There are just some things that do not change when it comes to children. Kids will always love to play, they will rarely listen to their parents much of the time and most of them have a fascination with monsters. I know that when I was really young, the earliest book I remember looking at the pictures of is that famous title, Where the Wild Things Roam. And most particularly, the child within us all is awakened when we discuss the issue of dinosaurs.
I suppose the reason that dinosaurs are a springboard for our imagination is not only their strangeness and in some cases immense size, but the fact that they existed at one time. However, this brings us to the puzzling nature of dinosaurs. And quite frankly we Christians are troubled by the truth of their existence. For instance, there are those in the secular world that would have us believe that the presence of dinosaurs is a major problem for the Biblical record of creation in Genesis. Exactly ‘when’ were they created? Does the Bible mention them? And if not, does this contradict the Bible, to where, it ceases to be the infallible Word of God? Though the subject of dinosaurs can be exciting, there is a dark side to the issue. I would like to shed some light on this shadow of doubt hovering over our reptilian past so that we can dispel this notion of creation vs. scientific knowledge.
In the Bible?
Concerning the Bible and dinosaurs, we should not be surprised that the word ‘dinosaur’ is nowhere to be found. It wasn’t until 1841 when the term was created to refer to a species of large reptiles that had been identified some twenty years earlier. In 1822, it is said that a Mary Anne Mantell was taking a stroll through a rock quarry, in search of fossil specimens for her husband Dr. Mantell, when she came across the most extraordinary stone. Showing it to her husband, he was baffled and after analyzing the rock, came to the conclusion that it must have belonged to some ancient and presently extinct race of creatures. And, this is what sparked the subsequent discovery of countless other fossils remains of, what we now know today as dinosaurs.
Furthermore, there are passages in the Bible some are inclined to believe describe dinosaurs. For example, Job 40:15-24 identifies two sorts of creatures (a behemoth and leviathan) that could be what scientists have identified as some sort of Brachiosaurus and perhaps something like one of the aquatic dinosaurs. But, even if they are not, the Bible does not reference every species of animal. It was never meant to be used as a zoology text. The presence of dinosaurs, thus, poses no threat to the historical accuracy and contextual integrity of Scripture.
Timeline?
Probably one of the more contentious debates associated with dinosaurs and the Bible is timeframe. According to evolutionary models, the dinosaurs lived some 65 million years ago. Yet, the Bible presumably accounts for the universe coming into existence within the span of 7 days. If this is true, then how is it that there are fossils that predate the universe itself. Well, there are a couple of answers to this. One is found in what is known as the ‘young-earth’ model. This explanation makes the claim that science is mistaken as to the age of the dinosaurs, since, dating methods and current scientific theories ignore indeterminable factors that only God can know, as is explained in the Bible. Another model is what is known as ‘the gap theory’. This assumes the scientific model as correct, however, the 7 days in creation are not ‘literal’ days, but are ages or epochs that lasted millions of years in our time, thus fitting neatly within the evolutionary model of millions of years.
I myself am tempted to agree with the scientist Mario Livio, who, when asked about the seeming contrarieties between Science and Religion, states that God, being supernatural, needn’t function within the laws of the physical universe. Indeed, we wouldn’t expect him to. As C. S. Lewis once said "not being able to find God ‘in’ His creation since it would be like trying to find the architect of a building as a feature of the structure", why should we think we can find His tools that He used to build this universe just lying around? So, let us not be frightened away by the issue of dinosaurs, so that, we can continue to play with our rubber T-rex dolls. After all, they can not devour our faith like they did their prey so many years ago.
