Did Noah and the Flood Really Happen? - Genesis 6-9

Genesis 6-9

Copyright January 27, 2019 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche

I confess for a long time, I did give any thought to whether or not the Flood actually happened. I believed these things were historical because I believe in the trustworthiness of the Word of God. Like you, I heard stories of the Flood being a myth, being merely a local flood, and stories that people thought they found the petrified Ark buried deep in ice on an inaccessible mountain. I was confused and instead of investigating I just put it out of my mind as something that “really wasn’t that important.

It was only after a trip to the Creation Museum, and a lecture we heard by founder Ken Ham, that I became intrigued. Dr. Ham talked about the scientific evidence for creation and the Flood. It was then that I started to wonder if many people who talk so confidently about the Flood not taking place were really experts or just parroting what someone else said. I learned when the evidence is examined, the case is strong for a worldwide flood. I am going to give you an overview of that evidence today. Hold on, we are going to cover a great deal of material.

Why Does it Matter?

It may seem like this is a matter of little importance but it is more significant than you may think. Listen to some verses from other parts of the Bible.

In Isaiah 54:9. “Just as I swore in the time of Noah that I would never again let a flood cover the earth, so now I swear that I will never again be angry and punish you.

Ezekiel 14:14 Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 14:20 surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved by their righteousness.

Matthew 24:37-38“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat.

Hebrews 11:7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

1 Peter 3:20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.

2 Peter 2:5 And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood.

Here is what I hope you see: The rest of the Bible refers to Noah and the Ark as history, not fantasy. If Noah and the Ark is not history, then these other accounts are wrong! And if they are wrong here, how do we know they are trustworthy on the other things of which they speak? The historical truthfulness of the story MATTERS.

Let me remind you, science is not simply about evidence, it is about the way we interpret the evidence. In other words, we are all looking at the same evidence and reaching different conclusions regarding that evidence. The popular view in education is the world was formed through purely natural and physical processes. There is no consideration of a Divine presence (God) at all. According to the natural means, for all this to happen accidentally, would require millions of years. Therefore, all the theories of origin are views from that perspective.

The other view (using the SAME evidence) views creation from the perspective of a Designer. This leads us to draw vastly different conclusions. It is the difference between constructing history (billions of years) and being given history (a Creator). It is the difference between a random creation and purposeful creation.

This is also true for the various dating methods of rocks. Various methods will look at the same rock sample and differ in conclusions by millions and in some cases billions of years. The conclusion: these methods are highly subjective.

Let me illustrate this subjective bias. Let's say you went to Skamania County, Washington in the Pacific Northwest and you noticed the incredible rock formations. You, as a young geologist, examine the rocks and determine they have been there for millions of years based on many factors. You go in to the local restaurant and you share your findings which prove the earth is millions of years old. Your waitress, listening to you, then says, "Sir, those rock formations were not there when I was a child, much less billions of years ago!" She then explains the landscape completely changed in 1980 when Mt. St. Helens erupted.

Most of us have been taught the naturalistic view of creation and the flood. This morning we are going to look at the evidence for the alternative view.

The Bible's Testimony (what it actually says about the nature of the flood)

It is always a good idea to look at the Bible and find out what it REALLY says. There been many who have said the Bible says things that it never really said. What does the Bible tell us about the Flood?

“Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. (6:17)

Seven days from now I will make the rains pour down on the earth. And it will rain for forty days and forty nights, until I have wiped from the earth all the living things I have created.”(7:4)

After seven days, the waters of the flood came and covered the earth.

11When Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the underground waters erupted from the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torrents from the sky. 12The rain continued to fall for forty days and forty nights. (7:10-12)

Finally, the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth, 20rising more than twenty-two feet above the highest peaks. 21All the living things on earth died—birds, domestic animals, wild animals, small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people. 22Everything that breathed and lived on dry land died. 23God wiped out every living thing on the earth—people, livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and the birds of the sky. All were destroyed. The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat. (7:19-23)

What do we learn from these verses?

the flood was worldwide in nature.

there was some kind of eruption in the "underground waters" (were these earthquakes that resulted in tsunami level waves over and over again?) This may have also resulted in molten rock (like a volcanic eruption which may have effectively, for a period, raised the floor of the sea . . . effectively flooding the earth also.

