Unmasking the Myth | God's Creation vs. Millions of Years of Death and Decay

Challenging the concept of millions of years of disease, decay, and death before humanity by exploring the biblical narrative of creation, emphasizing that these afflictions entered the world after the Fall and are not part of God’s original good creation.

Have you ever wondered if the concept of millions of years of death, disease, and decay aligns with the biblical account of creation? What if everything you believed about the ancient past clashed with the true nature of God as revealed in the Scriptures? In this article, we dive deep into the fossil records, biblical principles, and God’s perspective on good and evil. We will explore the stark contrasts between the evolutionary worldview and the Genesis narrative, uncovering profound insights about disease, decay, and death. Prepare to challenge conventional beliefs and discover a biblical understanding that reveals the true nature of God’s creation and His ultimate plan for redemption.

My Father

Several years ago, my father died of cancer. His cancer was linked to his smoking habit that lasted over fifty years. Even though he quit smoking long before his death, the cancer emerged roughly two decades after he quit. He managed to control it for quite some time through immunotherapy. During this period, he had to take medication for a blood clot. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of this medicine was a loss of appetite, which he experienced. This loss of appetite marked the beginning of the end. As his appetite decreased, his body thought he was fasting, which negatively affected his treatment. Eventually, the cancer returned with a vengeance, spreading to his brain.

In November, my father passed into glory, and I bless the cancer that led to his death!

I don’t just bless his cancer; I bless all the deaths and diseases that have affected my family. I bless the miscarriages that have occurred throughout the world, the death of children, and the suffering of millions outside my family. I bless them all without hesitation!

I bless them because God blesses them, right? If they’re part of God’s magnificent creation, they must be good, correct? We are supposed to bless the things God blesses, call things “good” that God says are good, and so forth, correct?

NO! God did not bless cancer, disease, decay, and death! However, those who believe that the universe, Earth, and humanity have existed for millions and billions of years must conclude that God did “bless” cancer, disease, decay, and death if they adhere to a “long-year” interpretation and evolutionary worldview while reading the Genesis account, If God did indeed call corruption “good” and blessed the seventh day, on which He rested from all His good works, including my Father’s cancer, then there is a massive inconsistency with the character of God.

Cancer, disease, decay, and death can be found in the fossil records. Still, the idea of “long years” and evolution doesn’t add up when we put current worldviews and the Holy Bible – specifically the Genesis account of creation. In this article, I’ll discuss the inconsistency of holding to the views of “long years” and evolution in light of the historical Genesis narrative. We’ll explore:

Cancer and diseases found in the fossil records.
How God sees things that are good.
How God sees things that are evil.
Are cancer, disease, decay, and death good?
Do the millions and billions of years add up?

The Fossil Records

The discovery of diseases in ancient life forms, ranging from dinosaurs to primitive humans and even plants, provides a fascinating glimpse into the evolutionary history of health and disease. These findings highlight the continuity of ailments across millions of years and underscore the long-term persistence of certain diseases.

In dinosaurs, the discovery of malignant bone cancer in a Centrosaurus fossil from Alberta, Canada, marked a significant milestone. Researchers identified osteosarcoma through a multidisciplinary approach involving high-resolution CT scans and microscopic examinations. This particular case demonstrated that dinosaurs, much like humans, were susceptible to cancers. The study of this 76-million-year-old dinosaur bone suggests that such diseases have ancient evolutionary origins, predating the mammal-reptile split over 300 million years ago. Additionally, other pathologies, such as arthritis and infections, have been identified in dinosaur fossils, indicating that these ancient creatures experienced a range of health issues similar to those seen in modern animals (Smithsonian; Science Connected Magazine; Nerdist).

In the realm of primitive humanity, evidence of diseases has been uncovered through fossil records. A malignant tumor in a 1.7-million-year-old hominin foot bone from Swartkrans Cave in South Africa represents the earliest known case of cancer in a human ancestor. Similarly, infectious diseases like tuberculosis have been identified in ancient human remains, with spinal lesions characteristic of tuberculosis found in a 9,000-year-old skeleton from the Eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore, Neolithic remains from Northern Vietnam revealed probable cases of Treponema pallidum infection, the bacterium responsible for syphilis, dating back to 2000–1500 B.C. These findings illustrate that early human populations were affected by a range of chronic and infectious diseases, much like contemporary societies (ScienceDaily; GAVI).

Ancient plants, too, were not immune to diseases. Fossilized plants from 400 million years ago show evidence of fungal infections, indicating that these ancient organisms faced challenges similar to those of modern flora. Fossil leaves from the Cretaceous period also exhibit plant galls caused by insects or other organisms, demonstrating long-standing parasitic relationships. These discoveries highlight the continuity of plant diseases over millions of years and provide valuable insights into the ecological interactions of ancient ecosystems (GAVI).

These discoveries not only paint a detailed picture of the health challenges faced by ancient organisms but also provide crucial insights into the evolution of diseases. Understanding the deep evolutionary history of ailments such as cancer, tuberculosis, and fungal infections can inform modern medical research and potentially lead to better treatments and prevention strategies.

