Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Primitive man question. Serious question.

Whether one agrees or disagrees with modern human ancestry and history claims and reports, it needs to be understood that all of this falls under historical science. Historical science looks way back and is an educated guess since we cannot use all the steps of the proven scientific method:


Observation: We cannot observe Neanderthals or other assumed early ancestors of man as they were living, just bones and artifacts that have been found. There isn't even a written historical record from that time period to study.

Testing/Analysis/Experiments: Since all we have is bones and tools the only testing that can be done are various age testing or study of tool marks on bones, etc... We cannot analyze a living creature, cannot test or experiment on a living neanderthal, nor can we fall back to recorded observation data done in real time. Plus there are numerous studies that show some errors in commonly used dating methods that should at least require further testing.

Nor can we go back and observe or test Adam and Eve, Noah, Global disasters and the people at the Tower of Babel.

With these two required components missing, any conclusions are still theory, not fact. Perhaps sound theories that make lots of sense to some, but not proven facts. Evolutionary theory has so invaded science that far too often the historical sciences (of which I am a fan and find very interesting) and their conclusions are considered fact when they are actually theories still.

It is a matter of worldview at this point. If you believe in long ages and modern man as descending from on common different species (or a long ages biblical model), then it makes perfect sense to think that Neanderthal or Homo Erectus were different species that died out and that homo sapiens evolved and rose and prospered. It can't be proven, but it makes sense because the science answers it for you.

If, however, you hold a literal Biblical worldview it should be very different. There is but one accurate and authoritative written history of the world, and that is God's Word which Christ upholds. This marks that in the beginning God created mankind in His image along with all of creation in a short time span and that sin did not enter the world before the fall of man in the garden. There are dates, timelines, and real recorded history. But it is still outside of man's physical capabilities to go back in time and observe and to test.

The difference between these worldviews?
For the Secular/Scientific Worldview: Mankind hold the answers and science is the proven tool to answer all questions about the past. It is man who has the ultimate knowledge and answers. The presupposition is that the world is really old and that evolution is true because science has proven it so so everything is seen in that light.

For the Biblical Worldview: God has given us not just his Word but faith and relationship with Him so that we can rely on His Word as forever faithful and true; God has all authority and knowledge; Science is a valuable tool to understand our world but it is not the source of all knowledge or understanding. Science can confirm the Bible in many cases if and only if we start with the presupposition that the Bible is true.

Were Neanderthals a variation of man with intelligence, skills and abilities in God's Image and not a different species? Are there major problems with many of the dating methods used? For some of us yes, for others no.

My point in all of this is that it is a great to study and learn about the past but not to assume theory is fact.