The Bible, while not explicitly mentioning dinosaurs, provides a framework for understanding their existence within the creation narrative. Genesis 1:24-25 describes God creating “living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” This inclusive statement likely encompasses dinosaurs, as they were land animals created on the sixth day.
In understanding dinosaurs from a biblical perspective, it’s essential to consider the young earth creationist view. This viewpoint holds that the earth is approximately 6,000 years old, based on the genealogies in the Bible, and that the six days of creation were literal 24-hour periods. This contrasts with the evolutionary timeline, which places dinosaurs millions of years before humans. However, from a biblical standpoint, dinosaurs and humans coexisted. This coexistence is supported by Job 40:15-24, which describes the Behemoth, a creature of immense size and strength, possibly a dinosaur.
Another potential reference to dinosaurs in the Bible is found in the description of the Leviathan. Psalm 104:26 and Job 41 describe a powerful and fearsome creature in the sea, which some creationists interpret as a reference to a marine dinosaur or similar creature. The Leviathan’s description emphasizes God’s sovereignty and creative power, highlighting that even the most formidable creatures are under His control.
These scriptural references, while not providing explicit evidence of dinosaurs, suggest the existence of large, powerful creatures that align with what we know about dinosaurs. The young earth creationist view sees these descriptions as part of the harmonization between the Bible and the fossil record, supporting the belief that dinosaurs were part of God’s original creation and coexisted with humans.
From a biblical perspective, the fossil record, including dinosaur fossils, is often interpreted within the context of the global flood as described in Genesis 6-9. This catastrophic event, according to young earth creationists, would have had the power to rapidly bury organisms under layers of sediment, leading to the formation of fossils. Genesis 7:11-12 describes the fountains of the great deep bursting forth and the windows of heaven being opened, indicating a cataclysmic event that could explain the widespread fossilization.
This interpretation suggests that dinosaur fossils found today are remnants of pre-flood creatures. The rapid burial during the flood would have preserved these creatures in a way that aligns with the sudden and catastrophic fossilization process required to create fossils. This view counters the standard scientific interpretation of the fossil record, which suggests a slow and gradual process over millions of years.
The idea of humans and dinosaurs coexisting finds some support in the biblical narrative. As mentioned, dinosaurs are considered to have been created on the same day as humans (Genesis 1:24-31). This coexistence challenges the conventional scientific timeline but aligns with the young earth creationist view.
Support for this coexistence can also be inferred from the Bible’s descriptions of human interactions with large creatures. For example, in Job 40:15-24, the Behemoth is described as a creature that “eats grass like an ox” and whose “tail sways like a cedar.” The cedar tree metaphor suggests a creature with a significantly large and strong tail, reminiscent of certain dinosaurs. While not conclusive, these descriptions provide a framework for envisioning a world where humans and dinosaur-like creatures existed together.
The concept of human-dinosaur coexistence is further supported by various historical accounts and artifacts that some creationists argue depict dinosaurs, suggesting that the knowledge of these creatures was not solely based on fossil discoveries but also on historical encounters.
In conclusion, from a biblical, conservative Christian perspective, dinosaurs are seen as part of God’s original creation, created during the six days of creation as described in Genesis. The Bible does not explicitly mention dinosaurs but provides descriptions of large creatures like Behemoth and Leviathan, which could be interpreted as dinosaur-like animals. The fossil record, including the existence of dinosaurs, is often viewed through the lens of the Genesis flood narrative, suggesting rapid burial and fossilization during this catastrophic event. Additionally, the idea of humans and dinosaurs coexisting is supported within this framework, challenging the conventional scientific timeline but aligning with a young earth creationist interpretation of the Bible.
For further reading on this topic from a conservative Christian perspective, the following books are recommended:
Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World - Josh and Sean McDowell
Little Pilgrim's Progress (Illustrated Edition) - Helen L. Taylor