The fossil records offer a detailed look into the history of disease and decay in ancient life forms, highlighting the prevalence of ailments such as cancer, infections, and other pathologies in dinosaurs, primitive humans, and plants. These discoveries underscore the persistence of disease and decay throughout ancient times, which some interpret as evidence supporting long geological ages. However, a different picture emerges when we turn to the biblical narrative. The Bible presents a creation that was originally “very good,” free from disease, decay, and death. This foundational truth about God’s creation directs us to understand what God considers good and how we are to align our values accordingly. By examining how God sees things that are good, we can gain a deeper appreciation of His perfect and holy nature and the true state of the world as He intended it to be.

Citations:

Smithsonian. “Dinosaurs Suffered From Cancer, Too.” Smithsonian Magazine. Accessed May 21, 2024. www.smithsonianmag.com.
Science Connected Magazine. “The Case of Malignant Cancer in a Dinosaur.” Science Connected Magazine. Accessed May 21, 2024. magazine.scienceconnected.org.
Nerdist. “Researchers Discover Cancer in Dinosaur Fossil.” Nerdist. Accessed May 21, 2024. nerdist.com.
ScienceDaily. “Archaeology Uncovers Infectious Disease Spread 4000 Years Ago.” ScienceDaily. Accessed May 21, 2024. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200921091535.htm.
GAVI. “5 Ancient Diseases and What the Ancients Said About Them.” GAVI. Accessed May 21, 2024. www.gavi.org.

How God Sees Things That Are “Good”

Understanding the biblical perspective on blessing what God blesses and seeing good in what God sees as good is crucial for aligning our values and actions with divine principles. According to the scriptures, we are encouraged to recognize and affirm the blessings and goodness that God has established.

In Genesis 12:3, God promises to bless those who bless Abraham, indicating a broader principle that God’s blessings extend to those who align themselves with His chosen ones. This promise not only underscores the importance of supporting those whom God has blessed but also highlights the broader covenant relationship between God and humanity. Similarly, the Aaronic Blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 reflects the desire for God’s protection, grace, and peace upon His people, encapsulating the essence of divine favor and blessing. This prayer for blessing is a model for how believers can invoke and recognize God’s goodness in their lives and communities.

The Psalms also offer profound insights into blessing and recognizing God’s goodness. Psalm 103:1-2 calls on believers to bless the Lord and remember His benefits, including forgiveness and healing. This reflection encourages a posture of gratitude and recognition of God’s continuous blessings. In the New Testament, Ephesians 1:3 speaks of the spiritual blessings we receive in Christ, emphasizing that these blessings are not just material but also deeply spiritual and eternal, shaping our understanding of what it means to be truly blessed by God.

Recognizing what is good according to God’s perspective is equally important. Genesis 1:31 shows that God saw all He had made and declared it very good, setting a precedent for seeing the inherent goodness in God’s creation. Micah 6:8 further elaborates on this by summarizing what God requires: to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. This verse captures the ethical and moral dimensions of what God sees as good and urges believers to embody these qualities.

Philippians 4:8 offers practical advice on focusing on what is virtuous and praiseworthy, encouraging believers to think about and pursue things that align with God’s goodness. Romans 12:2 calls for a transformation of mind to discern and embrace God’s will, which is good, acceptable, and perfect. This transformation involves a continuous process of aligning our thoughts and actions with divine principles, ensuring that we see and affirm what God deems good.

Citations:

Genesis 12:3 (KJV)
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
Psalm 103:1-2 (KJV)
Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)
Genesis 1:31 (KJV)
Micah 6:8 (KJV)
Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Romans 12:2 (KJV)

How God Sees Things That Are “Evil”

Understanding what the Bible instructs about blessing what God blesses and recognizing what God sees as good leads naturally to a related discussion: God’s nature in relation to evil. The Bible is clear that God does not create nor rejoice in evil, further affirming His pure and holy nature. This understanding helps believers align their values with God’s righteousness.

The scripture in James 1:13 explicitly states that God cannot be tempted with evil, nor does He tempt anyone with it. This verse underscores the fact that God is not the source of evil and does not lead anyone into wrongdoing. This foundational truth about God’s nature reassures believers that they can trust in His goodness and righteousness. Similarly, Habakkuk 1:13 highlights that God’s eyes are too pure to look upon evil and cannot tolerate iniquity. This imagery conveys the absolute holiness of God, emphasizing that He is completely separate from any form of wickedness.

Additionally, 1 John 1:5 declares that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. This metaphor of light and darkness is powerful, illustrating the purity and holiness of God in stark contrast to the evil and sin represented by darkness. It reinforces the understanding that God is entirely good and has no association with evil. The consistency of this message throughout the Bible provides a strong foundation for believers to trust in God’s righteous character.

Moreover, the Bible teaches that God does not take pleasure in evil actions or outcomes. Proverbs 15:26 tells us that the thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him. This verse makes it clear that God detests wickedness and finds joy in purity and righteousness. Ezekiel 18:23 further illustrates this by expressing that God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rather desires their repentance and life. This reflects God’s compassionate and redemptive nature, seeking the good of His creation rather than their destruction.