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Comments
Please visit answersingenesis.org and icr.org both are involved in apologetics. Excuse me for being blunt... but, your lack of real knowledge on this issue is atrocious. The Bible is the historical account of the universe. It is meant to be our axiom in our faith. You are casting doubt on the Bible which is not a bad thing because that is the way to find answers to the questions that you have and grow stronger in the faith by finding answers to those questions. But in this kind of context where you are a teacher you seem to be, in a way, leading people astray more than anything. Now to get down to business. The Bible does talk about zoology “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.� Gen 1:24, 25 KJV. This is the sixth day. That is when dinosaurs were created that were on land anyway, winged fowl and sea creatures were created on the fifth day. Next ...There are not any fossils that predate the universe. Search radioisotope or radioactive dating at either site to find answers to that question because there is not a fossil out there that predates the universe. Most fossils were formed during the flood Genesis Chapter 8. Fossils do not need a vast amount of time to form only the right conditions. The Genesis flood gives the only explanation for why we find fossils embedded in rock on top of mountains. And why we had only one recent ice age. Read Michael Oard’s book about the Ice Age and mammoths. On the answersingenesis.org website. The earth is young, that is a fact, if one reads the Bible at face value in Genesis. Search Archbishop James Ussher on the AiG website for answers. Additionally search “earth’s magnetic field� for more on why the earth IS young. Gap Theory...furthermore the days in Genesis are literal days! “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.� Gen. 1:5 KJV. That can ONLY mean a 24 hour day! Research gap theory on the AiG website for the dismantling of that fallacy. After one researches both the icr.org (Institute for Creation Research) and the answersingenesis.org there are not any contradictions between the Bible and science. We are to believe God not man about our past. God was there, we weren’t! Robert your last paragraph reminds me of Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:� Also you make it seem like dinosaurs (dragons) did not exist. We have proof in fossils created by the flood in Gen. 8. Dinosaurs cannot devour our faith, on the CONTRARY they can strengthen it and help us tell the world that the Bible does talk about dinosaurs (dragons). You can find the word dragon 30 or so times in the Bible depending on the version i.e. KJV. Job does refer to dinosaurs, research that too on either of the provided websites. I pray that this does not seem like Matt 7:3 and myself with a beam in my own eye trying to extricate the sliver in your eye. At last I pose a final question, if you cannot believe what God said in Genesis then how can you believe what He said about Christ and his virginal birth, divinity and how Jesus forgave all of our sins on the cross? Genesis is the foundation to our faith, without it Christianity would just be like all the other religions. Genesis tells us what sin is and why Jesus had to die on the cross for our sins. P.S. 1Peter 3:15
Posted by: Travis | June 30, 2006 05:35 AM
Sorry, I re-read your article and I see where you were coming from. Excuse me for being rude and not letting your article come through as it should. Just ignore everything except for the websites which can help you for furher article if you feel that you want to go down that path. I had a beam in my eye last night and I ask for your forgiveness. My reply was unacceptable and I will not post anything until the words of the author have really sunk in.
Posted by: Travis | June 30, 2006 05:19 PM
I like this article. However, I'd like to chime in with my two cents in response to the above post, and hope i am not being judgmental.
The argument (to me) is not science vs. religion, it's good religion & good science, vs. bad religion & bad science. Its a shame so many good hearted Christians (who are so hungry) are gullible enough to be led astray by bad science and embrace some of the devil's most clever lies (i.e."...Genesis flood gives the only explanation for why we find fossils embedded in rock on top of mountains...and why we had only one recent ice age...") The devil wants us to read the Bible with such a literal slavishness that we miss the point of most of it. Genesis is an immeasurably valuable book - please don't reduce it to something dry & rigid that you indolently accept as the kind of "Truth" reported in a newspaper. Genesis speaks of the order of the universe (true science), the entirely unfathomable age of the universe (concept of eternity), and that God is ever-present in every corner of the universe (in every law, every person, every rock, every atom). Please don't tell Christians that Genesis purports bad science; you would not only be asserting that Scripture is a mere periodical, but also that you read it like a brand new science book. If I were the author of such a beautiful book, I can only hope that reader would not offend me by interpreting my words with a one-way dialectic. Please don't tell Christians to force Holy text into a master/slave relationship (whichever would be master or slave). Cooperate with it. Work with it, don't just read, load yourself on, put it in your pocket and call it religion. Please don't sell Christianity based on tunnel vision; it produces false science and fake spirituality. This double lie is the highest and most subversive of the devil's cons, even if its advocates are good hearted and well meaning. It makes the rest of us Christians look deluded, stubborn and it is no wonder "evangelism" is such a dirty word to the secular world nowadays. PLEASE LISTEN, Bible readers everywhere: the spiritual engagement from Scripture truly comes when you spiritually engage the text. I like to say "I look deep into the Bible, and it looks back at me." My friend and brother in Christ, the Holiest of books in your hands is more precious than gold. Let it speak to you RICHLY from this day forth. I pray you may become truly wealthy.
Posted by: ethan | July 8, 2006 09:34 AM
The comment on the gap theory days being millions of years is not true, the days are literal days, you mix up day age and gap theory together
see www.creationdays.dk for more info on the gap theory
Ole
Posted by: Ole Madsen | August 12, 2006 05:55 AM
Actually the bible does talk about dinosaurs..in Job i think it is, dont quote me on that but im pretty sure. and there is sooo much wrong information here i just dont know where to start. Ever heard of Dr.Dino? otherwise known as Kent Hovind, well go to www.drdino.com and there are books availiable there and articles to educate on everything written here.
YBIC
Scotty
Posted by: Scotty | November 22, 2007 03:41 PM
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
II Peter 3:8
Im not saying literally that it was created in 6 days or 6 thousand. Im just saying that time doesn't restrict God so he could have taken a while to create the earth and all science could be backed up by that fact.
Posted by: Heath | February 29, 2008 07:19 AM