Worldview #13: What happened to the Dinosaurs (Part #3)

“In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month--on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights” (Gen. 7:11-12).

Last month we talked about how the land animals survived the global flood which is outlined in the Bible and confirmed by almost every ancient civilization. Included among these land animals on the ark were dinosaurs. As we have discussed before, the Bible specifically lists 4 different kinds of dinosaurs. All of which are attested to having existed after the flood that took place some 4,500 years ago.

Many will object to the existence of dinosaurs within the last 4,500 years. However, since 2005, scientists have discovered soft tissues in a T. Rex bone which would be impossible if dinosaurs died off millions of years ago (see https://answersingenesis.org/dinosaurs/when-did-dinosaurs-live/solid-answers-soft-tissue/). Therefore, while some of the dinosaurs did die off as a result of the flood, many did not. So what happened to the dinosaurs?

Many of the dinosaurs died for a variety of reasons. First, conditions after the flood were drastically different. Genesis 7:1-12 describes 3 places from which the water originated for the flood (“the springs of the great deep”-the oceans, “the floodgates of the heavens” -the canopy, and “rain.”). The second of these is frequently missed yet has great significance. Basically, the Bible is teaching that prior to the flood, the earth was surrounded by a layer of water in the atmosphere (Gen. 1:6-8). This would have meant that the entire world was like a giant greenhouse. This enabled people and animals to live way beyond any normal life expectancy today. Yet during the flood, the canopy came down and, as a result, the life expectancy of all living beings was drastically reduced! For some creatures this even meant their extinction. 

Within a century after the flood, mankind once again rebelled against God at the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11). Therefore, God brought judgment upon some of the world through an ice age and the diversifying of the language into the almost 7,000 languages in our world today. Geologist Dr. Andrew Snelling said, “We know from the fossil record that they faced constant local flooding, dust storms, super-volcanoes, massive earthquakes, meteorites, and downpours of snow or rain on a scale never before seen” (When Was the Ice Age in Biblical History?; available from https://answersingenesis.org/environmental-science/ice-age/when-was-the-ice-age-in-biblical-history/).

Some of the dinosaurs that survived for a while after the ice age likely were referred to as “dragons.” Most of these eventually died out or were killed. Other reasons for their extinction could be starvation, disease, and hunting pressure” (Ken Ham, The New Answers Book, p. 353). Yet maybe a better question is, did all dinosaurs actually go extinct (see the following video for more information, Creation Seminar 3 - Kent Hovind - Dinosaurs, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsQIF7Yh3hI&t=3994s)?

The truths that dinosaurs share about God’s creation, man’s sin, death, the global flood, and ice age uphold the authority of Scripture and the Biblical worldview.

In His service,

            Matt

Elder’s Corner: Uniting the Nation

We cannot be followers of Christ and followers of sin at the same time. After examining some post-election information, I find it interesting what people from different faiths have to say. Now that the media and society have stopped talking about the two presidential candidates, I thought that everything was “done, finite or no mas.” Instead, it looks like the issue has just started.

While it is not/nor was not the place for us as a church to openly endorse any candidate, we do recognize that there were Christians on all sides of this election. However, the riots, protests, and fighting or the behavior that has been demonstrated by those opposed to the results of the election only divides people, families, cities and countries. Division is one of Satan’s most effective strategies. Therefore, may we never forget that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but that it is a spiritual battle against Satan and his hosts as they seek to lead people astray and cause division among God’s people (Eph. 6:11-16).

If we successfully unite our nation that currently appears to be so divided, we must seek the Lord’s help. First, we are to pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2). And second, we must submit to those in authority and do what is right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, and honor those in authority (1 Peter 2:13-17).

—Enrique

Man, The Image of God #9: Sin in the Life of a Christian

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).

As embarrassing as it is, I have a confession to make…I still struggle with certain sins at times. Chances are, you can relate to this as well. The Apostle Paul confessed that he too struggled with sin (Rom. 7:14-25). And as we saw last month, sin is serious. God in His perfect love, holiness, and justice must punish sin. For if He does not, He is not truly loving, holy or just as He would be leaving crimes unpunished. Yet what about God’s justice concerning sin in the life of a follower of Christ? Thus, what happens when a Christian sins? 

There are several things that need to be considered about sin in the life of a believer. First, their legal standing before God is unchanged. Romans 8:1 states, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” God tells us in His Word that when we became followers of Christ that “He forgave us all our sins” (Col. 2:13). Thus, the punishment for our sins: past, present and future was dealt with on the cross (Col. 2:14). Does this mean that we can just go on sinning since we have received God’s grace? By no means! (Rom. 6:1–2).

Second, God convicts believers of their sins. This was clearly the case with the Apostle Paul. He agonized over his sins that he struggled with as a believer (Rom. 7:23-24). Paul’s heart was saddened by his guilt of sin. David expressed this same emotion as he recognized the seriousness of his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband (Ps. 51). All true believers experience God’s conviction of their sins. And thankfully the letter of First John was written to believers and it includes the remedy which removes God’s conviction. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

However, if the believer continues in that sin, they experience God’s hand of discipline (Heb. 12:5-11). Just as discipline from our earthly parents was painful as a child, so too is discipline from our Heavenly Father painful. Thus, there are times in which believers experience sickness, great trials, and hardships as a result of God’s discipline. This was the case for certain individuals who partook of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner, such as having unconfessed sin in their lives (1 Cor. 11:27-32). Sometimes God’s hand of discipline in the life of a believer can even include death before their time (1 Cor. 11:30).

Fourth, if a Christian has unconfessed sin in their life, God refuses to answer their prayers (Ps. 66:18; Isa. 59:1-2). Thus, the fellowship that the believer shares with God can be damaged and disrupted. Wayne Grudem said, “When we sin, even though God does not cease to love us, He is displeased with us. Even among human beings, it is possible to love someone and be displeased with that person at the same time, as any parent will attest, or any wife, or any husband” (Systematic Theology, pg. 504). This, along with the other consequences of sin in the life of a Christian are meant to bring about repentance and restoration of our relationship with God.

Fifth, when we as Christians sin, we can suffer the loss of heavenly rewards (1 Cor. 3:15; 9:25-27).  “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully” (2 John 1:8).

And sixth, a believer who continues in sin can find their spiritual life being choked out. Next month we will consider what this means in detail. But for now, let us once again recognize the seriousness of sin, confess them to God, and thank Him for the deliverance that we have through Christ (Rom. 7:25). 

In His service,

     Matt