Our children's textbooks are filled with references to half-savage "cave men" from whom we allegedly descended. What can we say when our youngsters ask about such teachings?

Evolutionists are consummately skilled at employing distortions, half-truths, and the manipulation of evidence to advance their own philosophical agenda. There is no better example of this than the general evolutionary presentation relative to "cave dwellers."

Certainly there have been those of the ancient past (and even more recent times) who lived in caves. But the type of domicile in which a being dwells says nothing about his "humanity." A man who lives in a cave is no more "half-animal," than is a dog "half-human," who happens to live in a house. Consider the following facts.

1. The Bible itself speaks of those who lived in caves. After the destruction of Sodom and the other cities of the Plain, Lot and his daughters "dwelt in a cave" (Gen. 19:30). Caves were frequently used as places of refuge in biblical times (cf. Judg. 6:2; 1 Sam. 14:11; 22:1-2; 23:29; 1 Kings 18:4; 19:9; see also other general references, e.g., Num. 24:21; Song of Sol. 2:14; Jer. 49:16; Obad. 3).

2. Anthropological evidence from many cave sites reveals a strictly "human" mode of habitation. There is ample evidence of cooking, sewing, tools, pottery, art work, religious artifacts, and even furniture.

Within the caves of the so-called "Neanderthal" people in the region south of Haifa (Israel), there is an abundance of artifacts which reveal that these people were entirely human. [Note: The name "Neanderthal" is taken from a valley in northwest Germany where skeleton remains were found in a cave in 1856.]

For example, there were articles of personal adornment that were, in the words of one authority, "oddly like costume jewelry on sale today in American shops." And a "rock-cut divan has been found in the important caves of Ophel" near Jerusalem (see M. S. & J. L. Miller, Encyclopedia of Biblical Life, New York: Harper Bros., 1944, p. 235-236).

3. The more isolated and culturally-primitive peoples of our planet have continued to live in caves even in modern times. The Pueblo Indians lived in caves. Were they semi-human? A century ago people were still living in caves in Palestine (see McClintock & Strong, Cyclopedia, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1968, Vol. II, p. 168).

4. There are many tribes today, composed of people who are unquestionably and totally "human," yet, who are even less civilized than many of the cultures of the past -- thousands of years past! Contrast the ancient Egyptians with the modern Tasaday people of the Philippines. The Egyptians were much more sophisticated than the Tasaday folks -- who are classified as "stone-age" people.

Over the years evolutionists have contended that the "Neanderthals" were "semi-human brutes." That viewpoint has been progressively abandoned in recent years.

Dr. Carleton S. Coon, an anthropologist with the University of Pennsylvania, has argued that the Neanderthal race had a high level of culture for its time in history. Neanderthals were superior tool makers, skilled as hunters, employed paint, and had many uses for flint. Some of their artistic carvings were exquisite.

D. T. Dale Stewart of the Smithsonian Institution relates that a Neanderthal skeleton found in Iraq, had undergone surgical amputation of an arm above the elbow (cited by Dr. G. Richard Culp, Remember Thy Creator, Baker, 1975, p. 99).

Many evolutionists no longer make the outrageous claims they once did relative to the Neanderthal cave-dwellers. Dr. Ralph Holloway, an anthropologist who was affiliated with Columbia University in New York, stated that one "can't see anything that would mark a modern human brain as being superior -- or different in any significant way -- to that of Neandertal's" (quoted in: Robert Lewin, In the Age of Mankind, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books, 1988, p. 119).

We simply must not be intimidated, therefore, by the "cave men" propaganda in the evolutionary-dominated textbooks to which our children are exposed. We must study the issues carefully, and provide our youngsters with biblically sound, scientifically accurate information that will answer their sincere questions, and fortify their faith in this age of unbelief.

www.christiancourier.com/penpoints/cavemen.htm © 1998-2000 Christian Courier

We began last week to mail the bulletin in two separate lists. Those addresses within 100 miles of Corinth will be mailed every week. Those outside 100 miles will be mailed every two weeks. No one will miss a bulletin, it will just be mailed every other week. IF you prefer to receive yours every week, let us know and we'll keep you on the weekly list.

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LET US HEAR FROM YOU SOON!

Have you noticed how some people seem to major in the lives of others--always criticizing, always correcting, always condescending! We should appreciate those who show genuine care and concern for our lives, but that's not what we're talking about! We're talking about "headhunters." Jesus spoke about "mote inspectors" in Matt. 7:3-4. "...Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

Why is it that some are always looking in other people's closets instead of looking in their own? Answer: It's easier! Benjamin Disraeli said, "How much easier it is to be critical than correct."

This is not written to discourage us from expressing care and concern for others. It is written to remind us that the recognition of our own humanity (weakness and sinfulness) will help us be more guarded and humble in our approach to others. We all will profit by spending more time in our own closets! So will others! --Dwight Fuqua

GOSPEL MEETING: Mt. Zion church of Christ, April 1-5, 7pm. Sun. 9:30am Charles Leonard-The False Doctrine of Premillennialism, 10:30am-Will There be a Rapture?, 6:00pm-What about the Seven Years of Tribulation?, Mon. Robert Taylor-What Does the Bible say about the Battle of Armageddon?, Tues. W. D. Jeffcoat-The church, Prophecy and Premillennialism, Wed. Ronald Choate-What does the Bible say about the 1,000 year reign? Thurs. Garland Robinson-The Doctrine of Final Things.

GOSPEL MEETING: Antioch church of Christ, Blue Springs, MS. April 1-4. Garland will be doing the preaching.

ANNUAL East Main Lectureship, April 1-4. Sun. 9:45 Don McWhorter-An Active Congregation, 10:45 A Sound Congregation, 7:30 An Enduring Congregation, Mon. 7pm Kevin Williams-A Pure Congregation, Tues. 7pm B. J. Clarke-A Courageous Congregation, Wed. 7pm James Seagers-A Loving Congregation.

FOOD ITEM: Paper towels

r SHUT-INS: Pauline Irvin, Nellie Wallace, Mary Dexter, Annie Nauman, Faye Jackson, Clydie Morrow, Frances Massengill, Doug Kimbrough, Sula Perry, Harry Prater, Lucille Leatherwood, Dorothy Johnson.