For Christians: Where Do the Dinosaurs Fit In? (Earth, evolution)

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by Te Deum

In case it has not already been said, Genesis 1-3 can be seen as theologically important rather than the source of information concerning the literal creation of the world. Genesis is the source of theological information - not of scientific information and a drastic, literal retelling of Creation. For example, the Catholic Church is in agreement with this position.

If I may quote a past article of mine for further information...

Thanks Te Deum. But what about the dinosaurs? We know they were here. How does the Catholic Church fit them in with Adam and Eve? Thanks again.

[Te Deum]

Originally Posted by Starfish

Thanks Te Deum. But what about the dinosaurs? We know they were here. How does the Catholic Church fit them in with Adam and Eve? Thanks again.

To answer your question, I would like to quote an article on Catholic Answers (dinosaurs.. - Catholic Answers Forums

I leave the issue of how old the earth is to scientists, who have frequently revised their estimates within my lifetime. The people whom God inspired to write the books of the Bible may not have known about dinosaurs. Did the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who died in 180 A.D., know about them? All the books of the Bible were written by that date, with the Book of Genesis finalized almost 700 years earlier.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word dinosaur entered the English language only in 1841. You ask were do dinosaurs fall within creation. Who are we to dictate to God about such things?

It is important that we accept the Bible for what it is (the self-revelation of God) and not complain that it is not something else (an encyclopedia of all knowledge). Even encyclopedias need to be updated as our knowledge grows!

The opposition between religion and science is really a false opposition because a single God stands behind both of them. At times, some religious people have claimed too much (the sun moves around the earth because the Bible presumes that). At other times, a few scientists have claimed too much (scientific research is not subject to moral limits).

For some additional good information (which answers your question by stating that Genesis does not actually concern itself with literally presenting the story of Creation), please see these articles:

Catholic Answers Forums - View Single Post - How do dinosaurs fit into the Bible?

Again, I do hope this helps answer your question.

[Scott C.]

[quote=Te Deum;1085812**Again, I do hope this helps answer your question.[/quote]

A common belief in Christianity is that there was not death on earth until the Fall of Adam and Eve, which occurred about 6,000 years ago. Do Catholics teach this? If so, how do we explain dinosaurs coming and going millions of years ago?