Worldview #13: What happened to the Dinosaurs (Part #2)

God commanded Noah “You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you” (Gen. 6:19).

Last month we considered evidence for the global flood that is discussed in Genesis chapters 6-9, referenced by Jesus and the Apostle Peter (Luke 17:27; 1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 3:5-6), recorded in different people groups’ legends on every inhabited continent, and scientifically verifiable through the fossil record. As a result of the flood many of the dinosaurs became extinct. However, Noah was commanded to take two of every kind of animal onto the ark, this would have included dinosaurs. Several passages validate the existence of dinosaurs after the flood (Job 40-41; Psa. 44:19; Isa. 14:29; 30:6; Jer. 9:11; 14:6; 49:33; 51:34; Mic. 1:8). This leaves us with several questions to consider.

First, how did Noah round up so many animals including dinosaurs? In Genesis 6:20 God told Noah that the animals would come to him. Thus, he did not have to round them up. Beyond that, consider two different factors that would have assisted the animals. At that time all of the continents were joined, creating, Pangaea; so all land animals could have traveled there on foot (The land split apart during the flood).  Another consideration is the amazing migration ability that animals have. Thus, God drew them to the ark.

Second, how did all of the animals fit onto the ark? There are multiple variables that address this question. First, God said that only two of every kind would come to the ark; not every variety. For example, only two dogs were needed to produce the variety of dogs that exist today. Second, the only stipulation of the animals that came was that they needed to be able to reproduce a year later when they came off the ark. And even the largest of animals are not that big during infancy in comparison. This meant that the average size of animal on the ark would have been about the size of a sheep. And third, the ark was an enormous boat (450’ long, 75’ wide, and 45’ high), being able to hold over 500 railroad box cars, each 8’ wide by 40’ long. Therefore, there was more than enough room.

Third, wouldn’t the predators have devoured the other animals? The Bible teaches that every creature (man and animal) was vegetarian until after coming off the ark (Gen. 1:30; 9:3). And it is likely that God caused the animals to go into a hibernation state while on the ark. This made everyone on board safe and sound.

The questions that we have briefly addressed this month can be asked in a similar way to us. Jesus says that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them (John 6:44). So have you responded to His invitation to come? There is more than enough room in the Lord’s house, for He has prepared a place for all who will come (John 14:2).  Thus, are you a follower of Christ (John 14:6)? And are you resting in the security that is found only in Him (John 10:27-29)? 

 In His service,

      Matt  

Elder’s Corner: “Are You Listening?”

 For the last several months as Judy's Alzheimer's disease progressed, she was mostly non-responsive. Many mornings I'm awake but still in bed and I hear talking in the other room. It's Judy. I get up and quietly tiptoe into the front room and go sit by her.  I listen intently and strain at every word to see if reason has returned and what she might have to say.  I ask “are you worried about anything?” “No.” It helps put my mind at ease. Then I say a short “kid” prayer with her. 

Do you long to hear God talking to you every morning? Then listen! God wants you to hear Him. “I like talking to you,” so I continue the conversation with Judy.  She replies unintelligibly. I wish I could decipher what she says. Her thoughts are trapped in a maze in her mind that won't let them out. God has that same desire—that you would talk with Him, share your innermost thoughts and worries with Him. God wants to talk to you, to tell you how much He loves you, to tell you what He has planned for your day and your future-but you don't respond. 

The Bible says God speaks to us in several ways:

1) His Word, Ps. 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:16-17

2) His World, Rom. 1:20  

3) His Will, Col. 1:9

4) His Wisdom, James 1:5

5) His Son, Heb. 1:1-2

6) His Spirit, John 16:13

7) His Will, Rom. 8:28

8) His People, Acts 9:17

9) His Visions, Acts 9:10

My hope is that you will choose to give up a part of your day to carefully listen to what God wants to say to you. I wish that from the depths of my heart—just as much as I wished I could have known what Judy was trying to communicate to me. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God...” Again I would like to say a special “thank you” to all of you who have shared our struggle, with prayers and kindnesses, through this disease and death.      

—Alan

Man, The Image of God #8: The Seriousness of Sin

“For the wages of sin is death...” (Rom. 6:23a).

One writer asked, “What would you put on your list of the most important things to pursue and attain during your life-time? Some of the things that a lot of people would probably put on their list would fall under the categories of wealth, respect, happiness, and health. However, two things that Jesus said should be at the top of our list are avoiding sin and obtaining eternal life” (Pastor Jeff Miles).

