Answers Research Journal 4 (2011):195–201. www.answersingenesis.org/contents/379/arj/v4/Ark_kinds_Flood_baraminology_cognitum.pdf Determining the Ark Kinds Jean K. Lightner, Independent Scholar, Mentor, OH Tom Hennigan, Associate Professor of Biology, Truett-McConnell College, 100 Alumni Drive, Cleveland, GA 30528 Georgia Purdom, Research Scientist, Answers in Genesis, P. O. Box 510, Hebron, KY 41048 Bodie Hodge, Answers in Genesis, P. O. Box 510, Hebron, KY 41048 Abstract As part of the Ark Encounter Project at Answers in Genesis, a research effort has been initiated to provide information necessary for the best possible reconstruction of the animal kinds preserved on the Ark. This initial paper outlines the basic rationale that will be used and the underlying justification for it. The biblical text provides strong evidence for each kind being a reproductive unit. Based on this and biological evidence that reproduction requires significant compatibility, hybridization will be considered the most valuable evidence for inclusion within an “Ark kind.” The cognitum and statistical baraminology are discussed as they are relevant to this venture. Where hybrid data is lacking, we have chosen to use a cognitum method. Using current taxonomic placement as a guide, pictures and/or personal experience with the animals will be used to find obvious groupings. If the grouping seems excessively high taxonomically, the family level may be used as the default level to avoid underestimating the number of kinds on the Ark. Results from statistical baraminology studies and other information will be used where appropriate. It is hoped the result will be a valuable resource for future studies in baraminology. Keywords: Ark, Flood, created kinds, baraminology, cognitum Introduction Nevertheless, there is information that can be used to Long before the Ark Encounter project was make educated guesses about these animals preserved announced by Answers in Genesis, it was realized on the Ark. While it is important to recognize that that a considerable amount of research would be these are informed guesses, and therefore not to necessary to allow for a high quality exhibit. How be accepted with the level of certainty of Scripture, many kinds were there on the Ark? What might they they can help us gain a general appreciation for what have looked like? How can we even begin to answer things may have been like on the Ark. these questions? This paper is the first in a series that will attempt to address these questions. Biblical Evidence At a time when the world was filled with violence, A comprehensive understanding of biology should God chose to destroy all land-dwelling, air-breathing necessarily include the origin of life. While the secular life on it by a global Flood (Genesis 7:21–23). Noah, a world ignores the Bible and speculates naturalistic righteous man, was instructed to build an Ark that origins for life, a Christian should recognize that would protect him, his family, and pairs of animals reliable eyewitnesses are invaluable for establishing and birds from this coming destruction (Genesis 6: historical facts (Numbers 35:30, Deuteronomy 17:6; 9–22). God told Noah: 19:15, Isaiah 8:2; 43:9–12; 44:6–8, Jeremiah 6: Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their 16–18, 32:12, Matthew 18:16, Acts 2:32, 2 Corinthians kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its 13:1, 1 Timothy 5:19). Clearly, in the first few chapters of kind, two of every kind1 will come to you to keep them Genesis, we have a historical account of the creation of alive. (Genesis 6:20) the world and life on it from the most reliable eyewitness, This designation of flying and terrestrial creatures God himself. So this is where we will begin. preserved on the Ark “after their kind” is repeated in During Creation Week God created plants (Day 3), Genesis 7:14 and is reminiscent of how these creatures sea creatures and flying creatures (Day 5), and land were created (Genesis 1:21, 24–25).2 Since the Bible animals (Day 6) each “according to its kind” (Genesis does not mention specifically how many kinds there 1:11–13, 20–25). This phrase is used of all animal life were, nor give us specific physical descriptions of except humans, who were created in the image of God them, any attempt to discern what they were will (Genesis 1:26, 27). So it is important to understand necessarily include a significant amount of conjecture. what is being conveyed. 1 Italicized words are not in the Hebrew, but are necessary for the sentence to make sense in English. 