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.

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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.

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I have a friend who speaks about the Bible having figurative language in it.  How would you respond to this comment?

Sincerely,
Mr. Metaphor

Dear Mr. Metaphor,

The Bible does use figurative language, but so do you.  Every time you say, “I’m dead on my feet”, “That guy really missed the boat”, or “I’m as happy as a lark” – you are using figurative language.  Figurative language is a normal part of human conversation.  The Bible uses it just like you do.  The important thing to remember is that speech can only be considered figurative in certain circumstances.

1. If the writer or speaker specifically tells you that the language is figurative.  For example, Rev 1:1 says that the things in the book are ‘signified’, a word in Greek that means ‘symbolized’.
2. Context demands that it be considered figurative… like when Jesus says that we are “the salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13).  It wouldn’t make sense if He were trying to say that people are literally made of salt.

Bible writings should be considered literal unless there is a reason to believe otherwise – just like normal writings.  There is nothing wrong with saying the Bible uses figurative language; it is just important that we don’t assume something is figurative.  Always assume literal unless proven otherwise.