Society has a way of downplaying sin, yet Jesus and the Bible do not. Sin is a very serious issue. Studies have proven that sin can add sadness to our hearts. It can lower our self-esteem. It allows bitterness and resentment in. It can leave us with a significant amount of guilt. And it can allow doubt to creep in. But more than any of these things, sin creates separation from God (Kelli Mahoney, What are the Emotional Effects of Sin, see http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/tp/What-Are-The-Emotional-Effects-Of-Sin.htm).  

God hates sin since He is infinitely good and just. He banished Adam and Eve from His presence in the Garden of Eden on account of their sin. He had Joshua and the Israelite army destroy the Canaanites on account of “every abominable act which the Lord hates they have done for their gods” (Deut. 12:31). God had been patient with them for 600 years (Gen. 15:16: Deut. 9:4), yet eventually His justice for their sins had to be served. And it was on account of sin that Moses never entered the Promised Land (Num. 20:12).

So why does God hate sin and consider it to be as serious as He does? “Sin is a violation of God’s law, and His law is a description of His own perfect moral character, a mirror or transcript of divine holiness. We cannot separate God’s law from God Himself. Thus, to commit a sin is not just to break some impersonal, arbitrary rule; rather, it is a rebellion against God personally. To break God’s law is an insult to God, a blow against God, a slap in His face, a contradiction of His very nature” (Jack Cottrell, The Faith Once For All, p. 163).

R.C. Sproul said, “Sin is cosmic treason. Sin is treason against a perfectly pure Sovereign. It is an act of supreme ingratitude toward One to whom we owe everything, to the One who has given us life itself. Have you ever considered the deeper implications of the slightest sin, of the most minute (sin)? What are we saying to our Creator when we disobey Him at the slightest point? We are saying “No” to the righteousness of God. We are saying, “God, Your law is not good. My judgment is better than Yours. Your authority does not apply to me. I am above and beyond Your jurisdiction. I have the right to do what I want to do, not what You command me to do.”

The slightest sin is an act of defiance against cosmic authority. It is a revolutionary act, a rebellious act where we are setting ourselves in opposition to the One to whom we owe everything. It is an insult to His holiness…What could be more serious than this? (Holiness, p. 151-152).

Thankfully, we are not saved by keeping the law; we are saved by grace through faith alone in what Jesus has done for us on the cross (Eph. 2:8-9). “He became sin who knew no sin so that we might become the righteousness of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:21). Even still, we are commanded to avoid sin at all possible cost, for sin is a snare with serious consequences (Mark 9:42-50). Therefore, I encourage you to “throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Eph. 4:22-24 NLT).

In His service,

     Matt

Worldview #13: What happened to the Dinosaurs (Part #1)

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually...The Lord said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them” (Gen. 6:5, 7).

For the past few months we have talked about how dinosaurs coexisted with mankind. This can be proven by considering the historical, archaeological, and Biblical evidences. Yet what happened to the dinosaurs?

 The answer can be found in the fossils. As you may know, “Fossil formation requires a sudden burial. When an animal dies, it usually gets eaten or decays until there is nothing left. To form a fossil, unique conditions are required to preserve the animal and replace it with minerals, etc.

While evolutionists once claimed that the fossil record was formed slowly as animals died and were gradually covered by sediment, they have recently acknowledged that it must involve catastrophic processes (D. Ager, The New Catastrophism). Now, evolutionists say the fossil record formed quickly as animals were quickly engulfed in sediment, in spurts interspersed by millions of years” (Ken Ham, https://answersin genesis.org/dinosaurs/when-did-dinosaurs-live/what-really-happened-to-the-dinosaurs/#fn_2).

We’ve examined what the evolutionists say, but what does the Word of God teach?  To answer this, we need to look at a world-wide event that started in Genesis chapter 6.  As noted in the opening passage, there was a time when everywhere God looked He saw evil in every man’s heart.  And since God is loving and just, He had to carry out justice on account of how immoral and wicked mankind had become. In the process, God destroyed much of the animal kingdom. The justice that God carried out on this wicked and immoral world was a global flood.

Evolutionists reject the idea of a global flood since it would require the supposed evolutionary process to begin again. However, there are several evidences which point to this historical event. First, there are billions of creatures which are fossilized all over the world. Fossilization requires quick burial, something rarely occurring today.  And to see fossils like this around the world, not just in areas highly prone to mudslides, volcanoes, etc.

The second piece of evidence for a global flood is fossils of sea creatures found high above sea level which can be observed on every continent. For example, most of the rock layers in the walls of the Grand Canyon contain marine fossils including at the rim of the canyon which is between 7,000-8,000 feet above sea level (R. L. Hopkins & K.L. Thompson, Kaibab Formation, p. 196-211). Also marine gastropods have been found near the highest point in the world of the Himalayas (J.P. Davidson, W.E. Reed, & P.M. Davis, “The Rise & Fall of Mountain Ranges,” in Exploring Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology, p. 242–247). There is only one possible explanation: the ocean waters at some time in the past flooded the continents, reaching above even the highest mountain.  

The third piece of evidence for a global flood looks at flood legends which “abound on every inhabited continent. The number of legends has been reported as high as five hundred. Their similarities to Genesis indicate a common source. For example, legends from Assyrio-Babylonia, Asia Minor, China, India, Persia, and the Cherokee people of the United States tell of birds being sent out, often even specifying a dove and/or a raven. Several of them tell of a favored family, and in the vast majority, the flood was global. These and other similarities point to a very real, historical event” (AIG, Flood Legends From Around the World, https://answersingenesis.org/the-flood/flood-legends/resource-preview-flood-legends-around-world/).

And the forth piece of evidence for a global flood is the Biblical record. Genesis chapters 6-9 give the details of the flood, how long it lasted, and why it took place. The New Testament writings also affirm the global flood taking place. Jesus affirmed that it took place. “In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:27 NLT). And so did the Apostle Peter (1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 3:5-6).

Thus, when one considers the requirements of creating a fossil —rapid burial and a catastrophic event, the global flood may have been one of the reasons many of the dinosaurs to become extinct. Before the flood, dinosaurs freely roamed the earth. But due to man’s wickedness, God sent a global flood that destroyed all life that was not inside the ark. During the flood, many were buried in sediment that later hardened, thus giving us the fossils scientists now study.

Next month we will consider other factors, but for now, let us consider the lesson which the fossils testify about from their grave. Mankind, with the exception of those who were on the ark, experienced God’s justice on account of their immorality, and much of creation suffered through this judgment, namely many of the dinosaurs. One day, God’s justice will once again and finally be carried out on those who are not faithful followers of Christ, yet then it will not be by the waters of a flood but rather by fire (2 Peter 3:7). It is my prayer that you would be found safe in Christ on that day similar to how Noah was safe in the ark when the flood came.

In His service,

     Matt

Elder's Corner: Words You Never Want To Hear

“It's terminal cancer.” “It's an inoperable brain tumor.” “It's Alzheimer’s.”  “It's your wife, or husband, or son, or daughter.” Sometimes we don't have a choice when the doctor lowers his voice and gives us the diagnosis.  But I want to talk about something in which you do have a choice. A question I have for you is what is the saddest verse or scripture in the Bible?  Here is one of my picks: Deuteronomy 32:48-52 (NASB). “That same day the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Moab, to the mountains east of the river, and climb Mount Nebo, which is across from Jericho. Look out across the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the people of Israel as their own possession. Then you will die there on the mountain and join your ancestors, just as Aaron, your brother, died on Mount Hor and joined his ancestors. For both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites at the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. You failed to demonstrate My holiness to the people of Israel there. So you will see the land from a distance, but you may not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.”

Moses had been chosen by God to lead His people, the Israelites, out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. God performed many miracles through Moses to get Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to let the Israelites leave. Moses had been disobedient to God in performing a miracle at Meribah (see Num. 20:6-13) So God chose Joshua to replace Moses and lead His people (Deut. 31:3).

A couple of observations from Deuteronomy 32.  First, Moses was 120 years old at the time and still able to climb mountains. — That's impressive.  Second, God told Moses to do something a certain way but Moses thought “his own way” was better.  Do you ever do that? Think your way is better or question why God wants us to follow His way.  His way will lead to holiness, when we let Him be in charge.  This story reminds me of the game show “Let's make a Deal.”  Moses passed up Door #1 (the Promised Land) for the “zonk” prize because he wanted to do it “his way.”  God told him to climb the mountain and see what he had missed.  God expects us to listen to Him—to be holy!  So I can choose that response to His love and expect this phrase from Him:  “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord” (just like the servant in Matt. 25:21).  

--Alan

Man, The Image of God #7: Do All Babies Go to Heaven? (Part #3)

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Pro. 22:6)

This past month school started. Public education can be a wonderful thing. We have been blessed with many wonderful teachers and staff members here in Eugene and the surrounding areas. Yet educating our kids is not just something that is to take place in the classroom, we as parents have a huge responsibility.

Over the past 2 months we have considered how the doctrine of original sin (that mankind inherited sin from Adam and Eve) is not Biblical. A person cannot be held accountable for the sins of their parents or children (Ezek. 18:4, 20; Rom. 14:12). And Scripture confirms that originally all people are created morally upright just like Adam and Eve were (Ecc. 7:29).

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul spoke of a time in which he was alive spiritually but then when the law came, he says that he died spiritually (Rom. 7:8-9).  The only time then that a person could be alive spiritually in the absence of God’s law is prior to them understanding good from evil, right from wrong (Deut. 1:39; Jonah 4:11; Rom. 9:11).

From these passages we find the doctrine of original grace, every person who does not come to the point of understanding right from wrong yet perishes is assured of their salvation. This naturally leads to the doctrine of the age of accountability. When a child does understand right from wrong they are now accountable for their sins.

Unfortunately, Scripture tells us that at that point all sin, and thus, die spiritually just like Paul explained (Rom. 3:23; 7:9).   This places a huge responsibility upon us as parents. The Bible teaches that we are to raise up our kids in the ways of the Lord. Dr. James Dobson said, “There is nothing more important to most Christian parents than the salvation of their children.”

The Lord commands us to tell our kids about the Lord as we go through life (Deut. 6:6-7). So don’t just drop your kids off at the mall. Go with them. Talk to them about what they see. When they see the outfits that have necklines that meet the hemlines; it is an educational moment. Ask your kids what they think an outfit like that is trying to tell you about your bodies, and how you should think about yourself? What do you think that that kind of outfit will tell others when they see you in it? What do you think that boys will think when they see you in it? This should be the case in all of life. So while you are watching TV, use it as a teaching moment to discuss what is going on. Class is always in session, and dad and mom are the teachers. That is what Scripture commands us to do. Remember, this is about the salvation of your kids.

As parents we are to teach our kids about the Lord through our words and through our actions. If you want your kids to follow the Lord, do you follow Him? Sadly, there is not much difference between the majority of Christian parents and parents who are not Christians. So are you modeling what a Christian is supposed to look like?

Can they tell by your actions that your faith in Christ matters to you? Do you communicate with God on a daily basis through prayer, and reading the Bible? Are you actively a part of His body, the church? And are you taking part in the Great Commission through sharing your faith?

Remember, there is nothing more important than the salvation of your kids. Therefore, may we as parents teach our kids about the Lord and model what it means to be a genuine Christian to them.    

In His service,

     Matt

Worldview #12: Dangerous Assumptions

Have you ever assumed something only to later find out that you were completely wrong? Chances are, we all have. Maybe for you, you assumed that you had packed everything you needed for a vacation. Or maybe, it was assuming that a car behind you saw your brake-lights. Or maybe it was something else.

Yes, there is no getting around it, we all assume certain things. Most of us assume that our cars are going to start. We assume that we are going to reach our destination on our vacations. Often, we assume that our friends and family members are doing well, etc., etc. However, the less assumptions that a person can have the better. This is clearly the case concerning one’s worldview. Worldview assumptions can lead to Christ-less eternities and radically affect the way one lives here and now.

One area related to worldviews that people frequently make assumptions relates to the creation of the universe, its age, and the topic of dinosaurs. Frequently, as scientists study the universe and the fossil record, they make assumptions about the past by examining dinosaur fossils in the present. This is known as historical or origins science. “Origins science deals with the past, which is not accessible to direct experimentation, whereas operational science deals with how the world works in the here and now, which, of course, is open to repeatable experiments” (Ken Ham, The New Answers Book, p. 152).

A problem with studying fossils is that they do not have a label attached to them showing their date. R. L. Mauger of East Carolina University wrote about modern dating in Contributions To Geology: “In general, dates in the ‘correct ball park’ are assumed to be correct and are published, but those in disagreement with other data are seldom published nor are the discrepancies fully explained” (V.15 (1): 17).  In fact, Dr. Don Patton cited scientist Roger Lewin who examined a skull that was found. The tests provided “41 separate age determinations...which varied between 223 million and 0.91 million years...after the first determination they never again obtained 2.61 million from their experiments” (Bones of Contention, p. 194). Yet they published the 2.61 million, which was in disagreement with the 40 others. Thus, what they assumed beforehand was what was published.

There are multiple assumptions that evolutionary scientists make. First, the current rate is extrapolated into the past. Second, the starting value is assumed. And third, little or no allowance is made for contamination into the system beyond what we measure today.  Then based on these faulty assumptions, evolutionary scientists conclude incorrect ideas concerning dinosaurs, an old universe, that the Bible is inaccurate, and that God does not exist.

Thankfully, we do not have to make these dangerous assumptions because we have the testimony of the Creator of the universe in the Bible; and His testimony can be verified throughout creation, and history.

 In His service,

      Matt