What does the fossil record mean to you?
Discussion question for April 16, 2010.
This past week paleontologists announced a new discovery of hominids (human-like creatures) in South Africa that they claim to be the “missing link” between apes and human beings. How should a Christian respond to this news? What does it do to your faith and beliefs? Scientists say that these fossils are just under two million years old, how does that stack up with the Bible? For more information on the news report go here.
Here’s my summary of our discussion.
My first response is to recognize that all humans are in danger of finding what they’re looking for, if they are determined enough to find it. In other words, a paleontologist that is specifically looking for a “missing link” will be inclined to make that interpretation. A similar challenge for a Christian is “isogenics”, which means to read meaning into Scripture rather than to extract meaning from it.
Examples like this, a discovery of fossilized hominids, is often used by scientists to bolster their theories while refuting the faith traditionally held by Christians. It can be seen as an attack on what has been a fundamental belief, that God created the universe, world, and specifically man. This attack seems to be motivated by answering the question of “the origin of species” without regard to the faith answer provided in the Bible.
There is a spiritual element to the arguments. Deception finds its roots in the original sin, and the lies used by the devil to encourage that sin. Ever since then each of us is in a battle for right or wrong, love or self. God allows a deluding spirit to draw people away from truth so that the contrast is greater and greater. Some will recognize the Truth by contrast and repent; others will hold all the more firmly to their deception.
However, as Christians we should not be afraid to resolve the information. If the researchers claim these bones to be 1.8 million years old it doesn’t do us any good to devolve our argument to: “Taint – Tis so – Taint neither – Yes tis” ad infinitum. It is much more constructive to consider the methods and means used to make these predictions and then to hold them up to the light of Truth. Then their position that “it must be because …” can be called into question by asking “it might also be because …”
Discoveries (not conclusions) should be tools to draw us into meaningful conversation with non-believers that have no hope. Rather than retreat to our bunker and lob stuff at their bunker, we can dig deeper to discover the motivation behind their position. Perhaps a fear of death is driving them to prove there is no God (Hebrews 2:14-15). Perhaps a fear of morality is driving them to prove there is no God. The problem is not their conclusion but their fear – that is what holds them in bondage.
Discoveries of geological, anthropological, paleontological, and natural histories can bring us to a better understanding of God and His ways (Romans 1:20). We should not be afraid of these discoveries, nor deny them, but rather use them to bring fear of God to awe of God. The fossil records overwhelmingly support the history of a massive flood (Genesis 6), just like the variety of species overwhelmingly supports intelligent design (Genesis 2).
I believe a Christian should respond to these news items with excitement and enthusiasm. It helps us to know God better. If other people knew God like we know God, certainly they wouldn’t reject Him.