2 “after its kind” and “according to its kind” are two different ways to translate the same underlying Hebrew phrase, which appears in Genesis 1, 6, and 7. ISSN: 1937-9056 Copyright © 2011 Answers in Genesis. All rights reserved. Consent is given to unlimited copying, downloading, quoting from, and distribution of this article for non-commercial, non-sale purposes only, provided the following conditions are met: the author of the article is clearly identified; Answers in Genesis is acknowledged as the copyright owner; Answers Research Journal and its website, www.answersresearchjournal.org, are acknowledged as the publication source; and the integrity of the work is not compromised in any way. For more information write to: Answers in Genesis, PO Box 510, Hebron, KY 41048, Attn: Editor, Answers Research Journal. The views expressed are those of the writer(s) and not necessarily those of the Answers Research Journal Editor or of Answers in Genesis. 196 J. K. Lightner, T. Hennigan, G. Purdom, and B. Hodge ,(English Standard Version, New English Translation ,מין The underlying Hebrew word for kind here is clarifying things since the modern English word ,ברא) mîn. It, along with the Hebrew word for create bārā’), was used to coin the word baramin, a creationist “seed” has a narrower semantic range than the term for created kind. While the word baramin has Hebrew word. The New International Version, which strong taxonomic connotations to most creationists, is more of a dynamic equivalence translation, renders Hebrew scholars have warned against assuming that the encompassing phrase: “to keep their various is מין is a technical term (Turner 2009; Williams 1997). kinds alive throughout the earth.” Thus, where מין Both Williams (1997) and Turner (2009) suggest that used in the Creation or Flood accounts, it seems to be can be understood to refer to subdivisions within referring to distinct groups of animals and strongly מין a larger group much like the meaning of the English implying that reproduction occurs within these word kind. So caution needs to be exercised in this groups (Table 1). area. Plants are described as being created according to Methods for Ascertaining Baramins (zera’), implying they were (Created Kinds ,זרע) their kinds with seed to reproduce (Genesis 1:11–12). Aquatic and flying Hybridization creatures, after being created according to their kinds, Based on the concept that living things reproduce were blessed and told to reproduce to fill the earth according to their kinds, hybrids between different (Genesis 1:22). A similar blessing was pronounced species of animals has long been considered conclusive on humans (Genesis 1:28) along with a command evidence that both species belong to the same created for them to rule the earth. Since life was created kind (baramin). For example, crosses between dogs “according to their kinds” and told to reproduce, it is and wolves, wolves and coyotes, and coyotes and often assumed that life reproduces according to its jackals are interpreted to mean that all these species kind. While Scripture does not emphatically state of animals belong to a single baramin. that life reproduces only after its own kind, there is a Reproduction is a complex process and sometimes very strong inference given both the biblical text and barriers arise that make it more difficult. This can observations made in the world today. be seen in attempts to form hybrids between different The account of the Flood seems to reinforce this species. When cattle are crossed with bison, live understanding. God told Noah: hybrids are formed. However, the males are sterile. And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring The females can generally reproduce and can be two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with crossed with either parent species. For this reason, you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after cattle and bison are considered to belong to the same their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every baramin, but are not the same species because they creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every cannot consistently produce fertile offspring. Crosses kind will come to you to keep them alive. (Genesis between horses and donkeys produce a mule, which is 6:19–20). rarely fertile in either sex. Notice verse 19 mentions two of all living things, More serious barriers to reproduction can be apparent a male and a female, are to come on the Ark. The within a baramin. Sheep and goats were identified as obvious purpose is for reproduction (cf. Genesis 7:2, belonging to the same baramin because several live 3, and 9). This is adjacent to a verse mentioning the hybrids have been produced between them. However, preservation of animals according to their kinds, a live hybrid is not the most common result when again specifying two of each. A very similar situation these species mate with each other. In one study, when is found in the next chapter. rams were mated with does (female goats) fertilization they [Noah and family] and every beast after its kind, was fairly common, although not as high as matings all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that within the respective species.