The Bible is clear: shortly after the creation, man sinned and became extremely wicked, so wicked that God was sorry He had made man. Then, God caused a great flood, destroying all mankind with the exception of Noah and his family. We are not sure how many souls died in this global flood, but suspect that it was many. A common question is, why is there no fossil evidence of those killed in the flood? There is fossil evidence of dinosaurs, mammoths, fish, vegetation, mosquitoes, and even raindrops, so why not evidence of the humans who died in the flood ? The answer to this question is simple and right before us: there is fossil evidence of humans dying in the flood; these humans are what are presently referred to as Neanderthal man; Neanderthal man meets the Biblical criteria for those who died in the flood very nicely.

There is no question that Neanderthal man lived on earth. Many partial skeletons have been found which have provided the scientific community with credible DNA sequences. These sequences reveal a small, but distinct genetic difference between the Neanderthal and modern man; this difference is approximately 1.3 percent in the mitochondrial DNA. If we examine the scriptures in Genesis and join them with the fossil and DNA evidence, we can explain this distinct genetic difference between Neanderthal and modern man.

Looking at the Biblical account of the flood, we find that there were sudden major changes to the environment and ecosystems. The entire earth was flooded which resulted in a change to the atmosphere which, in turn, resulted in a new ecosystem, no longer able to support huge dinosaurs with small nostrils and dragonflies with over 2 foot wingspans. Also, concerning humans, we know they lived much shorter lives after the flood as clearly documented in Genesis chapter 11. And, at the disembarkation from the Ark, God announced that He would allow the eating of meat. All of this leads us to realize that these significant changes would require a genetic reset of DNA. This genetic reset, which was executed by God, Himself, explains the distinct genetic differences between modern man and those before the flood, whom we have concluded are Neanderthals. Neanderthal fossils reveal that Neanderthal had larger brains than modern man, better bone structure, stronger teeth, better bites (occlusion), fewer genetic mutations (disease), and longer lifespan. For more details and references please read Genetics of Kinds and/or Neanderthal’s Identity.

Accepting Neanderthal man as those living before the flood, opens many doors and solves many mysteries such as: where does Neanderthal fit into the Bible’s history of man? Why are Neanderthals found in so many diverse locations? Why was Neanderthal physically superior to modern man? Why Neanderthal DNA is found in modern man? etc. Also, Neanderthal’s DNA has the potential of providing us with some secrets for improved health and long life.

The account of Noah’s Ark is central to our faith. It shows that God has power and authority over all creation and all life. He used his power and authority in a spectacular way: a global flood. This global flood is explained in detail in the book of Genesis. One point of curiosity is: how did God keep so many animals alive for so long  on the Ark? In this blog, we will look at what we know about the Ark and God’s toolbox to see if we can solve this mystery.

If one studies the detailed description of the Ark, with three decks and one window, it first appears that the Ark was best suited for growing mushrooms. However, we know God wanted to deliver more than mushrooms to the new world, and we know that God understands perfectly His creation and He is the author of life. Indeed, He delivered all those on the Ark to the new world without losing one (Genesis 8:18,19 ); and, amazingly, they were on the Ark for over a year. To do this took divine wisdom , but how did God chose to do it?

First of all, the name Noah means quiet, rest, and comfort. This may be a key. Maybe the voyage of Noah’s Ark was quiet, restful, and comforting. Maybe the creatures were put in some sort of trance or sleep.  If we check the Bible, we see that God has something in His toolbox that would accomplish this, and that is “Deep Sleep,” in Hebrew,  tardemah. We see tardemah used several times: once for alleviating pain, when Adam had his rib removed to form Eve (Genesis 2:21); once for revealing the future to Abraham, as he was entering into a new covenant with God (Genesis 15:12); and, once for protecting prey from the predator, when Saul and his army of 3000 had David surrounded (1 Samuel 26:12).  The Ark had all three of these needs: (1) God needed to prepare the creation physically for the new ecosystem which included eating meat, shorter life expectancy, and a different climate; (2) God was initiating a new covenant and needed to brief the creation on what to expect as well as comfort them; and, (3) He needed to protect the prey from the predators. It all fits and make sense. Not only did the deep sleep suit these needs, but also solved all the problems concerning workload, air quality, fresh water and food requirements, light, and space.

Even though the Ark carried many creatures, the Ark would have been quiet, and peaceful, and restful, just like the meaning of Noah’s name. So, here we can see a comforting picture: Noah’s Ark on the ocean with all the creatures asleep, knowing that they would be delivered safely to the new world, the new ecosystem, and the new covenant. When the time was right to disembark from the Ark, they would go their separate ways, and, for the first time, see the rainbow of promise.

For references and technical information, please read  Genetics of Kinds

Genesis chapters 1 and 2 have been a bit of a mystery in that they appear to be in conflict with one another. However, now that we understand DNA, these two chapters converge into one creation account that is logically and chronologically perfect.

Genesis chapter 1 presents the creation in the following sequence: heaven, earth, and light the first day; the firmament on the second day; then on the third day, grass, herbs and fruit; on the fourth day, the solar system and stars were created; the fifth day brought forth sea creatures and birds; and; on the six day man and animals were created. In summary, Genesis 1 documents the order of creation. Genesis chapter 2, on the other hand, documents the order in which life was given to the creation. Everything was created before the seventh day, but the plants had not been planted and neither animals nor man had the breath of life. God rested on the seventh day; if God had given man life on the sixth day, God could not have rested on the seventh; He wouldn’t abandon Adam nor would He want to miss Adam’s first day of life; but, after God rested, He formed Adam from the earth in accordance with the DNA created and selected on day 6; then, God gave Adam the breath of life and he, Adam, became a living soul.

We can compare this with the parable of the farmer who planted his field with good seed and then rested (Matthew 13:24). As the farmer rested, the seeds had not yet started growing, they were still dormant, still in seed form. In Genesis chapter 2, on day 8, God took the DNA created on day 6 and formed man, then breathed life into him. For those of you who study Hebrew, you will see that the word used in Genesis 1 is different from the one used in Genesis 2. The word used in Genesis 1 is “bara” having the sense of selecting, and in Genesis 2 the word “yatsar” has the sense of forming or squeezing into shape. Here is some of the Genesis 2 account of the creation:

Genesis 2:5 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up–for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground,

Genesis 2:7 then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.

Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Genesis 2:19 Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.

Genesis 2:20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. . (ESV)

So, Adam was given life first, then the plants, then the animals. It all makes sense.

This also explains Genesis 5:2 which has been a mystery until now:

Genesis 5:2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. (KJV)

He created them male and female and called their name Adam. He called their name Adam. Adam embodied all human genetic variation. Your genes, my genes, everyone’s genes were in Adam. We were all created on day 6 and God called our name “Adam;” the name “Adam” means “man.” It goes on to say “in the day when they were created.” Again, the they is us. Our DNA was created on day six, but we were formed and given life in our mother’s womb.

Dear friends and children, know that the Bible is true and can be trusted. Genesis chapters one and two are logically and chronologically perfect.