Richard Dawkins, a well-known evolutionary biologist and atheist, does argue—based on the mainstream scientific consensus—that whales evolved from land-dwelling, four-legged mammals. According to evolutionary theory, the ancestors of modern whales gradually adapted to aquatic life, and over millions of years, their legs transformed into flippers and their bodies became more suited to living in water.

What Does the Bible Say?

From a traditional Christian perspective, as reflected in the historical-grammatical interpretation of Scripture, the Bible teaches that God created all living creatures according to their kinds, each with distinct forms and purposes. Genesis 1:21, 24–25 states:

"So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds… And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.' And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."
(Genesis 1:21, 24–25, ESV)

This passage affirms that sea creatures (including whales) and land animals were created separately, each "according to their kinds." There is no biblical indication that whales or any other sea creatures evolved from land mammals or that they once had legs.

Intelligent Design and the Evidence

From the perspective of Intelligent Design, the complexity and specialization of whales point to purposeful creation rather than a gradual transformation from land animals. The fossil record, while showing some extinct animals with features similar to both land mammals and whales, does not conclusively demonstrate a direct, step-by-step evolutionary pathway. Life, according to the biblical worldview, does not arise from non-life, nor do fundamentally different kinds of animals transform into one another.

Theological Implications

The idea that whales had legs and evolved from land mammals is rooted in a naturalistic worldview that excludes God as Creator. The Bible, however, consistently teaches that God is the direct and intentional Creator of all life (Psalm 104:24–25; Colossians 1:16):

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."
(Colossians 1:16, ESV)

Summary

• Richard Dawkins believes whales evolved from land mammals with legs, based on evolutionary theory.
• The Bible teaches that God created sea creatures and land animals separately, each according to their kinds (Genesis 1:21, 24–25).
• Intelligent Design supports the view that whales were specially created for their aquatic environment.
• The Christian worldview affirms God as the Creator of all things, not the product of unguided evolution.