Ken Ham - Did Adam Have a Bellybutton?: And Other Tough Questions about the Bible

DID ADAM

HAVE A

BELLYBUTTON?

AND OTHER TOUGH

QUESTIONS ABOUT

THE BIBLE

by

KEN HAM

Master Books

First printing, February 2000

Seventh printing, August 2009

Copyright 1999 by Answers in Genesis. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of single page reproductions for church bulletins. For information write: Master Books, P.O. Box 726, Green Forest, AR 72638.

ISBN-13: 978-0-89051-283-8

ISBN: 0-89051-283-3

Library of Congress Card Number: 99-069313

Printed in the United States of America

Text layout: Diane King

Cover Illustration: Bryan Miller, Miller Illustration

Cover Design: Janell Robertson

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Table of Contents

Note: The question of whether Adam had a bellybutton

is answered on page 183.

the

Book

of

Genesis

Garden of Eden

Q.

Are the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2 contradictory?

A.

First, we need to understand that Genesis 1 gives an order of creation that was chronological days one, two, three, four, five, and six. But Genesis 2 is not meant to be a chronology. Its intended to provide the details of day six, especially the creation of man and woman. Chapter 2 is setting the scene for what happens in Genesis 3. Therefore, these arent contradictory accounts but complementary.

For example, in Genesis 1:27 it states that God made male and female. In Genesis 2, were given the details as to how God did this by taking dust and making the man, and making a woman from his side.

Christ himself quoted from both these passages in Matthew 19 when giving the foundation for the doctrine of marriage. So, He certainly didnt believe that they were contradictory.

The answers from Genesis tell us that Genesis 2 is just a more detailed account of portions of Genesis 1.

Q.

Do men have one less rib than women because God took a rib from Adams side to make Eve?

A.

Men and women have exactly the same number of ribs. But its an important question, and not as silly as it might sound. Let me explain.

First, just because God took a rib from Adam to make Eve would not mean that all of Adams male descendants would have one less rib. Remember, its our genes that determine how many ribs a person will have.

For example, if I lost a finger in an accident, and then had more children, they would not have one less finger! This is because the blueprint for our bodies is in the genes, the DNA in our cells. So if we lose something like a rib or a finger, this in no way affects the genes which we pass on to our children.

Second, remember from your biology that ribs regenerate. In other words, Adam wouldve had his missing rib back quite quickly.

A fascinating question, with an answer from Genesis!

Q.

How was Adam able to name all the animals on the sixth day of creation, and how was he later able to remember all of their names?

A.

First, we need to understand that just because we wouldnt have the brain power to come up with names for the many animals that God created, doesnt mean that Adam couldnt. You see, Adam had a perfect brain. We dont, because our brain has suffered from thousands of years of sin and the curse. Frankly, were nowhere near as intelligent as Adam was.

Now think about this: our brain is considered to be the most complicated structure in the entire universe. Its far more complicated than the most advanced super computer we have today. And remember, its mans brain that invents computers. When God first made Adams brain with a perfect memory, it would be easy for Adam to name all the animals and to remember millions of pieces of information. If our own brain can make a computer to store information, then our all-powerful God can certainly make Adams brain to do much more.

The answers in Genesis naming the animals and remembering their names was easy for Adam.

Q.

Was the Garden of Eden in the Middle East, where we find the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers?

A.

Well, Im afraid I have to tell you that we have absolutely no idea where the Garden of Eden was located.

The Bible describes the Garden as being associated with four rivers that arise from one source. This description does not fit with the location of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers today. Furthermore, this area of the Middle East is on top of thousands of feet of rocks containing billions of dead things.

Think about this: Since death came into the world after sin, we cannot have the Garden of Eden sitting on billions of dead bones showing evidence of diseases, pain, and suffering!

You see, we need to remember that the whole world was destroyed by the flood of Noahs day. The Garden of Eden wouldve also been destroyed. During the flood, the continents probably split apart forming a totally different-looking earth to that before the flood.

When Noah came out of the ark and into this new world, he wouldve used names he was familiar with, like Tigris and Euphrates, to name the rivers he saw.

Q.

Does the Bible tell us whether or not Adam and Eve could eat meat?

A.

In Genesis 1:30, were told that God created a perfect world, and He instructed the beasts of the earth, the fowl of the air, and everything that creeps on the earth to eat every green herb for food. In other words, the animals originally were created to be vegetarian. Now what about Adam and Eve?

First, we need to know that the Bible teaches that there was no death or bloodshed until after Adam sinned. So man also was created to be vegetarian, but was told that he could eat meat after the flood. (Thats found in Genesis 9.)

Once we have our answers from Genesis, we can understand why the world is full of death and suffering today. Its because of sin. Originally, man and animals were all vegetarian. The fact that many creatures are not vegetarian today is actually a reminder of Adams rebellion and our rebellion against our Creator, and our need for a Savior.

Q.

Didnt the plants die when animals ate them in the Garden of Eden?

A.

When I make the claim that the Bible teaches there was no death before sin, Im referring to the death and bloodshed of animals and humans.

When God originally made the animals, He created them to be vegetarian. It was only after the Fall that man was told that he could eat meat. However, if animals and man ate plants before sin, doesnt that mean that there was death because plants died?

Well, the Bible has the answer. It tells us that plants are not living in the same sense that animals are. The Hebrew word nephesh is used in Genesis for animals and man. This word signifies the life principle that animals and man have. But this word isnt used for plants. They dont have the life principle that animals have. Plants were given for food; they dont die in the animal sense.

The answers from Genesis tell us that there was no death, bloodshed, disease, or suffering before sin. All these things are a consequence of sin. Thats why Christians cant believe in millions of years for the fossil record its a horrible record of death, disease, and suffering, which couldnt have happened in the Garden before Adam fell.