S Page 2 Young Earth Theological Argument - continued We would like to take a few moment to respond directly to Elder XX's argument concerning dinosaurs. He stated that Job couldn't have known about dinosaurs because Job lived after the flood. He quotes the article we wrote entitled The Dinosaur Dilemma, in which we clearly state that Noah must have taken dinosaurs in the their infancy state onto the ark, and that they became extinct shortly afterwards. Our article supports this assumption using Job's description of the behemoth in chapter 40, and the leviathan in chapter 41, as well as evidence from cave drawings where ancient men drew anatomically correct dinosaurs (keeping in mind that these ancients weren't privy to the fossils of dinosaurs that are displayed in museums around the world). Elder XX claims, based on study notes in the NIV, that these animals must have been elephants or hippopotamus (the behemoth), and a crocodile (the leviathan). Once again, a literal interpretation of these verses does not support these assumptions, i.e. The animal that is supposed to be an elephant or hippo has a tail like a cedar. As far as we know, elephants and hippos don't have tails that look like cedars. He condescendingly denies that the leviathan could be a fire-breathing dragon based on his assumption and knowledge base that no such creature could have existed; therefore Job must be speaking figuratively - further implying that creatures like the bombardier beetle must also be mythological, since they produce fire. The text describes in detail what we would call toady a "fire-breathing dragon". True, legends speak of such a creature, but often legends have some basis of truth. Our argument, however, is not based on legends but on the Word of God. Elder XX raises the question of why 99% of the dinosaurs were excluded from the ark especially when Genesis 7:3 says that the Lord instructs Noah to take two of every kind of unclean animal onto the ark. The answer to this question lies within the newly developing science of baraminology. Baraminology is a science that is seeking to break all species down to their original base kinds. What that means is if we consider dogs as a family, or a kind, then baraminology is trying to determine what the original two dogs would have been. Noah would have taken the original dinosaur kinds in the ark, not every species of dinosaurs - that would be absurd as well as conflicting with Scripture! Baraminology is based on the study of genetic information and fully appreciates that speciation requires a loss of information, thereby recognizing that the original two of any kind would have contained all the genetic information required for speciation. We understand that this is a newly developing and complex science, but it is part of the mission of Creation Science Alive to be informed about such matters, and it should be the responsibility of anyone questioning our expertise to educate themselves before stepping out to thwart our ministry. Once again, we must repeat that it is not the purpose of this dissertation to scientifically enlighten, but to defend the inerrancy of the creation account as detailed in the Bible. #1 of Elder XX's rebuttal states: "Some folks had a belief which did not originate from Scripture - dinosaurs lived during the same time as people." The Scriptures clearly state that all land, sea, and air creatures were created on days five and six. Unless Elder XX can produce a Scripturally supportable argument that clearly states that the dinosaurs that were crated on days five and six (while God still considered His creation to be "good") also became extinct before Adam was created, then we will strongly restate our position that dinosaurs (created on days five and six) lived at the same time as man (created on day six). Now we will move on to the most disturbing issue inadvertently raised by these arguments. It is truly disturbing because of its theological implications. We sincerely hope Elder XX holds his position of an old earth because he hasn't thoroughly thought it through. An old earth position requires that one believes that the creation days were really long ages. Elder XX indicated that this is his belief, which he believes is supported by geology. Again, an old earth position supposes that God took long ages to create the universe, ultimately ending this sequence with the creation of Adam. Elder XX states that he believes that the creation is 15 billion years old - which is the position supported by evolutionists. (Note: that he errs in this position as well, since 15 billion years is attributed to the age of the cosmos, the age of the earth considered to be considerably less.) According to the genealogies in the Bible, we know that Adam lived approximately 6,000 years ago (see attached chart entitled "The Days of the Patriarchs" Addenda C). That means that the billions of years it took God to create the universe occurred before the creation of Adam (according to "old age" proponents). Jesus clearly states, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning, made them male and female," Matthew 19:4. This verse indicates that man was made at the "beginning", reading more into it is again eisegesis. Mark 10:6 says, "but from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female." We can't imagine Jesus saying God (including the persons of Jesus and the Holy Spirit) made Adam and Eve at the beginning of creation if He really meant billions of years had passed before God created Adam and Eve. This poses quite a problem for progressive creationists (those who believe in the day/age theory), who hold that the creation is 15 billion years old. If Scripture states that Adam was created at the "beginning", how can you argue from the Bible that 15 billion years preceded the creation of Adam? Additionally, geology asserts that the strata layers were laid down slowly, and that the ages of the fossils within different strata layers can be guesstimated by the depth of the strata they exist within - the lower layers indicating longer ages. This is called the fossil index. Here's the problem. The fossil index is unacceptable theologically because it was laid down before Adam. The fossil index is a record of death and destruction. A fundamental evangelical principle is the Fall of Man. Romans 5:12-19 (too long to quote in its entirety) establishes this principle by clearly stating that sin entered the world through one man (Adam) and that death was the result of sin. 1 Cor. 15:12-22 states, "For since by man (Adam) came death, by Man (Christ) also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam we all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive." If we believe in the geological claims of long ages as argued from the strata layers and fossil index, it is not possible to believe that death came into the world through the sin of Adam. This is a theological and intellectual dilemma that we encourage Elder XX to consider. The theological principle of Christ's atoning death due to Adam's sin and consequential death can't be reconciled with a long age position. If death came into the world prior to Adam's sin, then death is not a result of sin. If death is not the result of Adam's sin but the natural course of life, then what atonement for our sin could Christ's death offer? Elder XX's closing statement says, "Never read your beliefs into the Bible, let God tell you what is truth otherwise it could bring embarrassment to the entire church of Jesus Christ (James 3:1)." We fully agree! In all good consciousness, these are serious questions that must be dealt with or they indeed could be very destructive tot he Body of Christ. (NOTE: Don't forget to read the "scientific" argument against the old earth position. Also, the Addendums can be found on the following pages. All Scriptures have been taken from the New King James Version of the Bible, published by Thomas Nelson Publishers.) |