One of the more widely used terms that this writer often encounters is “hunter-gatherers.” It is a name that applies to the sociologic evolution of mankind. A long way back—even millions of years ago apparently—homo sapiens lived like animals. Originally, they did not plant gardens or store food. Rather, in their loincloths, they ate what they found and holed up in caves. They were unreasoning but, nevertheless, somehow advanced up the evolutionary ladder to reach the modern, sophisticated state of humanhood and its societies today.
But, please wait. None of the statements made in the previous paragraphs are actually based on proven facts. They are mostly conjecture … fanciful thinking. Yet, the phrase “hunter-gatherer” is encountered virtually everywhere and is widely accepted as fact. It is a popular view that is assumed to be true and rarely debated.
The ideas of sociologic evolution, to no surprise, are based on the same lies as evolutionary theory today. None of its major assumptions have been proven; often, in fact, they are actually scientifically disproven. This very same phenomenon applies to the field of anthropology—again, lots of fanciful theories but no complete proofs. Most scholars in these evolution-related fields of study tilt at windmills, striving to ignore and/or disprove Creation and the existence of God.
Consider this typical “stock” explanation of “hunter-gatherer” on the website of the widely watched History Channel:
“Hunter-gatherers were prehistoric nomadic groups that harnessed the use of fire, developed intricate knowledge of plant life, and refined technology for hunting and domestic purposes as they spread from Africa to Asia, Europe and beyond. From African hominins of 2 million years ago to modern-day Homo sapiens, the evolution of humans can be traced through what the hunter-gatherers left behind—tools and settlements that teach us about the hunter-gatherer diet and way of life of early humans.”
And here is an expansive quote about hunter-gatherers from Wikipedia:
“Hunting and gathering was humanity’s original and most enduring successful adaptation in the natural world, occupying at least 90 percent of human history.”
These statements are presented with authority and deemed certain. Yet again, all of these perspectives are not proven facts. Far from it. As the case may be, modern evolutionary theory claims to be scientific, we are told, but in reality, it is mostly myth.
Why is this important? It is key to note that these anthropological statements connect to “Social Evolutionism,” this being the accepted narrative of a ladder of stages progressing from “savagery” through “barbarism” to modern civilization.
Refreshing Perspectives
Given the gross miscarriage of facts and truths in the current field of Evolutionary Sociology, we were elated to read an important new work in this area. We refer here to The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity (David Graeber & David Wengrow).
The book’s two authors—one a highly respected Assyriologist (David Graeber), the other a high-profile archaeologist/anthropologist (David Wengrow)—make some bold but refreshing statements. They argue that the classic model of human pre-history (i.e., the notion of the progression of “hunter-gatherers,” etc.), which has been widely accepted for over a century, isn’t supported by new archaeological and anthropological evidence.
At the outset, the book The Dawn of Everything appears to offer some bridges between evolutionist anthropologists and young-earth Creationists. If that were true, it would be exciting indeed. We do enjoy reading research proposed by secular scholars that moves their goalposts closer to Biblical positions. To be sure, the authors had no objective to defend Biblical perspectives. However, as it turns out, the authors nonetheless make some revealing acknowledgments and admissions.
For example, they argue that one can peer only so far back into history by uncovering beads and cranial fragments. There is not much narrative that one can extract from a single tooth found in an archaeological dig. Realistically, just how much will be learned about previous societies from such miniscule and incomplete remnants? Not much, say the authors. Yet, elaborate theories are spun to fill in the gaps of what is not known. To no surprise, of course, these imaginations comply with ‘a priori’ evolutionary perspectives.
The views of Wengrow and Graeber are refreshing, as already said. The timelines that these researchers found workable were between 10,000 and 25,000 years ago. Of course, as was noted, no effort was made to endorse the Biblical view of a 6,000-year-old earth. That was not their goal, especially so, given that they are atheists.
However, shocking to the anthropological community of researchers, the authors conclude that ancient civilizations were comprised of humans with the same sophistication and intelligence as exists today. There has not been any “sociological” evolutionary process at work … at least not within the last 25,000 years. And, before that time, there is no evidence found to support any view at all in their view. As already said, “shocking.”
To give credit where due, it is mentioned that Claude Levi-Strauss, a well-known anthropologist of the mid-twentieth century, was one of the very few to take seriously the idea that early humans were our intellectual equals today.