The waters covered the highest mountain

Nothing (apart from the animals and people on the Ark) survived the flood.

The flood was God's judgment on a fallen world.

This is what the Bible claims!

Many people scoff at the notion of enough water to cover the highest mountain. However, a flood of such great magnitude would have greatly altered the terrain of the earth. The rushing waters would have created canyons and mountains that did not previously exist. For example, geologists who accept the supernatural possibility of a worldwide flood believe the Grand Canyon was a RESULT of the flood and did not exist before the flood. Obviously there would have been more water than we can conceive.

Evidence for a Worldwide Flood

I am going to give you some things that serve as arguments for the truthfulness of the Biblical account. Nothing can prove or disprove the flood conclusively (unless they actually do unearth Noah's Ark). These, however, are observations that most of us have never heard of because of the anti-creation bias of our world.

The first argument for the historical nature of the flood is something often used to ridicule the flood: great flood is recorded in traditions of practically every nation in existence today. Rick mentioned this last week. There are over 200 different flood accounts in various peoples and countries all around the globe. Though the accounts do not all agree, it does not mean the account is untrue. The question to ask is: Why are there all these flood stories? The most reasonable answer: there actually was a worldwide flood!

Second, sedimentary rock. There is a sedimentary graveyard averaging a mile deep all over the world. In other words, there is evidence of various layers that you see on rocks. Many say this took place over millions and millions of years. It is just as likely that it happened during one cataclysmic event. Many geologists who look at the Grand Canyon would suggest the layers of sediment (or strata) were formed by a massive flood! All of these layers contain lots and lots of fossils. As you look at the lines of strata, they are primarily straight, which means there was no time for erosion between the layers. Geologists point out that this kind of layering exists throughout the earth. It happened quickly over the entire earth!

The other anomaly in these rocks is what is called "folding" (rocks that seem to bend) these bends must take place with the rock is still soft and sediment. These things are seen all over the world as are many of the stratas that are seen around the world.

Third, marine fossils are found on the crests of mountains. Mt. Everest, and the tops of all other mountains, contain fossils of marine life and other water creatures. How did they get there apart from those mountains being covered, at one time, with water?

Fourth, the fossils themselves. In order to form a fossil, you need sudden death, sudden and instant burial (or the carcass would be eaten by wild animals, decay from oxygen, become brittle, and disappear in the wind). As the waters rose slow moving creatures that could not swim would be buried first. We see graveyards of marine and land-dwelling creatures together. There are burial sites like this all over the world! This is what is found in the strata. Fossils were likely formed because of a worldwide catastrophic flood. There is lot of geological evidence that goes way over my head.

Fifth the sudden extinction of dinosaurs and other animal species. One evolutionary theory believes the dinosaurs were all killed as a result of a worldwide catastrophic event. (Interesting, we believe the same thing). They, however, hypothesize a giant meteor crashed into earth, causing dramatic change in weather or a cloud of ash which killed the dinosaurs - leading to their extinction. We would point to a Great Flood which quickly wiped out the dinosaurs. The dinosaur “graveyards” as some call them may have been caused by these majestic animals trying to flee the oncoming waters.

Sixth, Coal Beds and Oil Deposits are consistent with the burial of living organisms in the Fllod under great pressure making the conversion process much more quickly than science posits.

These are a few of the scientific and rational arguments for the historical reality of a worldwide flood. The more I dig, the more fascinated I am and the more excited I am about the reliability of God's Word. The Biblical accounts helps us understand how mountain ranges were formed, how thousands of mammoths were suddenly frozen with subtropical foliage still unchewed in their mouths and undigested in their stomachs (meaning it happened very quickly). It explains the fossil graveyards, the extinction of dinosaurs, continental drift (the fact that scientists believe the various land masses were all one continent a long time ago called "Pangea." The flood and the earthquakes deep in the sea could have caused this to happen long before the time scientists suggest.) For more information, search for "Pangea and Noah's Flood" on the Internet . . . there is enough information for the biggest science geek!) These are just a few of the things that are consistent with a worldwide flood.

