and destroyed and we see it in action. That's why I corrected your misstatement the first Law. Next.
then how does evolution account for the seeming creation from nothing of life as we know it?
Error #2: Life as we know it was not created from nothing (except in fairy tales or mythology). Next.
Reductio ad absurdum would show that since life comes from life,
Error #3. Nothing shows "life comes from life". The definition of life itself is rather fuzzy for modern biologists. Next.
either life has always existed (negated by the 2nd law of thermodynamics)
Error #4: No, life has not always existed. Nor is such a proposition negated by your poor understanding of the laws of thermodynamics. Next.
or there was an initial causal action that began life.
Error #5 While possible, there is no reasons to presume so and, most importantly, it is not relevant to the Theory of Evolution.
I hope that helps your understanding.