Forgive me for this rant, but I was horrified when I woke up this morning and read the Q&A about whether or not dinosaurs exist.  There is a very big contradiction between AYP saying that we “humans lived in peace with the dinosaurs” and the truth.  Carbon dating does not lie.  An organic item that decays loses carbon atoms at a specific rate, and that is used to determine the age of fossils.  I see no reason why forensic scientists (and we would have to certainly believe something even more outrageous than, let’s say, the sun revolves around the earth than to believe that they are all part of some big conspiracy), and their data based on carbon dating are somehow wrong.  What’s wrong with saying, “I don’t know”?????  Are you telling me that the horrible “museum” they have about us living with dinosaurs is correct?  Disinformation for the sake of proving the Gospel is not proving the Gospel at all!  This would bring me to my question: why is it so wrong for us to say, “I don’t know” when asked questions like this?  When I am in apologetics mode when having to defend the/my faith and someone asks me a question like this, I simply say, “I don’t know; what I do know is what is written in the Bible, and there is nothing there that explains the dinosaurs, so I guess God figured we humans were more important.”  Besides, I thought we were not to use the Bible for science; I thought it was a spiritual message, not a worldly one.

Sincerely,
Dino-Debater

Dear Dino-Debater,

“I don’t know” is a perfectly fine answer, but the Bible does make some statements about animals that can’t be ignored.  God says that all land animals were created on day six (Gen 1:24-31Gen 1:24-31
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24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth after their kind: and it was so. ²⁵ And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the ground after its kind: and God saw that it was good. ²⁶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. ²⁷ And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. ²⁸ And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. ²⁹ And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food: ³⁰ and to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, [I have given] every green herb for food: and it was so. ³¹ And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.  

WP-Bible plugin)… that would include dinosaurs.  You are also fair in saying that the Bible isn’t a science book – but it does provide a certain worldview through which we view science.  Atheism is the same way.  Atheism isn’t science, and yet, it colors the way people view scientific data.  A large portion of the scientific establishment views the world through naturalistic lenses – meaning that they assume everything that is here came through natural, random processes.  One paleontologist looks at millions of dead bones piled under dirt, debris, silt, etc. and sees millions of years of decay and evolution.  Another paleontologist sees the same fossils scattered in abundance under the same rock layer and sees a cataclysmic event – most likely Noah’s Flood.  The difference isn’t the data; it is they way they view and interpret the data.  Most of the modern scientific community has chosen to interpret the data through evolutionary lenses.  They assume that:

1. The world is billions of years old because evolution would need billions of years to occur.
2. All rock layers form slowly over time – even though we have great examples of rock forming rapidly.  (Mt. St. Helen’s explosion in 1980 is a great example of cataclysmic rock formation).  This viewpoint is called “uniformitarianism” and is based off the concept that all things are the same throughout time – if something is happening slowly now, then it must always have happened that way.  The Bible specifically says that isn’t the case (2 Pet 3:4-62 Pet 3:4-6
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   4 and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. ⁵ For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God; ⁶ by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  
   
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3. That nature is all there is.  Naturalism assumes that there is no supernatural and that there is no supernatural intervention in the events of mankind’s history or the world’s creation.

These assumptions color the data of a large portion of scientists.  It isn’t a conspiracy, but it is interpretation of data based upon their worldview.  The Bible agrees perfectly with scientific data, but it often disagrees with scientists.  Carbon-14 dating (and other radiometric dating methods) is based off of a naturalistic worldview.  We don’t have the space here, but we would highly recommend you read this article, written by a scientist, on the assumptions involved in carbon-14 dating.  Once again, the problem isn’t with the carbon half-life measurements… but with the interpretation of the data.

The Bible dwells in perfect harmony with science, but when scientists assume that there is no God involved in the creation of this planet, they often fail to understand the data they are collecting.

The Bible really doesn’t say a lot about dinosaurs even though they seem to be a big part of our past; how could we live in peace at the same time?  I’m a christian looking deeper.

Sincerely,
Clever Girl

Dear Clever Girl,

Humans lived in peace with the dinosaurs until they became extinct… the same way we live in peace with bears, snakes, lions, elephants, etc.  In the Garden of Eden, all animals lived peaceably with humans (Gen 2:19-20Gen 2:19-20
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19 And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every beast of the field, and every bird of the heavens; and brought them unto the man to see what he would call them: and whatsoever the man called every living creature, that was the name thereof. ²⁰ And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but for man there was not found a help meet for him.  

WP-Bible plugin), and after the flood of Noah’s day, God placed the fear of mankind in every animal (Gen 9:2Gen 9:2
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2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every bird of the heavens; With all wherewith the ground teemeth, and all the fishes of the sea, into your hand are they delivered.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Dinosaurs would have had the same relationship with mankind as all other animals.

