The Question of the Dinosaurs

[brnidokiegurl 1]

Bible Commentaries

Dinosaurs Real or Not?

There are three common views concerning the dinosaur question -- two of which hinge on how one answers the question of whether the “six days of creation” represents a literal six days or six eras of time. It is truly an enigma that there is not one overt mention of the existence of dinosaurs in the scriptures. Apparently, the dinosaur question is not fall into an area of priority in the eternal scope of God. With that in mind, the following are the common views.

1. Under the Literal Six Days Understanding

A. Dinosaurs Never Existed. There is too much archeological evidence which contradicts this view to support it. While we may not agree with how scientists interpret this evidence, we cannot ignore with integrity the intact sets of fossilized bones which have been discovered.

B. Greenhouse View - This view interprets the “firmament above” (mentioned in Genesis) as a reference to a layer of atmospheric water which formed a protective covering for the earth. Because the particular rays of the sun which are known to accelerate the aging process were blocked by this shield, both people and animals lived much longer lives. Because reptiles are known to keep growing until they die, its conceivable to conclude that “the longer they live, the bigger they will grow.” This was the state of world before the Great Flood according to this view. The rains of the Great Flood came from underwater springs and the emptying of the atmospheric protective firmament. The flood killed the living dinosaurs, and because the aging rate of living creatures was significantly increased with the absence of the protective layer, the dinosaurs remained extinct.

2. Under the Six Eras Understanding

A. The dinosaurs lived and became extinct before the creation of humankind.

B. The Greenhouse View as stated above.

If I was forced to make a choice between the above, I would favor the greenhouse view. But since I am not forced, I will chose -- at least at this point --to leave the question in the realm of mystery, since the Scriptures themselves make no effort whatsoever to answer this question.

Dennis Russell M.Miss,(Abilene Christian University)

M.Div (Oral Roberts University)

[Otto 83]

Lets see...

• Bible 2007 years old..
  
• Dinosaurs 65+ million years old..hmmm..
  

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

God created everything (not at once silly), gave living things free will and some species died out.

LuckyStrike's super brief history of everything.

[almaty 19]

sounds good to me...................so, the movie encino man was fiction?

[Otto 83]

God created everything (not at once silly), gave living things free will and some species died out.

LuckyStrike's super brief history of everything.

That's kinda lengthy...can you trim that a bit next time?...

p.s.

I think you're on target - people take creationism a tad too Magician-Like...

Edited March 27, 2007 by Karin und Otto

[Nagishkaw 510]

God created everything (not at once silly), gave living things free will and some species died out.

LuckyStrike's super brief history of everything.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

The Bible was written by Man, its accuracy & interpretation should be questioned.

Science trumps theology & Religious Opinions.

[Mags 112]

Yeah, I'll stick to science thankye very much...

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Science and God don't have to be diametrically opposed.

Great read.

http://www.thegodtheory.com/

[Mirorgate 0]

sounds good to me...................so, the movie encino man was fiction?

mmmm... nuggins.. pa'uly. and take another hit on the bong

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Where does the asteroid theory of mass extinction 65 million years ago fit into things?

[Mirorgate 0]

Where does the asteroid theory of mass extinction 65 million years ago fit into things?

Scientists would have to plow another asteroid into the earth to prove that one... but who'd be around to admire their work after that??

[KarenCee 3]

My Old Testament History (it was a real history class, not religion) professor in college explained dinosaurs this way. He said that between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 is what many scholars consider the "Gap Theory" in which the dinosaurs existed. Naturally this blows the literal creationist theory out of the water. Sounds good to me.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Where does the asteroid theory of mass extinction 65 million years ago fit into things?

Scientists would have to plow another asteroid into the earth to prove that one... but who'd be around to admire their work after that??

I think there is some geological evidence to prove that a collision event took place around that time.

[KEN's ROSE 0]

Wasn't the firmament a comet in the night sky? thus spreading the 'seeds of life' to grow on Earth.

According to the Christian bible time began 4004BC