Though Christianity has stood for ages, the implications to the origin of dinosaurs and their place in the grand scheme of creationism remains posed in the minds of many. Christianity believes that God, who is eternal and all-knowing, created the universe, according to the book of Genesis. Consequently, believers must reconcile the facts of science with the requirements of faith. In order to find answers, Christianity must be matched against the scientific record of dinosaurs.
In the Bible, God is credited with having created all things, including plants, human beings, and animals. According to theologians, He used His immense intelligence and understanding to create life of varying order and complexity. A few famous Christian doctrines, such as the atonement and the fall, differ greatly from the scientific view of dinosaurs and their extinction.
The scientific consensus is that dinosaurs originated during the Mesozoic Era, about 250 million years ago. Furthermore, it is widely accepted that the dinosaurs went extinct about 66 million years ago. These two main events of the dinosaur’s history live outside of the timeline mentioned in the Bible. This timeline stretches from Adam and Eve’s creation at 6,000 years ago to Jesus’s resurrection at A.D. 33.
To reconcile science and religion, some believers state that the dinosaurs were made by God to modify the environment for the other creatures. This belief proposes that God could have “salted” the planet with extinct species to make room for new creatures, in accordance with His plan. Unfortunately, this is not an explanation that satisfies most scientists, since it ignores the actual evidence of dinosaur ancestry as seen in the fossil record.
Another belief system suggests that God created dinosaurs, but they went extinct since they no longer fit in his plans. In other words, creationists propose that God adapted the planet’s environment in stages, making sure it was suitable for life. Dinosaurs, they argue, were part of the process but became extinct when it was necessary. However, this too can’t explain the origin and appearance of dinosaurs, as most believe it is likely that the majority of species developed through natural processes.
A more satisfactory answer for Christians might be found in the concept of theistic evolution. This theory claims that God created the universe, but used the process of evolution, which is supported by science, to bring about diversity and complexity in creatures, including the dinosaurs. It maintains that the Biblical stories tell of a creative force engaged in a long-term process of creation, and that the scientific evidence, such as the fossil record and geological timescale, can explain how dinosaurs were created and why they went extinct.
A Look at the Dinosaurs’ Time of Existence in Christianity
Although there are several theories as to how dinosaurs could be incorporated into the Christian faith, there is no definitive answer. It is just assumed that they lived on Earth before the time described in the Bible. For instance, the Book of Job includes a description of Behemoth, which may be a reference to a long-necked, quadrupedal dinosaur. In addition, the Bible states in Job 40:15-24 that “Behold now Behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.” This is most likely a reference to a large herbivorous dinosaur.
Other instances in the Bible point towards the existence of dinosaurs, such as when God mentions a creature “greater than the camel” in Job 39:19-24 and when He talks about animals that existed prehistorically in Job 40:13-24 and Psalm 74:13-14. As there is no evidence presented to refute these verses, some religious believers take them as proof that dinosaurs did indeed exist prior to the recorded history found in the Bible.
The Extinction of Dinosaurs in Christianity
The prevailing scientific consensus is that the dinosaurs perished due to an asteroid collision or due to a massive change in the climate, as evidenced by fossil records. However, Christians often take the view that the extinction was part of God’s plan. Many believers agree with the idea that God had a reason for eliminating the dinosaurs, but what this reason was is still a deep mystery.
Some religious believers claim that the extinction of the dinosaurs took place as part of a plan of divine retribution and judgement. One popular explanation is that the dinosaurs were so numerous that they devoured nearly all of the resources in their habitats and ended up dying because of it.
Others argue that while it is possible that the extinction of dinosaurs was part of a plan, this is an idea that remains unsubstantiated. Some believe that the extinction of dinosaurs was due to an asteroid collision, which was beyond God’s control. As such, it is difficult to definitively describe the exact cause of their extinction.
Substantiating The Claims of Dinosaur Existence
Though there is no explicit mention of dinosaurs in the Bible, evidence from ancient fossils and artefacts can give further insight into their origin and classification in Christian belief systems. In addition, fossil records provide key evidence of their existence, as well as the range of species and habitats of the dinosaur community. Furthermore, looking to more recent scientific and archaeological research on dinosaurs, such as new dinosaur discoveries, dating techniques, and other experiments provides more proof of the dinosaur’s existence.
It is also important to consider the mystical and spiritual aspects of dinosaurs for Christians. As an example, St. Francis of Assisi was said to have spoken to a nocturnal creature some people believe may have been a dinosaur. Such stories demonstrate the mystical and unseen side of Christianity and offer further proof of the existence of dinosaurs in Christian belief.
How Christianity Deals with Other Scientific Discrepancies
The theological talking point of how to reconcile faith and science has been around as long as religion itself. In addition to the evolution of dinosaurs, there is often a discrepancy between the way things occurred in nature and the way they are described in the Bible. For example, the universe’s age is estimated to be billions of years old, while the Bible claims the universe was created in six days. As such, many religious believers contend that much of the scientific data is actually written within an evolutionary context and that it should be taken with a grain of salt.
Ultimately, it is up to individuals to decide how they want to incorporate scientific discoveries into their own faith. For example, many Christian denominations today follow the idea of “theistic evolution”, which teaches that God works through natural processes to bring about life. Others, however, reject all evidence of modern science and instead ascribe to creationism, which teaches that God is capable of performing miraculous acts while still respecting physical laws.
Conclusion
Though the origin of dinosaurs and their place in the Christian faith remain contested issues, it is clear that religious believers have different theories and opinions on the matter. By looking to scientific evidence, such as the fossil record, and by considering both the physical and spiritual aspects of dinosaur existence and extinction, Christians can ultimately form a more informed and complete approach to understanding the role of these creatures in the eyes of their faith.