Dinosaurs are never specifically mentioned in the Bible, but neither are dodo birds, preying mantises, kookaburras, or chuckwallas.  Just because a certain animal isn’t mentioned in the Bible, doesn’t mean the Bible says it didn’t exist.  However, it is worth noting that the book of Job mentions two animals that sound very, very much like dinosaurs.  Job 40:15-24Job 40:15-24
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15 Behold now, behemoth, which I made as well as thee; He eateth grass as an ox. ¹⁶ Lo now, his strength is in his loins, And his force is in the muscles of his belly. ¹⁷ He moveth his tail like a cedar: The sinews of his thighs are knit together. ¹⁸ His bones are [as] tubes of brass; His limbs are like bars of iron. ¹⁹ He is the chief of the ways of God: He [only] that made him giveth him his sword. ²⁰ Surely the mountains bring him forth food, Where all the beasts of the field do play. ²¹ He lieth under the lotus-trees, In the covert of the reed, and the fen. ²² The lotus-trees cover him with their shade; The willows of the brook compass him about. ²³ Behold, if a river overflow, he trembleth not; He is confident, though a Jordan swell even to his mouth. ²⁴ Shall any take him when he is on the watch, Or pierce through his nose with a snare?  

WP-Bible plugin mentions the “behemoth”, and the description of that animal sounds remarkably similar to a diplodocus.  Job 41:1-34Job 41:1-34
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41 ¹ Canst thou draw out leviathan with a fishhook? Or press down his tongue with a cord? ² Canst thou put a rope into his nose? Or pierce his jaw through with a hook? ³ Will he make many supplications unto thee? Or will he speak soft words unto thee? ⁴ Will he make a covenant with thee, That thou shouldest take him for a servant for ever? ⁵ Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? ⁶ Will the bands [of fishermen] make traffic of him? Will they part him among the merchants? ⁷ Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons, Or his head with fish-spears? ⁸ Lay thy hand upon him; Remember the battle, and do so no more. ⁹ Behold, the hope of him is in vain: Will not one be cast down even at the sight of him? ¹⁰ None is so fierce that he dare stir him up; Who then is he that can stand before me? ¹¹ Who hath first given unto me, that I should repay him? [Whatsoever is] under the whole heaven is mine. ¹² I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, Nor his mighty strength, nor his goodly frame. ¹³ Who can strip off his outer garment? Who shall come within his jaws? ¹⁴ Who can open the doors of his face? Round about his teeth is terror. ¹⁵ [His] strong scales are [his] pride, Shut up together [as with] a close seal. ¹⁶ One is so near to another, That no air can come between them. ¹⁷ They are joined one to another; They stick together, so that they cannot be sundered. ¹⁸ His sneezings flash forth light, And his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. ¹⁹ Out of his mouth go burning torches, And sparks of fire leap forth. ²⁰ Out of his nostrils a smoke goeth, As of a boiling pot and [burning] rushes. ²¹ His breath kindleth coals, And a flame goeth forth from his mouth. ²² In his neck abideth strength, And terror danceth before him. ²³ The flakes of his flesh are joined together: They are firm upon him; They cannot be moved. ²⁴ His heart is as firm as a stone; Yea, firm as the nether millstone. ²⁵ When he raiseth himself up, the mighty are afraid: By reason of consternation they are beside themselves. ²⁶ If one lay at him with the sword, it cannot avail; Nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft. ²⁷ He counteth iron as straw, [And] brass as rotten wood. ²⁸ The arrow cannot make him flee: Sling-stones are turned with him into stubble. ²⁹ Clubs are counted as stubble: He laugheth at the rushing of the javelin. ³⁰ His underparts are [like] sharp potsherds: He spreadeth [as it were] a threshing-wain upon the mire. ³¹ He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: He maketh the sea like a pot of ointment. ³² He maketh a path to shine after him; One would think the deep to be hoary. ³³ Upon earth there is not his like, That is made without fear. ³⁴ He beholdeth everything that is high: He is king over all the sons of pride.  

WP-Bible plugin mentions the “leviathan”, a sea beast, that sounds not unlike an aquatic dinosaur.  Dinosaurs may be extinct today, but there is no contradiction between the Bible and the dinosaur fossils found by paleontologists.

How should we treat The Bible?  What I mean is that I feel funny sometimes laying it on the ground, or how would one go about disposing of it if it somehow became unusable (for example, if you spilled something on it)?  I guess I’m asking where the line is between showing the utmost respect for God’s Word and not stumbling into an area that could be misconstrued as actually worshipping the object itself.  Thank you!

Sincerely,
Handle With Care

Dear Handle With Care,

The words of God are holy (Ps 105:42Ps 105:42
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42 For he remembered his holy word, [And] Abraham his servant.  

