How do some Christians believe that dinosaurs and people didn't exist at the same time?

Question

This is a question for Christians, not an opportunity for more Christian bashing. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. I was just reading another post and looking at the answers from numerous Christians who said that they don't believe that dinosaurs and people existed at the same time. Are these only the ones who haven't studied the Bible, or do they have a legitimate reason for saying this? I just don't see how that doesn't contradict Genesis. Are they just backing down when any random person comes forth with shaky "evidence" that it couldn't have happened? Or is there a legitimate Biblical theory on it? Honest question.

Genesis says the earth was created in 7 days. I believe it says that man and the livestock were created on the sixth day - the same day. Read Genesis 1 before answering if you need to.

china rose, i believe i made it very clear that i was talking in Biblical terms.

I reiterate, not a scientific question, Biblical is the key word here, kids.

Answer 1

The reason why many believe this is because of fundamentalist, knee-jerk reactions to things they hadn't thought of before. The honest, Bible believing Christian would have to say, "How can I still believe the Bible, yet also understand these things we can dig up?"

1st - IF dinosaurs lived on the earth, then they did so at the same time as humans. I say "if" because God created the earth with an appearance of age. He could have created bones already embedded within the earth. Just because we see the CG movies on the Discovery channel doesn't mean it happened.

2nd - Dinosaurs may have become extinct before the flood. The corruption of sin causes many terrible things to happen. If they were as terrible or dangerous as they can seem, surely they would have been hunted.

3rd - Some dinosaurs would have died in the flood. 2 of every animal doesn't mean 2 of every variety of animal. (2 dogs, not 2 schnauzers, 2 beagles, and 2 pit bulls) We know so little about dinosaurs (contrary to what the CG movies will tell you) that we surely don't know about their ability to cross breed.

4th - If there were only 2 dinosaurs on the ark, surely the wrong circumstances after the flood could have easily wiped them out.

Ultimately, we don't know all the details, nor do we need to. However, as a Christian, I believe what the Bible teaches. When science adds something new I must either find how it can fit with God's Word, or simply recognize that humans can be mistaken.

Answer 2

Biblical theory on dinosaurs, no.
If the age of the fossils can be verified, (there is still no baseline to confirm) then they predate the Bible.
Now the Bible does state that God sent forth life to replenish the Earth
Genesis1:28.
Since there is no written account for the period, it can be assumed,(I am a physics Prof) there was life forms prior to God claiming the Earth and rebuilding it.
Scientists today have theory that global devastation killed the dinosaurs. If it did happen and the Earth became a wasteland, then the Bible is correct in that interpretation.
The age of the Universe and the Earth is unknown. We will never know. It is impossible for the average person to comprehend. Believe me I have debated many people.
The people of the "Bible era" could not have existed with dinosaurs.
Scientists also say there was an Atlantis and are looking for it because they believe there was a prior civilization.
Who is to say we were the first?
Yes I am a Christian whole heartedly. I also feel that it is likely we are not the only human like species in this universe.
We are probably not the first and may not be the last.
But that is my theory and many I have talked to, Atheists and Christians alike, usually come away with a little bit more perspective then when they started.

Answer 3

Christians who believe in Creation do not accept the carbon dating to be accurate. It is theoretically sound but a theory does not make it a fact. Also, I think they did exist because the Bible speaks of Leviathan which is like a sea dinosaur. Also, I think they died before man did which is why they appear older than man. The first humans according to the bible lived about 800 years! If that were true and dinosaurs life spans were shorter, I could see there being dinosaur fossils before human fossils. It also depends on why those fossils were formed. Humans have been known to do various things with their dead, where dinosaurs tend to lay where they die. Depending on what was done with the very first human remains, there might not be anything left of them. (complete deterioration) I also don't believe the scientists have always assembled the animals back together the way they were suppose to either. They have even recanted some of their "Species' because they have realized they put them back together wrong or with bones from other animals. Since no one was actually there, all either side has is speculation anyway.

Answer 4

I don't think Genesis says anything one way or the other about dinosaurs. It does speak of a creation period in very general, vague terms. How exactly this was accomplished we simply don't know. Science seems to point toward evolution as one possible vehicle through which it was effected. Based on the estimated age of human and dinosaur fossils, it seems unlikely that they did live during the same time.

Answer 5

It is an incontrovertible fact that dinosaurs were extinct for millions of years before human beings came into existence. It is likewise an absolute fact that the earth was inhospitable to life of any kind for millions of years after it was created. Biblical interpretation that contradicts known facts is simply flawed interpretation. As the above poster correctly stated, humans can be mistaken. What he doesn't seem to recognize is that biblical self-interpretation is a major source of the mistakes humans make. The thousands of supposedly "bible based" churches, with all their conflicting beliefs and contradictory teachings are certain proof of that.

Answer 6

Friend as what we onsider Dinosuars, was way back millions of yers ago, There was not one Dinosaues after the Great Ice Age. Yes during the prehistoric time there was Caveman/ cavewoman They were the hightest form in thier ninaml kingdom, These cave men & woman was NOT SONS & DAUGHTERS OF GOD, & THEY DID NOT HAVE A SOUL, I have brought this out many times on this site. we come to Adam & Eve, that is after God begins to bring this planet back ino a relationship with the sun to warm it up again for Life, In Gen.9:1 God told Noah to Replinish the earth & in Gen 1:28 God also told Adam & Eve to replinish the earth or to fill it up once again, but this time with smaller animals . Friend here is a Christian that does believe in the prehistoric age, The Ice Age & the Age we live in now. It is all in the Bible if people will study the bible instead just saying I read my bible to day, & they don't know one thing more than what they read.

Answer 7

Ok the whole dino human problem here is my explanation.....When god created the world his days were thousands of years in our time no one really knows how long gods days lasted but he created the dinos first then the humans.

Answer 8

Humans and dinosaurs existed at the same time and dinosaurs were domesticated to perform many useful tasks.

Answer 9

Do YOU actually believe that dinosaurs and people existed at the same time?

ALL evidence points to a very, very, very wide gap in time between the two.

Answer 10

do you have proof that they existed at the same time? honestly, do you? or is this just a personal opinion of yours that people and dinosaurs existed at the same time?

okay, so you read the Bible, but are you sure you studied the facts behind it? do you really understand the contents of the Bible and have you read them all?

remember, little knowledge is dangerous.