Were Jesus or Moses Black? Are Dinosaurs in the Bible? Old Testament Faith and the Holy
Ghost.
by the Rev. Walter Snyder

Q: Were Jesus and Moses black? What role did black people have in the Bible?

A: As far as I know, both were probably medium- to dark-tan. Considering that  they were Semitic---
that is descended from Noah's son Shem and, as are modern Arabs and Jews, from Abraham---they
probably didn't look unlike many people now living in the Middle East. While there are some fairer
complexioned Jews and Palestinians, this isn't the norm.

If it makes any difference to anyone, Jesus may have had ancestors from lower Africa or elsewhere,
since some of those mentioned in his genealogy were not Hebrew. We don't know all of those
married into the family. As for others in the Bible, no one is specifically named as black, although the
Ethiopian met by Philip in Acts most likely was. Others may have been, as well.

Q: Are dinosaurs mentioned in the Bible?

A: Actually, very few animals are mentioned out of the thousands that exist or have existed. It may
be that Behemoth and Leviathan in Job were land and sea creatures that we moderns would term
dinosaurs. Indeed, it may be that what came into our mythology as dragons may be a distant
memory of creatures such as Leviathan.

Q: I understand that faith is not something that we come to on our own, but it is a gift of the
Holy Spirit---a gift given when we are converted, gift accompanying the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit. I have always thought that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of the "New"
Covenant promise put into effect through Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. Many
places in the New Testament name Old Testament persons of faith as examples for us (e.g.,
Hebrews 11). How did the Old Testament persons of faith come to their faith without the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit? Clarify for me Hebrews 11:39--40. What did the Old Testament
persons of faith not receive that we now receive, and in what sense are they now made perfect
with us?

A: Hebrews 11:39--40 sums up the account of the Old Testament faithful: "And all these, though
well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something
better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect." There are two ways of
understanding "apart from us." One is that the New Testament believers were necessary for the
perfection of the Old Testament saints. The other is that the writer is saying that they would not be
perfected apart from us; that is, we all receive the same benefits and blessings. This latter makes
more sense, both in context of the passage and of all Scripture. They did not receive the fulfillment
of the Messianic promises. The Christ was still to come. Perfection is only through Him. Now that
Jesus has come, all the saints receive the same fulfillment, for all receive eternal life in Christ. This will
be ultimately realized when Christ returns in judgment and brings all believers, Old and New
Testament, to eternal life.

As for the creation of faith being the work of the Holy Ghost, this was as true in BC as it was in AD.
God doesn't change His methods, although he may reveal more of His divine plan. Were it not for
the Spirit, no one would believe or come to Christ.

To Ask the Pastor, please write Ask the Pastor, PO Box 12, Emma, MO, 65327 or send email to
askthepastor@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book
"What Do Lutherans Believe."

Ask the Pastor is copyright (c) 2001 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced  in totality,
including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said
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