To conclude, not only were the timelines adopted by the authors much shorter than what is the general consensus among pro-evolutionary researchers, but also, they concluded that “ancient man” (who purportedly lived as much as millions of years before) was much more sophisticated than is believed. They were not cavemen nor unreasoning beasts … nor were all societies solely comprised of the “hunter-gatherers” referenced earlier. No doubt, there did exist some hunter-gatherers… as continues to this day! However, one would not, therefore, conclude that the entire world lives this way today. Likewise, this would have been the case thousands of years ago.
Interesting Olive Tree Marker
When did agricultural-based societies occur on earth—thousands of years ago, or perhaps millions? Consider a recent discovery that leads to the conclusion that olive trees were first domesticated in the Jordan Valley 7,000 years ago. Since olive trees did not naturally grow there, the researchers reasoned that they must have been planted by humans. The leader of the study, Dr. Dafna Langgut, stated that this is the earliest evidence of the olive’s domestication anywhere in the world (Science Daily, June 16, 2022).
This discovery raises some inconvenient facts for evolutionary anthropologists, as they have trapped themselves with the ‘a priori’ view that “hunter-gatherers” lived a long time ago … even millions of years ago. Directly contrary to this, there now is evidence that domestication did not take place any earlier. This archaeological finding greatly shortens the historical timeline … surreptitiously closing in on the time span of the “Young Earth” view.
When Atheists Support the Biblical View
As already observed, most archaeologists, anthropologists, Assyriologists, and a host of other specialists must resort to fantasy when seeking support for their long-dated theories.
Why? One must note that these professionals are essentially mostly atheists. They deny metaphysical perspectives … most certainly Creationism. Therefore, they have open to them only atheism or agnosticism to support their worldview. Most certainly, they will be inclined to adapt their views to fit their evolutionary model (which is also unproven). Aligning these atheistic perspectives, it is assumed that social prehistory must, therefore, also fit into the evolutionary models.
It is remarkable the “faith” that these scholars exhibit in holding on to their faulty “existential” views. Sadly, most declared Christians who do have access to the Truth of the Bible do not have faith in their Scriptures.
Letting the Bible Speak
As already disclosed, it is always enjoyable to observe secular scholars inadvertently disproving unbiblical theories (e.g., evolution) that may have prevailed as “truth” for quite some time. For example, a recent scientific study thoroughly disproved the evolutionary theory that random genetic mutations provide novel code for genetic advances and natural selection. In layman’s terms, this says that accidental (or random) genetic mutations do not benefit genetic advances.
Mutations cannot … and do not … lead to creation of beneficial new genetic information. These findings may not change anyone’s mind about the veracity of Creation. Nevertheless, the scientist conducting this study at least allowed science to speak factually and literally.
Thoughts to Ponder
Reading The Dawn of Everything, we were struck by the preponderance of references to Jewish scholars. Jews, of course, have more often than not proven to be great and gifted scholars.
However, please ponder this: Why is it that the very recipients of the Scriptures—the Jews—are so often at the forefront of any agnostic theory or God-denying philosophy? At least one of the authors of The Dawn of Everything is Jewish—Graeber. (We were not able to confirm Mr. Wengrow’s ancestry.)
However, crucially, the writings of the two authors certainly imply that they are atheists. As mentioned in their book, the authors also reference a large number of researchers and scholars who are Jewish and endorse atheism.
One would think it natural that those who identify as Jewish would not be atheistic. This would seem a contradiction in terms—an oxymoron. Apparently not. By some estimates, more than 50% of identifying Jews are atheists. They do not believe that there is a God. Their “Jewishness” may be defined ethnically or culturally … but not as an adherent of Yahweh.
We appreciate good scholarship. However, no matter how highly regarded, if one does not have a fear of God and does not believe that He exists, one is a fool. So the Bible says … no matter that one might be an academic of great renown. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God'” (Psalm 14:1a).
Says Paul, “[ …] The people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen” (Romans 9:4-5).
What prophetic significance should be drawn from this incredible situation with today’s Jews? Could it really be possible that 50% or more of all declared Jews are atheists? Several surveys yield similar results.
Satan is certainly rapidly advancing his strategy to annihilate the Jews and prevent the return of Jesus Christ—the Messiah.
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Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.
Contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com