- When Were Dinosaurs Even Created and Creation?
- Fate of the Dinosaurs at Fall
- Behemoth, Leviathan and Biblical Dinosaurs
- How Did the Flood Affect the Dinosaurs?
- Reconciling Science and Faith
- Dinosaurs in Conclusion as Part of God’s Creation
Dinosaurs are wonderful animals that walked the earth in olden times, and tons of Christians wonder about where these monsters could have been hanging out during all those complicated days of creation. So today, we will see how the alignment of these time-old creatures might interweave with a grand plan as described in The Bible.
When Were Dinosaurs Even Created and Creation?
The Bible states in Genesis 1 that land animals were created on the sixth day along with all other creatures. Although it doesn’t explicitly say dinosaurs, some believe they could have been included as “beasts of the earth.” The word “dinosaur” was only created in the 19th century, well after Genesis; hence they are not specifically called out by name as part of scripture.
According to literal views of Genesis, dinosaurs existed together with other animals and also alongside humans at the age dawned. Others, such as old-earth creationists, interpret the “days” of Genesis in this understanding to represent long periods that could allow dinosaurs (albeit placid ones) to have lived tens and hundreds of millions of years before humans walked on earth.
Fate of the Dinosaurs at Fall
Sin entered the perfect harmony of creation that had been established at the beginning through Adam and Eve’s disobedience. In other words, this action brought death and suffering into all creation… according to the Bible. For those who must read the Bible as though it was a science textbook, that means dinosaurs (like all living things) only began death in sin after The Fall.
On the other hand, some suggest that animal death actually pre-dated the Fall by millions of years (dinosaurs and all), long before humans ever existed. Now, to be more specific in the case of humanity, it is arguable that this sin affected our spiritual situation but did not interrupt or cause death any earlier than before — at least for humans who came first on Earth.
Behemoth, Leviathan and Biblical Dinosaurs
Although the Bible never explicitly mentions dinosaurs, it describes other large creatures such as Behemoth and Leviathan in the Book of Job. The Giant Creature Called the Behemoth is depicted as a plant-eating animal whose size would be equal to that of a mountain, and it has a tail like a cedar tree (or more likely holding up tall in grass). Some have tentatively identified this with a sauropod dinosaur. The “Leviathan” is a sea monster or creature referred to in the Bible as an enemy; some biblical scholars interpret it as either a mythological animal, a Canani demon serpent (water dragon), representing chaos/evilness.
The legends of the Rougarou arise from descriptions that may document ancient people’s encounters with creatures which are long dead, or they could be symbolic depictions of powerful, unpredictable beings. Dinosaurs or not, they are a testament to the awe and majesty of God’s creation.
How Did the Flood Affect the Dinosaurs?
Of most interest was the question of whether dinosaurs were destroyed in Noah’s Flood. Dinosaurs were around at the time of Noah, say many young-earth creationists – and they may have been on board. Instead, they record that the post-flood environment likely precipitated their decline into extinction.
Some even argue dinosaurs disappeared millions of years before the flood, and dozens do because remains are found together in bone beds. Others believe it did impact them 5000+ years ago. However, for these believers, the flood and dinosaur extinction are two different things (FACT: There is enough fossil record to indicate an earth that is far older than a literal reading of Genesis would suggest).
Reconciling Science and Faith
Dinosaurs in the Bible is a topic that brings to light some crucial questions about science and faith. For some Christians, science is simply another way of getting to know the creative processes God used, while for others, the biblical account and modern scientific accounts really are in conflict.
A middle way between the two extremes is to see evidence of God’s great creativity in the fossil record. Although the Bible does not give us every scientific detail, that still is ok for we already have a spiritual understanding of nature about creation, sin, and redemption which can go hand in glove with what we are learning in natural history.
Dinosaurs in Conclusion as Part of God’s Creation
But surely it is the fate of the dinosaurs, so what happened? They may have roamed with human beings or they went extinct millions of years ago, but they were definitely a creature created by God. Their very existence—evidenced in the fossil record (for them as well) or biblical references—signifies a Creator who created a vast and marvelous world full of variety.
In the end, a Bible and dinosaurs account simply reminds us that God’s nature is broad and deep, encouraging awe of His power & creativity. Through faith and/or science, understanding the wonder of creation is still unfolding—energy being added to understand God’s great plan.
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