Psalm 5:4 explicitly states that God does not take pleasure in wickedness and that evil cannot dwell with Him. This verse succinctly summarizes God’s stance on evil, affirming that He is inherently opposed to it. The idea that God cannot tolerate evil and does not rejoice in it is consistent throughout the scriptures, offering a clear picture of His character.

Citations:

James 1:13 (KJV)
Habakkuk 1:13 (KJV)
1 John 1:5 (KJV)
Proverbs 15:26 (KJV)
Ezekiel 18:23 (KJV)
Psalm 5:4 (KJV)

So, Does God See Cancer, Disease, Decay, and Death As “Good?”

Transitioning from the discussion of God’s nature concerning evil, it is essential to address whether the God of the Bible would consider disease, cancer, decay, and death as “good” or bless these afflictions. Based on the Holy Bible, God does not regard these conditions as good nor does He bless them. Instead, the scriptures portray these afflictions as consequences of a fallen world, which God ultimately seeks to redeem.

Disease and Sickness

In Exodus 15:26, God promises the Israelites that if they obey His commandments, He will protect them from diseases: “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” This verse clearly shows that God’s desire is to heal and protect His people from sickness, indicating that disease is not something He considers good.

Psalm 103:2-3 further reinforces this perspective: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” The psalmist praises God for His healing power, implying that diseases are not viewed as good or blessed but as conditions that God seeks to remedy.

Cancer and Other Serious Illnesses

While the Bible does not mention cancer explicitly, the healing nature of God is consistent throughout scripture. As seen in Psalm 103:2-3, God’s blessings include the healing of all diseases. This passage suggests that illnesses like cancer are part of the brokenness of the world, which God aims to restore.

Decay and Corruption

Romans 8:20-21 speaks to the state of decay and corruption in creation: “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” This passage indicates that decay is not a state God considers good; rather, it is something from which creation needs deliverance.

Death

Death is explicitly described as an enemy in 1 Corinthians 15:26: “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” This verse portrays death as an adversary, not something good or blessed by God. Furthermore, Revelation 21:4 offers a vision of the new creation where “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” In this future reality, death and pain are eradicated, reflecting God’s ultimate plan to abolish these afflictions entirely.

Citations:

Exodus 15:26 (KJV)
Psalm 103:2-3 (KJV)
Romans 8:20-21 (KJV)
1 Corinthians 15:26 (KJV)
Revelation 21:4 (KJV)

Do The Millions and Billions Of Years Add Up?

Reflecting on the death of my father from cancer and the suffering from various diseases and deaths within my family and beyond raises profound questions about the nature of these afflictions and their place in God’s creation. It’s essential to understand that these conditions—cancer, disease, decay, and death—are not seen as good by God, nor does He bless them. This understanding is crucial when considering the Genesis account of creation and the timeline it provides.

According to the Bible, God created the universe, the Earth, and humanity in a literal six days. Genesis 1:31 states, “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” This declaration of goodness includes all aspects of creation, indicating a world free from disease, decay, and death. Genesis 2:3 further emphasizes this perfection by noting that God blessed the seventh day, resting from His work in a wholly good creation.

However, the entrance of sin into the world through the Fall of Adam and Eve brought about a fundamental change. Genesis 3:17-19 describes the curse placed upon the ground and humanity: “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee… till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” This passage indicates that disease, decay, and death entered the world as consequences of sin, not as elements of the original creation.

The notion that the universe, Earth, and life have existed for millions or billions of years, with death and decay present throughout, contradicts this biblical account. If such a timeline were accurate, it would imply that God deemed these afflictions as good during creation, which conflicts with His nature as revealed in the scriptures. James 1:13 asserts, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” This verse affirms that God does not create or condone evil, including the evils of disease and death.

Furthermore, Romans 8:20-21 speaks to the current state of creation, subject to vanity and corruption but with a hope for future redemption: “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” This passage highlights that decay and corruption are temporary conditions resulting from the Fall, not part of the original good creation.

Death, in particular, is described as an enemy in 1 Corinthians 15:26: “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” This portrayal of death as an adversary further supports the view that death is not part of God’s good creation but a consequence of sin. Revelation 21:4 offers a vision of the ultimate eradication of death, pain, and suffering: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

In light of these scriptures, the belief in a creation that includes millions of years of death and decay before the Fall does not align with the biblical narrative. Instead, the Bible presents a consistent message that disease, cancer, decay, and death are not good nor blessed by God. These conditions result from a fallen world, and God’s plan is to redeem and restore His creation to its original, perfect state.

By examining the fossil records and the biblical accounts, it becomes clear that the long-years interpretation and evolutionary worldview conflict with the scriptural understanding of creation. The Bible’s depiction of a literal six-day creation, followed by the introduction of sin and its consequences, offers a coherent explanation for the existence of disease, decay, and death, emphasizing God’s ultimate plan for redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ.

Citations: