Should Jack start believing in giants?

It does not matter that a size-30 shoe was found outside of his window. Jack has gone to school where he has been taught that giants do not exist and does not want to look like a fool climbing a beanstalk.

Like Jack, evolutionists have been confronted with some hard evidence from eastern Montana – the discovery of soft tissue and flexible blood vessels inside the thigh bone of a Tyrannosaurus Rex*. And like Jack, they have been to school where they were taught that dinosaurs have not existed for seventy million years. It doesn’t matter that the Genesis record of creation can explain such a finding. They do not want to look like a fool by suggesting that their method of dating might be in error.

Responding to fellow evolutionists, one stated, “Finding these tissues in dinosaurs changes the way we think about fossilization, because our theories of how fossils are preserved don’t allow for this.” Imagine Jack saying, “Finding this shoe changes the way we think about the effect of weather on shoes.”

Jack needs to strongly consider the location of the big shoe. Likewise, evolutionists need to consider the location of this surprising bone – entombed in porous sandstone, hardly a vacuum seal. Realizing that biological material is soon broken down in the presence of ground water, an impartial investigator would quickly rule out the possibility of tissue remaining soft and squeezable after a million years. It has been suggested by the discoverer that more such bones may exist but have not been found because they are not being looked for - preconceived ideas are hindering the search. But now, more soft tissue has been found – in other T-Rex samples and in two Hadrosaurs – all of the “Cretaceous-period”.

Now, Jack we can excuse. After all, it’s just a story. But what about all the “knowledgeable” scientists who stubbornly cling to textbook age-assignments, even when faced with such glaring impossibilities?

Even Darwin admitted difficulties with his own theory: “To suppose that the eye with all its (complexities) could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree.” (Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species, P. 75)

For the truth-searcher who is open and interested in considering the evidences for creation, there are some great sites to explore, like www.answersingenesis.org and www.icr.org. There’s far more than a giant to be found. Of course, if you want to read about the ancient giants of Genesis, see the novel.

*2005 discovery by Dr. Mary Schweitzer, reported in Science magazine, describes T. Rex bone tissue as “soft,” fibrous,” “flexible,” and “resilient”. MSNBC Science Editor Alan Boyle reported on July 24, 2007, “Today, paleontologists are still stunned – not only to find material that looks like dinosaur cartilage, blood vessels, blood cells and bone cells, but to see the stuff in so many different specimens.” It has come to light that similar findings have been found elsewhere (but not widely reported). Other reports were published in 2007 and 2009 (Science). See article, “Dinosaur Soft Tissue Issue Is Here to Stay” (Sept. Acts & Facts, ICR).

Mysteries of the Ancient World

Three marvelous mysteries spark the imagination concerning world wonders of the ancient time.
(1) The centennial ages recorded of early man
(2) Legends and fossils of giants
(3) Strange descriptions of creatures

Over five years were spent in research and discovery before planning the novel, The Ninth Generation, which led to further study, questions and speculation as to what it might have been like living in such a mysterious and dark time of history.

Found in the fourth and fifth chapters of Genesis are the best documented records of how long the early patriarchs lived, averaging above nine-hundred years before the birth of Noah - His father, Lameck, was still youthful at 56 when his great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Adam, died at 930 years-of-age. What unique and fascinating family reunions must have occurred with seven grandfathers all alive together with their multitudinous offspring. What wisdom and experiences must have been shared over the near millennium.

Besides the Hebrew historical records, the fossil remains also testify to a lush semi-tropical environment and the presence of giants, both among the animal and plant world. Two-legged giants are an interesting discussion, but dinosaurs, as they now are called, were earlier referred to as dragons and are widely described in ancient records of many nations - even in cave drawings. There is no shortage of bones and literature describing these creatures. Even soft, squeezable blood vessels have been discovered in an unearthed T-Rex, challenging the conventional age-dating methods.

Among the plants, horsetail reeds that today grow five feet high in the past reached heights of fifty feet. Dragonflies once had wingspans of almost three feet - their fossil impressions are in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. And cockroaches grew up to a foot long - What a messy stomp.

Evidence exists that the entire earthly climate was far more pleasurable in the ancient past. Fossils of palm fronds have been found on northern Vancouver Island in Canada. Within the arctic circle, fossilized fruit trees - with the fruit - have been uncovered in the Spitzbergen Islands. And remains of redwood forests have been found buried beneath masssive ice deposits at the South Polar region.

All of this may be of interest and perhaps already known by many, but another much different type of discovery caused this author reason to suspect that the ancients may have had to make their homes high within the trees for their own safety. Herein begins the tension for the novel - historical fiction, yet potential reality.

While reading a parallel version of Genesis from The Torah - a Jewish translation in English - my eyes were opened to verse four of chapter six: "It was then, and later too, that the Nephilim (giants) appeared on earth - when the divine beings cohabited with the daughters of men, who bore them offspring. They were the heroes of old..."

Further research in ancient writings, including the Book of Enoch, revealed the specter of canabilism within this race of giants - a growing threat to a civilization already besieged by other forms of evil. More than once, the possibility arose that this antediluvian world may have provided the foundation for many of the later mythologies - the dawn of legends.

One especially interesting example is found in a Penguin Classic, Pausanias Guide to Greece. Pausanius was a doctor from Asia Minor who lived in the second century A.D., and spent years exploring and documenting details of the Greek cities. At one point (page 350) he describes a creature that had been preserved by pickling among the wonders of Rome: "Certainly a sight; the hair on their heads...its froggy color...sleek...bodies bristling with very fine scales...gills behind the ears and a human nose, but a very big mouth and the teeth of a wild beast...eyes were greenish-grey...hands and fingers and fingernails crusted like sea-shells. From the breast and belly down they have a dolphin's tail instead of feet."

Were these things the result of genetic manipulation - a deliberate sabatoge of the created order by the "divine beings", along with the Nephilim giants? For the interested reader who is willing to walk the thin line between fantasy and reality, herein is an invitation to step back into Genesis and an epic time-frame of history. Walk among the behemoths and face Leviathan in a preflood world of unspoiled beauty. Wake up in a tree home to the sound of a ram's horn - the signal of another daughter missing from the valley. There's enough adrenalin packed in this thriller adventure to launch any adventure lover into a world of wonder.

The Ninth Generation: Conquering the Giants / ISBN 978-1-60477-656-0

Is Leviathan merely a metaphor?

The name, Leviathan, can be used to describe a huge oceangoing ship, or a totalitarian state having a vast bureaucracy… such usages have become common-place to illustrate anything large and formidable. But how did the word originate and is it merely a metaphor?

Webster defines it as, “…a sea monster represented as an adversary defeated by Yahweh in various Scriptural accounts.” The earliest historical writing that describes Leviathan in detail is found in the Biblical book of Job, chapter 41-

“Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook?...Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more…Who can open the doors of his face? His teeth are terrible…Out of his nostrils goeth smoke…His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth…When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid…He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood…Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear…He maketh the deep to boil like a pot…a path to shine after him…Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.”

In the Revised Version of the Bible, and also in The Torah, the creation account in Genesis, chapter one, verse 21, reads: “…God created the great sea monsters…” Was this meant to be taken figuratively? This question is asked with respect toward the inspired Word of God, those Holy Scriptures that accurately foretell the future from the past. Unless one is prepared to place himself as judge over the Bible, there is no justification in dismissing this account, or twisting its meaning as some have done with the Behemoth in Job, Chapter 40, supposing that an elephant could have a tail like a cedar tree.

The reality of Leviathan becomes clear when the writings of Job are better understood. Up until the final chapters, God had been allowing the testing of Job’s faith and was bringing him out of a condition of pride – that which Leviathan illustrated. Toward the end of the book, God was examining Job, comparing Himself with the things that He created, Leviathan being the last and most awe-inspiring of His earthly feats.

To say, then, that God was comparing His greatness with a metaphor does not consider the context in its rightful way. The great sea creature, Leviathan, had to exist in order for Job to finally admit, in chapter 42, “…I know that thou canst do everything…I have heard of thee…but now mine eye seeth thee…I repent…” The reasoning being that if the creation is awe-inspiring then how much greater must be the One who made it. If men knew it was crazy to stir up Leviathan, “…who then is able to stand before Me?” (41:10)

In the novel, The Ninth Generation, Leviathan is part of the ancient adventure. For those wondering what it might have been like to have lived in such a time of history, step back into Genesis and see. A description of the dreadful creature is found about halfway through the book as the heathen priests await its approach to their river sacrifice platform:

“The rolling movement on the surface of the Pison could be seen in the distance. A serpentine path was being traced from the inlet by the turbulent force beneath, sending swells splashing against the bank…As it neared, the long twisting shadow parted the water with a snort of smoke…a chilling roar erupted from below. The platform shook…a scream and collective gasp broke the silence…Leviathan’s head and long neck had risen to the height of the platform. Eyes like the morning sun were fixed on the basket, still swinging, and upon the apprentice, whose hand had dropped from the wooden cross member…huddled on his knees. The jaws had been shut, but suddenly they opened like iron gates. Rows of swords sent shivers through the high priest’s body. Then sparks of light within ignited a burst of flame. Jathron turned, clutching the rail with both arms. The blast of heat could be felt against his back and legs. Behind him there was a shriek, then a splintering jolt… followed by the crashing rush of water from below. Jathron slowly turned his head and looked. A jagged blackened edge was all that remained of the river side of the platform. Trembling, he returned to the temple.”

Merely a metaphor, or figure of speech? This author is one who is comforted to read in Psalm 74:13-14, speaking of God, “…thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.” Apparently, it took the power of God to deal with such a creature in the past and it seems to have been a real historical event which resulted in the distribution of leviathan burgers. The prophet Isaiah (27:1) also states, “In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.” Has “that day” happened? Hopefully…but we would be wise to consider that spiritual counterpart – Satan, man’s adversary. From him, we all need the protection of the LORD Jesus, man’s sacrificial substitute and advocate.

Visit the Novel Discovery Site for The Ninth Generation: Surviving the Giants of the pre-flood Earth, at www.TheNinthGeneration.com.