[longshadow]

Since the phenomenon of change is at the very core of evolutionary theory it begs the question, exactly when and how did evolution start?

But the theory of evolution is NOT contingent upon the answer to that question. That's the point. Hydrology isn't contingent upon where water came from; gravitation isn't contingent upon where matter came from. They are all compatible with ANY explanation of how the raw materials got here.

[dynoman]

I'm not sure I agree because as The Origins of Life Prize site states, Any scientific life-origins theory must connect with "life" as we observe it (the "continuity principle"). The theory of evolution by nature has to include the origin of life question since it is attempting to explain where "life as we observe it" came from. The Continuity Principle demands this. If it doesn't why do the evolutinists associated with the Origions of Life Prize say so?