WP-Bible plugin), but the pages they are printed upon are not.  It is natural to feel a need to treat things that represent important ideals with extra care and diligence (for example, the U.S. flag has specific rules for transportation, use, and disposal), but we must remember that God commands us to show Him reverence (Heb 12:28Heb 12:28
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28 Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe:  

WP-Bible plugin), and that is the principle you have to keep in my mind.  If you purposefully abuse your Bible (such as defacing it, kicking it around, etc.), there comes a point when that shows disrespect and a lack of reverence for God, but disposing of an old and tattered Bible isn’t irreverent… it is a practical matter.  In fact, if you are heeding the Bible’s teachings to study and diligently search out the Scriptures (2 Tim 2:152 Tim 2:15
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15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.  

WP-Bible plugin, Josh 1:8Josh 1:8
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8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  

WP-Bible plugin), you will probably burn through quite a few copies of the Bible in your lifetime.  Old, tattered Bibles with pages falling out are a sign of a healthy christian.  Treat your Bibles nicely, but remember that the most important copy of the Word of God is the one that has been sown in your heart and life.

Ever since I was eight-years-old, I have been competing in rodeos, which can include Sundays.  In the recent few months, I have truly grown in my relationship with God and have accepted Christ as my Savior.  But I am still learning and am still unclear on some things and haven’t gotten to the preacher at my church to ask him.  Is it a sin to rodeo on a Sunday? Many times they have “cowboy church” but not always – should I not be there if there is no church service?  Rodeo is a HUGE part of my life, but I would gladly give it up for God, no matter how sad it will make me.  Thanks!

Sincerely,
Christian Cowgirl

Dear Christian Cowgirl,

You have to ask yourself the question, “Am I forsaking the assembly?”.  We appreciate your attitude and desire to do whatever is right, regardless of the cost.  That attitude and honest approach to the Scriptures will always serve you well.  The verses to consider on this subject are Heb 10:24-25Heb 10:24-25
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24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting [one another]; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.  

WP-Bible plugin.  The Hebrew letter warns against forsaking the assembly.  To ‘forsake’ means to ‘abandon’, ‘desert’, or ‘leave behind’.  Sunday worship needs to be a regular and constant part of your life.  Does missing one Sunday mean that you’ve deserted Sunday worship… no, but if one turns into two, turns into three, etc. – now you have forsaken services for other things.  The question you need to ask yourself is, “Am I leaving behind my duty to worship God on Sunday to pursue rodeo?”.  Of course, the easiest way to be sure that you are doing the right thing is to always go to services on Sundays.  You will have to take the time to examine yourself (Ps 26:2-3Ps 26:2-3
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2 Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; Try my heart and my mind. ³ For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes; And I have walked in thy truth.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Make sure that rodeo is a part of your life and not the master of your life – we can’t have two masters (Matt 6:24Matt 6:24
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24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  

WP-Bible plugin).  If you do decide that you need to give up or diminish your participation in rodeo, know this… God will bless you for putting Him first (Jas 1:12Jas 1:12
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12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which [the Lord] promised to them that love him.  

WP-Bible plugin).

I am confused on the story about the missing day.  I heard that there is a story about God stopping the sun for a day, so that someone (sorry I am not sure who it was; Joshua, I think) could win a battle.  I have read that NASA has confirmed that it is true that they have found what they have called a “missing day” which would prove the story to be true.  I am confused about this story and the NASA findings.  If you google NASA and the lost Bible day, you will see what I am talking about; thanks for the help.

Sincerely,
Marking Time

Dear Marking Time,

The Bible story is found in Josh 10:12-13Josh 10:12-13
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12 Then spake Joshua to Jehovah in the day when Jehovah delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon. ¹³ And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, Until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.  

WP-Bible plugin, but the NASA story is an urban legend.  As unbelievably cool as it would be if it were true, NASA never found that the solar system was missing a day in its rotations.  The whole story is based off of scientists finding an error while calculating the positions of the sun, moon, planets, etc.  The story has an exciting ring to it, but it is false.  Christians are supposed to love the truth (2 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:10
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10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  

WP-Bible plugin) and only speak the truth (Eph 4:15Eph 4:15
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15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ;  

WP-Bible plugin).  As appealing as it might be to tell you this story is true, we here at AYP have to be honest and tell you that it is a hoax.  The sun really did stand still for Joshua, but this urban legend isn’t proof.

Do dogs go to heaven?  My dog died, and I had her for twelve years.  I am 52-years-old, and she was a BIG part of my life and family.  I think about her all the time.  Thanks and God bless.

Sincerely,
Canine Caretaker

Dear Canine Caretaker,

Dogs don’t go to heaven, but we can really sympathize with your loss.  One of our AYP writers still has pictures of his hunting dogs up in his office, and another is deeply attached to his family dog.  Animals are a blessing from God (Gen 1:26Gen 1:26
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26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  

WP-Bible plugin).  God says that when they die, animals return to the earth while humans ascend into the heavens (Eccl 3:21Eccl 3:21
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21 Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth?  

WP-Bible plugin).  Animals simply don’t have eternal souls like humans do.  We are so sorry for your loss, but we want you to know that God comforts us through all our sorrow… and He will bring you through this loss (2 Cor 13:112 Cor 13:11
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11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.  

WP-Bible plugin).