Torch, Summer 1993

buried during the Flood. The Flood was a devastating event that completely wiped life from the earth-except for the animals on board the Ark with Noah. Many of the fossils we find, including dinosaurs, show. they were buried quickly, catastrophically, and possibly alive. As the Flood waters rose, some animals were able to escape to higher ground for a short time. Eventually the water rose so high that animals were forced to swim to stay afloat. Eventually they drowned. Dead carcasses then floated, eventually sank, and were buried. The events of Noah's Flood are responsible for the many dinosaur skeletons and fossil graveyards we find today. Many ------'-'al::in:::o::saurs died during the Flood, but thi is not when they became extinct. Noah took dinosaurs on the Ark with him since he took two of every kind of land animal (Genesis 7:2). Many might wonder how he could do this because the dinosaurs were so large. ow could he possibly have had room for the ? Noah did not have to take full-grown, adult animals on board. He could have taken youngeI", smaller animals. Dinosaurs came out of the Ark and set foot onto a completely different world. Instead of the warm tropical paradise that had existed before the Flood, they found a harsh world and a climate which soon brought about the Ice Age. Behemoth, leviathan, and other dinosaurs were survivors of the Flood, but probably had a hard time making a comeback because of the new and adverse climatic conditions which may have included limited food sources. Climate and food may not have been their only hardship. According to Genesis 9:2,3 there was a new arrangement between man and animals. It was at this point that God put the fear of man into animals and gave them to man as food . If climatic hardships did not cause dinosaur extinction, man's desire to hunt and kill them may have. Although many dinosaurs died during the Flood, it wasn't until after the Flood that they became extinct. How Lons Aso Djd •he Djnosaurs Ljye1 From the evidence supporting dinosaur and human coexistence, it should be obvious that dinosaurs did not become extinct millions of years ago. However, there is some other evidence which suggests recent extinction of the dinos urs. The Creation Research Science Education Foundation, a group of scientist ram Columbus, Ohio, has discovered the presence of radioactive carbon 14 (14C) in dinosaur bones. According to theory, significant amounts of 14C cannot exist beyond 50,000 years. According to evolution, dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago. There is no possible way 14C could have survived this long. The mere presence of 14C in dinosaur bones proves they are not millions, but only thousands of years old. Why js a Creaijonj Yjew of Djnosaurs So lmponani As we have seen, there is ample evidence for the creationist view of dinosaurs. Yet many scientists be "eve For further reading and information: Recen"t Books Dinosaurs by Design.• Presents older children with And God Said. Provides young children with illustrations and short, written accounts of what happened on each day of Creation. By Martha S. Riedel (1989). lllustrated by Dan Riedel. Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt. Order from Word Publishing. The Answers Book.• Provides answers to popu lar questions about Genesis and science (gap theory, Cain's wife, etc.). By Ken A. Ham (rev. 1991). El Cajon, CA: Master Books. Bones ofContention. Gives scientific evidence for creationism from the study of fossils. By Marvin L. Lubenow (1992). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. D is for Dinosaur.• Presents children with educating and enjoyable information about dinosaurs and creationism. By Ken A. Ham (1991). Santee, CA: Master Books. 14 Torch interesting facts about the origin and lives of dinosaurs. By Duane T. Gish (1992). El Cajon, CA: Creation-Life Publishers. Evolution, the Challenge ofthe Fossil Record.• Shows how fossil evidence does not support evolution. By Duane T. Gish (1985). El Cajon, CA: Creation-Life Publishers. The Long War Against God.* Traces the history of evolution and shows the negative impact it has had on society. By Henry M. Morris (1989). Grand Rapids, Ml: Baker Book House. What is Creation Science?* Gives scientific evidence for creationism without reference to religion or the Bible. By Henry M. Morris & Gary E. Parker (1982). San Diego, CA: Creation-Life Publishers. * Contact the Insti lute for Creation Research for a catalog listing of these and other helpful books. the evolutionary model because God has no part in this theory. Evolution is popular because it allows people a way to set their own moral standards and escape the moral standards set forth by God in the Bible. How sad it is when an evolutionist refuses to listen to the gospel message because he believes there is no merit in the Genesis account of creation. Since he believes Genesis has been proven false by evolution, why give any credence to the rest of Scripture? Since he believes he is his own god, whj'. should he have any need of the Savior? There is danger in becoming indoctrinated in evolutionary theory, or in trying to ignore the evolutionary perspective that permeates our culture. As Christians, we need to make sure that what our children are learning lines up with Scripture. We must teach our children the Genesis account of creation as absolute truth so that when they hear the evolutionaqr :v:ie~oint of dinosaurs and an ancient earth they will be able to recognize the discrepancy. The current dinosaur mania can be a tremendous opportunity to teach our children and our friends the truth about dinosaurs-and the God who created them. John Whitmore is an assistant professor of geology at Cedarville College. He has earned an M.S. from the Institute for Creation Research and often speaks at churches on the topic of creationism. 0-ther Resources Creation Research Society P.O. Box 28473 Kansas City, MO 64118 CRS is composed of over 700 scientists with graduate degrees in their area of specialty. CRS publishes the Creation Research Society Quarterly. Institute for Creation Research P.O. Box 2667 El Cajon, CA 92021 619-448-0900 !CR publishes Acts and Facts, a free, monthly publication that features the latest news on creationism and articles related to creation and our society today. Speakers and resource people who can help you with your questions on creationism are available through the CedarviUe College Department of Science and Mathematics.