DO WE DARE[i] THE DINOSAURS AND DRAGONS?

There still is some controversy surrounding the name Brontosaurus. When Marsh discovered some partial remains of this dinosaur in 1877 he named it Apatosaurus Ajax after the Greek god Ajax.[ii] However, when he discovered a more complete skeleton two years later, he named it Brontosaurus Excelsus.[iii] 

In 1903, scientists realized that these two specimens were actually the same type of dinosaur. With that being the case, according to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, the oldest name would be the correct one: however, the Brontosaurus name seemed to be more agreeable with the imagination of the public and continues to be used to this day.[iv]

Several computer simulations have been conducted on how the tail worked on the Brontosaurus.[v] One simulation—introduced in the 1997 issue of Discover Magazine—showed that the tail of these creatures behaved much like a bull whip does, and that by “cracking” its tail like a bullwhip, then this creature could produce a cracking sound that was over 200 decibels, or louder than the firing of a cannon.

JOB 40:15-24 Speaks of One Such Magnificent Land Animal

15. Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16. Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17. He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18. His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19. He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20. Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21. He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22. The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23. Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
24. He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares (Job 40:15-24).

There are so many areas for discussion and controversy here. Questions abound, but the scriptural accounts seem to bear out what scientist have found.

1. 1. Was there enough vegetation to sustain them indefinitely?
   2. Should we believe man lived contemporaty with these beasts?
   3. Dinosaurs fascinate children, so why do we not delve more in to sacred literature to educate them.
   4. Is there any animal in secular history similar to these dinosaurs?
   5. With the presumed fierceness and fearlessness they possessed, what caused them to become extinct?
   6. Could this now extinct animal have been called by any other name?
   7. What ancient culture claims such a ferocious beast?

Read the following biblical account carefully and consider that some early  King James translators may not have understood because they had not lived with such beasts.  Several lesser animals were thought to be what the Lord calls Leviathan.

Job 41:1-34 Speaks of a Savage Sea Animal

1. Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2. Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3. Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
4. Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5. Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens
6. Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
7. Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
8. Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
9. Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
10. None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
11. Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
12. I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13. Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
14. Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
15. His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
16. One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
17. They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
18. By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
19. Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
20. Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
21. His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
22. In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
23. The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
24. His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether
25. When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
26. The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
27. He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
28. The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
29. Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
30. Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
31. He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
32. He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33. Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
34. He beholdeth all high things:he is a king over all the children of pride.

[i] https://www.freethesaurus.com/daring“>FreeThesaurus.com

[ii] <a href=”https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Mortals/Ajax/ajax.html”>Ajax: GreekMythology.com</a> – Oct 05, 2017

[iii] https://www.newdinosaurs.com/apatosaurus/

[iv] https://www.newdinosaurs.com/apatosaurus/

[v] https://www.livescience.com/52538-supersonic-sauropods.html