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 2:19-20), and after the flood of Noah’s day, God placed the fear of mankind in every animal (Gen 9:2).  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 40:15-24 mentions the “behemoth”, and the description of that animal sounds remarkably similar to a diplodocus.  Job 41:1-34 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 105:42), 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 12:28), 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 2:15, Josh 1:8), 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 10:24-25.  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 26:2-3).  Make sure that rodeo is a part of your life and not the master of your life – we can’t have two masters (Matt 6:24).  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 1:12).

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 10:12-13, 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 2:10) and only speak the truth (Eph 4:15).  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.

If it is a sin to do things to harm your body such as smoking cigarettes, is it a sin to eat food that has absolutely no nutritional value such as fried foods or junk food since that can lead to all kinds of problems?

Sincerely,
Food Pyramid

Dear Food Pyramid,

The Bible never specifically addresses what types of food are or are not okay… there is a reason for this.  It would be inappropriate to go around labeling one type of food as ‘sinful’ and another type of food as ‘righteous’.  The issue isn’t what foods you eat at any particular meal – but how we treat our bodies as a whole.  God teaches the principle that your body is fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14) and that life is a gift from God (Gen 2:7, Job 33:4).  No one meal or food is a “make or break” choice… it is our general attitude that God cares about.  Avoid overindulgence (Pr 25:27) and laziness (Pr 19:24).  Show self-control in all things (1 Cor 9:25).  Gluttony is always wrong (Pr 23:20-21).  We would never be dogmatic about any particular food item; the Scriptures condemn junk lifestyles, not junk food.