Conclusions

I've given you lots and lots of information today. But I have only scratched the surface. Perhaps you are like me and thought the story of the flood had to be taken purely by faith. The idea of there being evidence was something I never really considered. I find these preliminary observations to be exciting and stimulating to my faith and I hope yours.

So, let's get practical and draw some conclusions from all of this examination of whether the worldwide flood and Noah's Ark is a belief of shallow minds or whether it is a plausible historical reality.

First, I hope we have demonstrated Biblical History is not at odds with the evidence or with science. Interpreting evidence differently does not mean it is contrary to science or unscientifc. However, that speaks to our starting point (our prejudice, if you will) rather than the evidence itself. There is no need for you, as a believer to accept the notion that you are "less intelligent" because you believe the Word of God. Do not be intimidated by those who claim “science confirms the atheist belief.” It does not! At the same time these arguments do not PROVE there was a worldwide flood. We are all looking at the exact same evidence. We must evaluate the evidence and make the best decision possible.

Second, we see the Word of God is the accurate history of God's activity with mankind rather than a conglomeration of nice moral stories. In other words, it is history and not fiction. You don't have to wonder what parts of the Bible are true and what are false. You can rely on the Word of God as true and accurate in all that it affirms. And you can do so based on a reasonable interpretation of the FACTS and not wishful thinking.

Why do we take the time to look at these things? We do so because we want you to trust God without any sense of tentativeness. We want young people to know the things they hear in the classroom is not the only conclusion you can reach from the evidence. We want to encourage you to trust the Bible from start to finish and use it to lead and guide your life. In short, we do this so we can become deep and firmly anchored followers of Jesus.

I encourage you to do further research on these things. Listen to the arguments of the scientists who believe the Bible instead of only those who belittle the Word of God. But even if you don't want to do more research, follow boldly.

Since the Bible is trustworthy on these things, we can believe it also speaks truthfully about the grace that is ours through Christ. This is really the crux of the issue. The Bible is not a bunch of stories about mythological gods interacting with human beings. It is the true story of the God who created all things and how He labored to make Himself known and how He loves His creation. When you can trust the account of Noah and his Ark it becomes much easier to believe the testimony that Christ came to give his life as a ransom for many. It is also easier to believe the Lord will come again to take us to be with the Lord. Believing God will judge and purify His creation with fire is easier to believe when we know that He has already judged the earth once with a flood.

Do you have to believe in the account of Noah and the worldwide flood before you can become a Christian? No. We are made right with God by believing and trusting Christ. We can disagree on this issue and still be brothers in Christ. However, there are many, I am afraid, who have turned away from the message of God's grace and love because they have concluded the Bible is just a bunch of nonsense. There will be Christians and non-Christians who ridicule us as radical because we dare to suggest the Bible is telling us the truth. Be prepared.

Finally, we see a picture of how God amazingly brings beauty out of ashes (or mud, in this case). Just think, those who believe the Bible see some of the greatest beauty in the world in places like the Grand Canyon and the Great mountain ranges of the world, are likely results of the Flood. Even this act of Judgment (and grace in regard to Noah) was used by God to bring breath-taking beauty that points to the artistry of our Creator. If this is the result of sin, I can't even begin to imagine how staggering the new Heavens and new Earth will be.

You may be experiencing an overwhelming flood of circumstances in your life. You may feel you are drowning. You may say, "Who cares about Noah when my life is being shattered into pieces. But here is the promise: if we will trust Him, He will bring beauty from the broken pieces of our lives. The storm will not last forever and with the sunshine comes new life. If you hang on to Him and follow Him (as Noah did) you will find new life, new beauty, and even, as impossible as it seems right now, a deeper joy than you experienced before.

The message of the Ark, the message of the cross, the Law of God, and all the other things found in the Bible are there for one purpose: to bring us to Him. Whatever, the circumstances of our life right now, learn from Noah. Hang on, keep doing what is right, and keep your eyes open for the delightful surprises that we may find right after the rain.