Talking Neanderthals?

Neanderthals are typically described as “An extinct variety of human that lived... about 30,000 years ago. Neanderthals had a stocky build and large skulls with thick eyebrow ridges and big teeth. They usually lived in caves, made flaked stone tools, and were the earliest humans known to bury their dead. Neanderthals were either a subspecies of modern humans (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis) or a separate, closely related species (Homo neanderthalensis). They coexisted with early modern humans (Cro-Magnons) for several thousand years before becoming extinct.”

Internet headlines reported that due to some recent genetic findings, some scientists are open to the possibility that Neanderthals could speak just like we do, instead of communicating merely by groans and grunts (our tax dollars hard at work!). For the article, click here.

Consider a few elementary observations from this “newsflash”

1. Even by the above definition, “Neanderthals” are still human. They may have had some unique physical characteristics (which can be explained in a variety of ways having nothing to do with evolution), but a “variety” of human is still a human. That provides no help to those who believe in evolution. Whether or not Adam had stocky or slim build, a large or small skull, thick or thin eyebrow ridges, big or little teeth—he was still a man and not a beast of the field or creeping thing (Gen. 1:24-27).

2. According to the above definition, Neanderthals are defined as people who, among other things, lived in caves. What does that prove? Does that prove that they did not have the knowledge to build a house? Of course not.  In Genesis 19:30 Lot and his two daughters live in a cave after fleeing from the destruction of Sodom. In 1 Kings 18:13, fifty prophets were hid in a cave to escape persecution. There may be a variety of reasons why a cave may be chosen as a place to live. This proves nothing concerning evolution.

3. Another characteristic that is used to define a Neanderthal is that they made stone tools. First Samuel 13:19-20 says that “there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel,” so they went to the Philistines to sharpen their tools. Does that mean that the Israelites were another “variety” of humans? It merely illustrates that different nations have different technical skills, some more advanced than others. So, even if the so-called “Neanderthals” were less advanced than other groups of humans—in the end, they were still human.

4. Thus, it is nothing newsworthy to find that a group of people who lived long ago were able to communicate through words. In fact, that has been true from man's beginning. Mankind's ability to communicate through words did not evolve over thousands of years. He was created with the ability to speak and understand words. From the beginning, God and man spoke through words—not mere grunts or groans (Gen. 2:16, 23). Beyond merely speaking, Adam was highly intelligent, able to give names to every beast of the field and bird of the air which God had created (Gen. 2:19). This required much more than grunts, groans, or even an elementary vocabulary. In fact, man's first recorded words show Adam speaking in some poetic form (Gen. 2:23, notice in your Bible how these words of Adam are offset like other occasions of poetry).

The characteristics by which men have defined a “Neanderthal” are not very unique, thus calling the need for a separate classification into question, particularly if it is used to uphold the idea of evolution.

“For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1 Cor. 1:19-20).  The Bible makes those who revel in their “discoveries” look foolish.  If men would examine the Bible with the intensity with which they study bones and human DNA, they would find many of the answers for which they search while spending millions upon millions of dollars. But more important than searching for the words of men of the past are the words which we speak daily and the words which Christ has spoken. By these words, our soul will be judged and our eternal home determined (Mt. 12:37; Jn. 12:48).

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven.
- Ecclesiastes 3:1

We Have A Right
By Daniel H. King, Sr. and Mike Willis