A Case for Creation: Session 5, Part 4 – The Geologic Column and Dinosaurs

Last week we looked at evidence that exposed problems with the mainstream secular dating methods for the Earth (Session 5, Part 3). We now carry that awareness into some specifics like the Geologic Column and the question of when dinosaurs lived. Check out this week’s presentation and the extra recommended sources that follow:

The Geologic Column and Dinosaurs, Class Presentation:

Overview notes from the presentation:

What does secular science say about the geological record in the rock layers, and why? (The Geological Column of Time)

Here is how rocks and fossils are actually dated by secular Geologists

  • Geologists use the “Geologic Time Scale” also known as the “Geologic Column” which is a drawing consisting of twelve primary layers, each being given a name, an ancient age, and assigned index fossils (plants and animals assumed to have gone extinct in the particular Column’s assigned time period)
  • Charles Lyell popularized the Column in his book “The Principles of Geology” published in 1830. This time scale or column is based on the philosophy of uniformitarianism (things are the way they have always been, no Flood or other catastrophic events have occurred)
  • Published radiometric dates are selected once an age is obtained that matches the “Geologic Column” and rocks are dated over and over again until a date is obtained that matches the “Column,” non-matching dates are tossed out
  • Whenever an index fossil is found, everything in the layer containing the remains is given the age that the inventors of the Column assigned to that specific fossil

The main problem: The rocks are dated by the fossils, and the fossils are dated by the rocks. This is circular reasoning at best. The geologic column is a man-made drawing that old earth dating needs in order to explain evolution in fossils, but the fossils do not show up where they expect them in the layers, and that’s a problem for evolutionists!

Conclusion: The Biblical Flood best explains the sedimentary rock layers found worldwide with dead things (fossils) rapidly buried in them caused by one catastrophic event just several thousand years ago!

What does the fossil record show over time, and what about the dinosaurs?

  • The fossil record from its earliest specimens do not show change over time, instead we find most of the species we have today, with the exception of those that have gone extinct, including dinosaurs (and there are no transitional “missing links”)
  • The word dinosaur means “terrible lizard”
  • It is important to note that the word “dinosaur” did not exist until it was coined in 1840. Prior to that time words like “dragon” were used.

Biblical accounts:

  • “Behemoth” – Job 40:15-18: “Behold now, Behemoth, which I made as well as you; he eats grass like an ox. Behold now, his strength in his loins and his power in the muscles of his belly. He bends his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are like bars of iron.”
  • “Leviathan” – Job 41:15-23: “His strong scales are his pride, shut up as with a tight seal. One is so near to another that no air can come between them. They are joined one to another; they clasp each other and cannot be separated. His sneezes flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning torches; sparks of fire leap forth. Out of his nostrils smoke goes forth as from a boiling pot and burning rushes. His breath kindles coals, and a flame goes forth from his mouth. In his neck lodges strength, and dismay leaps before him. The folds of his flesh are joined together, firm on him and immovable.
  • “Tanninim” is a Hebrew word that is used 27 times in the Old Testament to indicate “Sea Monster.” Comparative linguistics also shows this word translating as dragon, monster and snake that stretches out moving forward like smoke.

Dinosaur evidence from the pre-flood era

  • God created all land animals on the 6th day (Genesis 1:24-25)
  • Dinosaur fossils are found with other pre-flood plants and animals
  • God said he would destroy all living things that walked the earth except for the two of each “Kind” that were on the Ark (Genesis 6:17-22)
  • If there were a worldwide flood then we would expect to find dead things, buried rapidly (fossil formation) in water laid sediment all over the earth.

And what do we find? Dead things, buried rapidly in water laid sediment all over the earth.

Dinosaur evidence in the post-flood era

  • Reptiles still exist today at a smaller scale—they will continue to grow as they age, but they do not live as long as they did in the pre-flood world
  • Multiple cultures report dinosaur accounts in their history, literature, and art (using words like dragon, monster, snake, beast etc.)
  • Some species have gone extinct due to loss of food supply, post-flood environmental conditions like the ice age, and man’s invasion of their land and habitats
  • There is physical and eyewitness evidence of dinosaurs co-existing with man in the recent past throughout the world

Did the dinosaurs fit on the Ark?

  • Noah would not have taken full grown or older types of any of the animals because of the need to procreate after the flood
  • Noah would have taken young animals (and possibly eggs in some cases)
  • The average size of all of the animals, even in adult form, has been calculated to be about the size of a sheep
  • You would only need to take one pair of each “Kind” of animal that carried the genetic information for all possible species in that “Kind” (Kind is roughly at the family level in Taxonomy)

A few more questions that need to be answered

If the Universe, and the Earth itself, was billions of years old, then…

  • Since Humans have been able to alter the speed of light, why can’t the Creator of all things do it? (This addresses the light year distances of stars)
  • Why are galaxies’ spirals not tightly coiled, as they should be?
  • Why are supernovas and comet ages young when they should be old?
  • Why has the birth of a new star never been observed?
  • Why is the moon not farther away if it is moving out away from the Earth at a constant rate?
  • Why is there is not enough mud on the sea floor?
  • Why does the amount of salt in the sea not match the secular timescale?
  • Why is there too much helium in minerals?
  • Why are there not enough Stone Age skeletons?
  • Why is agriculture is so recent?
  • Why is human history so short?
  • Why does the predicted human population growth rate not match the secular timescale but instead matches perfectly with the Biblical timescale?
  • Why do earthquake records match Biblical records?
  • Why does the Geologic Column not contain the proper order of the index fossils according to their own scale?
  • Why is soft tissue found in fossils that are considered to be millions of years old?
  • Why are we still here if the electromagnetic force has been growing weaker over time?
  • Why are we still here if the sun has been losing its mass at a constant rate?

Each of these questions can be answered in detail – reference articles found in the “Going Deeper” resources below.

(Peter said…) Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 

2 Pt. 3:3-7

Going Deeper

From the series: “Is Genesis History” Del Tacket interviews Dr. Andrew Snelling on the topic of the Geologic Column:

Recommended Books:

Recommended Websites with articles, videos and more:

Reflection

  1. What is the main problem with the “Geologic Column?”
  2. What evidence stood out most to you about Dinosaurs and their existence with humans?
  3. PTRs: Prayer focus – For an opportunity to share with others the things you are learning about the Bible and Genesis.

Bible Study

Each week we will do a Bible study in the book of Genesis to practice our Bible study skills. This week read or re-read Genesis Chapter 9, then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

Always remember to pray before reading and studying Scripture.

1.  What did God say to Noah as He blessed them (9:1-2)? What are some ways we observe the truth of what God said in verse 2 today?

2.  What did God say about food and food restrictions, and why (9:3-4)?

3.  What did God tell Noah concerning a man shedding the blood of another man (9:5-6)? Why do you think God gave that command, (could it have anything to do with what was going on before the Flood)?

4.  What Covenant did God establish and whom did He establish it with (9:8-11)? What was the sign of this Covenant and why is it important (9:12-17)?

5.  Who were the sons of Noah and what do we know about them? (9:18-19)

6.  Describe what Noah’s Sons did when their father got drunk (9:20-23).

7.  What was the curse Noah gave and who was it upon (look closely); and how did Noah bless his other two sons (9:24-29)?

Join us next week as we continue our “Case for Creation and A Study in Genesis – Session 6: The Tower of Babel

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15

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