Fossils and scientific research leave no doubt that dinosaurs existed more than 200 million years ago. Many evolutionists say that dinosaurs’ demise resulted from a sudden catastrophe, and they became extinct before any humans walked the earth.
Unfortunately, many Christians are unsure about dinosaurs’ origin, existence, and how they went extinct. They believe they existed, considering the biblical and archaeological evidence, but their views differ on many aspects.
How do Christians Explain Dinosaurs?
God reminds Job of His wisdom and strength, telling him about Leviathan and Behemoth, which He made just like any other being. It says in the Bible,
“Behold, Behemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox. Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly. He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron.” –Job 40:15-18
This description matches the creatures that we now call dinosaurs. Behemoth was likely an apatosaurus or a brachiosaurus, whereas Leviathan might be a multi-headed dinosaur that lived in the ocean.
“Yet God is my King from long ago, who performs acts of salvation in the midst of the earth. You divided the sea by Your strength, You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan.” -Psalm 74:12-14 NASB
The Bible reminds Christians that God’s strength is much greater than the large and powerful creatures He has made.
“Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.” -Psalm 104:25-26
Some Christians argue the Bible doesn’t specifically mention dinosaurs and that it isn’t possible for a dinosaur to roam in the Garden of Eden. However, God reminds us in Genesis how He meant every creature to live in peace with humans. The Bible informs us that God created dinosaurs and everything else during the first week of creation. He is a majestic and amazing creator, even if His believers are unsure of His creation.
Christian Viewpoints on the Extinction of Dinosaurs
Through the Bible, Christians believe in the existence of dinosaurs. However, they are unsure of their evolution and extinction and have two possible theories to explain both phases.
Viewpoint # 1: Dinosaurs Went Extinct Before or During the Flood
Christians explain that dinosaur extinction occurred due to a flood, as nothing else could have wiped away these species. That flood resulted in several fossils that we find across the world. Christians believe that a major catastrophe, such as Noah’s flood, might have caused dinosaur extinction. They also think dinosaurs didn’t include the pair of animals God had asked Noah to put on the ark.
Viewpoint # 2 Dinosaurs Went Extinct After the Flood
Most Christians say that dinosaurs became extinct after the flood. They base their claim on how God commanded Noah to bring a pair of every creature of the ground and sky on the ark.
“You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal, and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and them.’ Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” -Genesis 6:19-22 ESV
Since it’s evident from the Bible that Noah did everything God commanded him, Christians believe dinosaurs survived the flood. Christians can’t explain dinosaur extinction but know that it wasn’t too long ago. Some scientists found dinosaur fossils containing soft tissues. The longest time an animal’s tissue can survive is for 900,000 years. Therefore, it’s more plausible for dinosaurs to have lived until a few thousand years ago.
Christians Believe in Dinosaurs
All archaeological, scientific, and Biblical evidence points to dinosaur existence. Hence, those who believe the word of God will also believe in dinosaurs as creatures who lived a long time ago. Like other creatures, dinosaurs reflect God’s creativity, beauty, and power.
You can learn more about dinosaurs by reading encyclopedias or watching documentaries. Get the following books and DVDs to understand the mass extinction that occurred by the end of the Cretaceous period.
1. The Great Dinosaur Extinction Controversy (Helix Books) by Charles Officer
This book refutes the general theory of dinosaur extinction and provides an alternative explanation that’ll baffle the audience.
2. Ancient Mysteries – Dinosaur Extinction
This 50-minute documentary explains what killed dinosaurs: a flood, a volcanic activity, or an asteroid impact? Buy this DVD today, and unravel the world of ancient mysteries.
3. The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of Their Lost World by Steve Brusatte.
This book is a New York Times Bestseller that reveals the ultimate dinosaur biography. The American paleontologist utilizes a captivating narrative to grasp the audience’s attention from the first chapter.
4. Dinosaurs and the Bible by Brian Thomas
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Dinosaurs and the Bible explores scriptural and historical evidence about dinosaurs and shares insight after many years of research. Buy this book today and learn what the Bible teaches about dinosaurs.
Our Final Thoughts
Christians explain dinosaurs in several ways. Some believe they went extinct millions of years ago, while some think they survived up to a few thousand years ago. Some Christians are unsure about their evolution, while others believe they never evolved.
Regardless of when they went extinct, most Christians believe in dinosaurs’ existence. We suggest you read the books we’ve picked out for you to get an insight into this subject.
