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Dinosaurs and Creation: Questions and Answers

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Dinosaurs A book review

It is not farfetched to say that dinosaurs have been used extensively as an entrance into accepting evolutionary ideas. Many book stores and libraries have multiple listings of books and magazines about the creatures of the misty past. Most place these reptiles into some kind of evolutionary framework. The majority of publications seem intended for consumption by children. There are coloring books, picture(?) books, and stories about them, hoping the young readers can identify with the age of the dinosaurs, an age often assumed to be millions and millions of years ago. In more recent years several books have been published with the hope of bringing balance to this subject. One of these is: "Dinosaurs and Creation", by Dr. Donald DeYoung. Published this year by Baker Book House, this book is comprised of 50 frequently asked question (FAQ) about dinosaurs.

DeYoung chairs the Natural Science Division at Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana and is president of the Creation Research Society. He is no stranger to the battle between evolution and creation. DeYoung lets his readers know, up front in the introduction, that this 120 page book presents dinosaur material from the creationary perspective. "Clearly the creationist view of dinosaurs," he says, "presented in this book is at odds with the interpretation of most natural history museums," and he gives several points as to what is meant by the creationary view. He notes that the "creation view ...provides many new avenues to explore." While standing firmly on the creationary path, DeYoung encourges his readers to consider an alternative perspective when thinking about dinosaurs.

Dinosaurs and Creation has five parts: Dinosaurs and History, Dinosaurs and Modern Times, The Dinosaur Family, The Biology of Dinosaurs and The Physics of Dinosaurs. In each he begins with asking common questions and providing balanced answers, noting both the evolutionary as well as the creationary stance. The book is not intended for very young readers; their understanding would be limited by the vocabulary but older children, maybe over 10 years of age and parents would benefit from this book. This would especially be true for parents wishing to have good answers when the youngsters come up with some tough questions. Or when an opportunity arises to assist children to appreciate good science, and not fanciful imaginations. There are a few graphics and drawings but the book is largely text.

DeYoung, for example, deals with the possibility of radiometric dating of dinosaurs and where do these creatures fit into biblical history; he looks at the various ideas about dinosaur extinction and dinosaur physiology. There is a list of scripture references to dinosaurian type of creatures, a summary of dinosaur names & a good glossary of words often used when discussing dinosaurs.

It is a generally easy-to-read book and can be a helpful source on an interesting topic. It would be a good item for anyone's bookshelf.

Reviewed: August 23, 2000

Dan Schobert

Very useful resource for me and my children to discuss and critically analyze the origins and research that supports creation.

Since I believe that Genesis 1-11 literally took place and since I believe that science must bow its knee to Scripture and not vise versa, I have longed believed that dinosaurs and humanity did in fact exist together and not millions of years apart. While this short review will not allow for me to give my own reasons for this belief, this book does a good job of putting the facts together for those willing to read and believe.

Dr. Deyoung has done a good job of taking the facts of the dinosaurs and showing how they do not conflict with biblical creation (Genesis 1-2). Dr. Deyoung believes in a literal six-day creation with God creating the dinosaurs along with all of other life forms found on our planet. He combines well researched science with a view that the Bible alone is the Word of God and it alone tells our origins.

Overall those who believe in a long age theory of Genesis 1-2 or those who completely reject the Bible as truthful will have problems with Deyoung's view but those who are true disciples will love what Deyoung has to say.

Mr Deyoung makes the classic mistake of all people trying to use science to further their particular point of view. He looks only at what he likes and not at the totality of evidence. He throws out what doesn't match his opinion. Science and religion are oil and water, religion tries to remake the world in its image; science tries to explain the image looked at with available evidence. In science the explaination changes constantly due to new evidence. In religion, there can be no new evidence, only new ways to bend what can't be justified with the original dogmas. If you wish learn science, learn it from a scientist not a religionist.