Death Before Adam

[Russell Roberts]

Anyone who has ever dug a foxhole, posthole, or any other kind of hole may have noticed the change in the color of the dirt as you dug further down. Thats because the earth is deposited in layers known as strata. The further down you dig, the older the dirt, or rock.

It is only in the most recent or upper layers that archaeologists find evidence of humans. Further down, however, there are all kinds of dinosaur bones. In other words, zillions of animal bones lie beneath humans in the fossil record. How can we explain this?

[Tracy]

A great article addressing human and dionsaur fossils can be found at the following link:


http://www.answersingenesis.org/article ... s-together

[Russell Roberts]

Tracy, are you familar with the Hebrew word 'bara' translated as 'create'?

If so, you are probably familiar with the fact that it doesn't refer to 'create' in the way we think of it. It refers to assigning FUNCTION to some material aspect of creation.

For example, one might say that they have 'created' a corporation. That wouldn't refer to causing something to come into material existence but to assigning a function.

[Tracy]

The article is really great--lots of help in understanding why we don't find humans and dinosaurs together in the fossil record. There is no reason to doubt what a straight-forward reading of the Bible teaches us--no death before Adam.

I love this picture:

[Full Quiver]

Well at the very least Adam lived hundreds of years longer than the original animals mentioned in the 6 day creation.

[Poimen]

Here's a related link, though not an answer to the specific question, that may be of interest: http://75.125.60.6/~creatio1/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=24

[beckrl]

Isn't that what Peter was refering to that the world [social order] that then was, being overflowed with water, perished? I don't think he was refering to Noah.

2 Peter 3:
5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Gen.1:6,9
6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

[dolfan]

The Bible and archaeological artificats, taken together, can furnish scientifically rewarding study without a doubt. I am very slow to let the fossil record inform me about whether God created, because the proposition nearly always comes from a skeptical angle. The creation was not intended to prove to us that God is; we're taught that He created all things because it pleases Him to have done so. Creation has nothing to offer me about "did God create this"? Yes, He did. So, I start with God and let the creation speak to me about Him. In that respect, there is a lot to be learned; otherwise, seems to me that "scientists" set about reformulating the ways to doubt the Truth and exploit the fossil record for that purpose.

[Russell Roberts]

Dolfan,

Scientists can neither confirm nor deny the existence of God. Science cannot deal with the metaphysical but with the physical aspects of reality. The conclusions one might reach based on science are two different things. The theory of evolution has nothing to say about God. Only about how he might have created.

Frances Collins, former head of the Human Genome Project and founder of the Bilogos Foundation is no intellectual slouch. You should check out is site if you get the change.

[scooter]

I'm just curious if there are any scriptures which would lead one to believe that we, humans in this time period and place, are the only thing God has ever done?

[Russell Roberts]

Not that I'm aware of Scooter.

[scooter]

Not that I'm aware of Scooter.

Response: I think it's kind of narrow minded or at least self centered to think that we are the only thing that God has ever done in eternity.

Truth is "the earth being without form and void" does not equate to God saying let there be land where there was none. He spoke to something that already existed, even if it was covered in water, or existed in some way before.

[Russell Roberts]

What an excellent point Scooter.

I am in the process of reading a book entitled "The Lost World of Genesis One". In it, the author, John Walton explains that the Hebrew word 'bara' refers not to the creation of material but to assigning it a function. He contends, and I think he makes a great case for his argument, that God was putting into place a cosmic temple...a place for God to dwell.

This would go a long way towards explaining the Sabbath which has puzzled me for some time. The place where 'gods' rested in that culture was in their temples. I think you would like the book Scooter.

Excellent point brother.

[MacUser]

Just a random fleeting comment here.. BUT why not, eh?

Do we submit to/accept/give greater credit to proven scientific facts over Faith? If scientific facts prove out your personal faith.. is it increased? If it disproves it.. is it decreased?

Facts say that you are Born, Live, and Die. The End. Did you find the answer you really wanted?

Faith says that you are Born of purpose, Live Graciously via Jesus, Die expectantly with Hope... and enter into an amazing Eternal Life.


Another idea is that deception is key here or the idea that God is holding out on us... and we don't know the "Full TRUTH" etc. The serpent in the Garden.. did this to Eve.. by essentially telling her that God was holding out on them and that God must not want you to know ALL and if you do this.. you won't be dumb / average but intellectual etc.

We have to examine whom is telling us these things... clear as mud?

[Russell Roberts]

Mac, that was indeed clear as mud to me.

I'm not sure what you are saying.