DINOSAURS AND THE BIBLE

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

DINOSAURS AND THE BIBLE

What does the Bible say about dinosaurs?  That is the million dollar question because evolutionists say that dinosaurs died off before man came on the scene.  But remember that according to the Genesis account on the sixth day of creation animals as well as humans were created.  So that means they had to have co-existed.  

There are three terms to consider that may point to dinosaurs in the Hebrew Old Testament:

BEHEMOTH: (Job 40:15-19) “Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you; He eats grass like an ox. 16 See now, his strength is in his hips, And his power is in his stomach muscles. 17 He moves his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. 18 His bones are like beams of bronze, His ribs like bars of iron. 19 He is the first of the ways of God; Only He who made him can bring near His sword.  Although some Bible scholars say this may have been an elephant or even a hippopotamus, the description actually fits that of a dinosaur like Brachiosaurus. Elephants and hippos certainly do not have tails like cedar trees (v. 17)!

LEVIATHAN: Job 41:1–34 describes the twisting, serpent-like Leviathan in terms of a fierce, fire breathing sea monster: "His sneezings flash forth light ... Out of his mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire leap forth. Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke ... His breath kindles coals, and a flame comes forth from his mouth." (ESV)  These mysterious creatures defy cataloging and have therefore led some commentators to think the Bible writers may have been offering  descriptions of dinosaurs.  

DRAGON: (Psa 74:13) You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.  The Hebrew word for dragon is tanniyn and occurs 28 times in the Bible. It is also translated “serpent,” “sea monster,” “dinosaur,” “great creature,” and “reptile.” Behemoth and Leviathan are relatively detailed creatures, perhaps each was a single kind of animal. Tanniyn is a more general term, and it can be thought of as the old word for dinosaur. (The word “dinosaur” was originally coined in 1841, more than three thousand years after the Bible first referred to “tanniyn.”)

What ever happened to dinosaurs?  Some say they died off before the flood.  If that wasn’t the case we know from Genesis 6-9 the flood killed off every land animal and, we may surmise,  wiped out many sea creatures (thus accounting for the many fossils of dinosaurs).  Perhaps dinosaurs entered the ark of Noah in young adult form and then died off after the flood.  The new world must have been hostile to their survival.  Food was scarce and they would have been hunted for food, as one of the realities of the post-flood world was that meat was now eaten along with plants: (Gen 9:3) Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs.  

Louie

UNITY

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

UNITY

(Eph 4:3) endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We see in the selection of His followers that Jesus chose men with a vast array of backgrounds and personalities.  And I don’t think it was just for diversity sake.  I believe the Lord put these twelve disciples together to not only become apostles but also to learn how to love one another and to appreciate each other. 

When you look at the list of disciples in Mark 3:13-19 you see just how different these men were from one another.  Think of impetuous Peter.  How about doubting Thomas?  Consider those sons of thunder, James and John.  These were personality differences.  Then look at the variations of backgrounds.  You have Matthew the tax collector and also Simon the Canaanite (also called the Zealot in Luke 6:15).  One was a former employee of the Roman empire and the other was a Roman rebel.  Some were blue collar and some were white collar.  With this vast array of personalities and backgrounds there must have been occasion for differences.  And we do see that the disciples did argue who would be the greatest in the kingdom (Luke 9:46).  Jesus had to put them in line and teach them to love and serve one another.  

After Jesus chose His twelve He taught on the importance of standing on a united front to defeat the enemy. (Mark 3:24-25) If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  Paul would go on to teach about unity in the church. (Eph 4:2-5) with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

People might rub you the wrong way and you can become resentful.  You can get an attitude with that person and also seek to avoid them.  But wise is the person that sees this as a positive challenge and then asks personal, pertinent questions.  “What is it about this person that rubs me the wrong way?”  “What is God trying to change in me?”  “I must learn to appreciate this person for who they are and how God has created them.”     

The other day when I was out of town I saw a person who has always rubbed me the wrong way.  I have to admit when I saw him I pursed my lips and sought to act like I didn’t see him.  But God weighed on my heart the necessity to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  I asked God for strength and went over to him and greeted him cordially and asked concerning his welfare.  We chatted a bit and when I walked away I must confess that I experienced the warmest feeling inside.  No wonder the scripture says: (Psa 133:1) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Louie

ARE THERE CONTRADICTIONS IN THE BIBLE?

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

ARE THERE CONTRADICTIONS IN THE BIBLE?

(Titus 1:9)…exhort and convict those who contradict.

It seems like forever there have been those who have said there are contradictions in the Bible.  And the best way to handle people like this is to ask them to show you one.  They usually stutter and stammer and say that’s what they have heard and then they usually change the subject.  But every now and then you get a hard-boiled egg of a person that insists there are incongruities in the Bible and might even rattle one off.  For this reason, and also to demonstrate that the Bible is fully inspired and without error, let’s take a look at a few apparent contradictions.

- God is satisfied with his creation. (Gen 1:31) Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good… Apparent contradiction: God is dissatisfied with his creation. (Gen 6:6) And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.  Answer: Both statements are true. The first was stated before the fall in the garden.  The second is true after man had rebelled and turned against God.

- God is everywhere present, sees and knows all things. (Pro 15:3) The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. Apparent contradiction: God is not everywhere present, neither sees nor knows all things. (Gen 11:5) But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. Answer: This does not mean that God was ignorant about what was going on in city of Babel, but that He was now turning his attention to it because He had a purpose in mind.  

- We are not saved by good deeds. (Eph 2:8-9) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. Apparent contradiction: We are saved by good deeds. (James 2:24) You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Answer: We are saved by faith, but a person of faith does good things. Goods deeds can never obtain salvation for anyone.  But every Christian has the opportunity to influence his world for Christ.  “We don’t work to be saved.  We work because we are saved.” 

The skeptic approaches the Bible with an attitude of guilty until proven innocent.  That’s too bad.  I think it’s all a smoke screen for not wanting to repent and turn to the Lord.  I approach the Bible with an attitude of innocent until proven guilty.  And you know what?  I have never discovered any real contradictions in the Bible.  There are apparent contradictions for sure, but we find that they are cleared up rationally and intelligently upon an honest and dignified examination.  (Rom 3:4)…Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged.”

Louie

YOU ARE LOVED!

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

 

YOU ARE LOVED! 

(1 John 3:1)  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!  

Have you heard the greatest news on earth?   YOU ARE LOVED!  The Father loved you so much He sent His only Son to die on the cross for you.  Now how does that make you feel?  He ever lives to love you and nobody can love you like Jesus! 

Are you single with no prospects for a meaningful relationship?  Nobody can love you like Jesus! 

Are you married but don’t feel close or connected with your husband or wife?  Nobody can love you like Jesus! 

Are you in your golden years but don’t sense that support and affirmation you were expecting?  Nobody can love you like Jesus! 

Have you recently experienced a falling-out with a good friend and your heart is aching?  Nobody can love you like Jesus! 

Do you feel alone, lost, lonely, separated, distant, hurt, disappointed, anxious, depressed, oppressed, even possessed with a sense of sadness?  Like nobody cares?  Like nobody gives a hoot?  That if you died just the graveyard gardener would attend your funeral?  I think we’ve all felt a portion or part of the above at one time another.  You might feel that way even now.  But you’ve got to know one thing . . .  YOU ARE LOVED and nobody can love you like Jesus! 

Feast your heart on these love letters from the Lord from His Word: 

• (Jer 31:3)  The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

 

• (Rom 5:8)  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

You are loved!  How fulfilling, how satisfying, how healing, how glorious!  It’s the message the world needs to hear. (Rom 2:4) 

Don’t let the devil get you down with his lies that no one cares because you are loved by Jesus.  And His love is extravagant! (Eph 3:17-19)  And God’s people care if you will give them a chance to demonstrate the amazing love of God to you (John 13:34). 

Louie 

P.S. You are loved! 

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

SIGNS OF THE TIMES 

(Mat 16:3)  . . . You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 

Earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis.  Viruses, plagues, epidemics.  Wars, hatred, destruction.  Moral chaos, personal rights, internal fights.  Are these the last days?  Are these the signs of the times?   

Shortly before his crucifixion, Jesus instructed His disciples in that great Olivet Discourse about the last days (Mat 24).  They had asked Him about the signs of His coming and the end of the age.  Jesus then predicted that there would be certain signs of His coming such as false prophets deceiving people.  There would be wars and rumors of wars.  There would be pestilences and earthquakes in various places.  But all these would be the beginning of sorrows.  Lawlessness would abound and the love of many would grow cold.  God’s people would be persecuted.  There would be the need for endurance in tough times.  The gospel would be preached to all nations and then the end would come.  The Lord would come so obviously and brilliantly as the lightning flashes in the sky.  That we should be ready for His coming and be faithful in our service. 

 The apostle Paul said there would be signs of the times.  (2 Tim 3:1-5)  But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: {2} For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, {3} unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, {4} traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, {5} having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

But remember that in the midst of all this turmoil we have the hope of the soon coming of Christ in the Rapture!  (1 Thes 4:16-18).  This is our hope (Tit 2:13).  Yes it’s bad now but for the believer in Christ it’s only going to get better!  Let’s not be down about what we hear about in the news.  Jesus is coming!  Maranatha!!  (Luke 21:28)  "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." 

And remember this exhortation:  (2 Pet 3:9)  The Lord is . . . not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.  This is why the Lord is delaying His coming.  Let’s pray the world will see the signs of the times and repent!  And let the Church be ready and waiting for the Bridegroom to come (Mat 25:1-13).  May our lamps be burning and our hearts yearning.  And may sinners be turning to the only hope for this world in need!   

Louie