This is reprinted from the August 1983 edition of the Christian Courier, published by the East Main Street Church of Christ in Stockton, California. Wayne Jackson was both the author of the piece and the editor of the paper.
One of the most epochal events of human history was the great flood of Noah's day as recorded in Genesis 6-8. This monumental act of divine judgment upon the ancient world may be studied advantageously from several different viewpoints. Consider the following.
The Flood and Archaeology - Critics of the Bible have scoffed at the Genesis record of the flood, claiming that it is mere folklore, a vestige of ancient mythology. A non-biased consideration of the evidence though, demands that the flood narrative be viewed as real history and not legend. Dr. Howard Vos has noted that, "on all continents and among almost all peoples of the earth flood accounts have been found. These accounts all refer to a destructive flood occurring early in the respective tribal histories. In each case one or a few individuals were saved and were charged with repopulating the earth. To date, anthropologists have collected between 250 and 300 such flood stories" (Genesis and Archaeology, Moody, 1963, p. 32).
One of the most interesting of these records is the Gilgamesh Epic from the library of the Babylonian king, Ashurbanipal (669-626 B.C.). Though unlike the Biblical account in many respects (it is both polytheistic and pantheistic for instance), nevertheless there are some remarkable similarities between the Epic and the Bible which obviously are more than mere coincidence. For example: (a) Both records suggest that a great flood was divinely sent as a punishment for moral defection. (b) Both accounts speak of a hero who was divinely instructed to build a boat in which a limited number of people and animals were to be preserved. (c) Both narratives tell of the physical causes and duration of the flood, as well as its landing place. (d) Both records mention the sending out of birds to gauge the subsiding waters. (e) Both accounts state that after the inmates disembarked the boat, sacrifices were offered and assurance was given that a similar catastrophe would not again be visited upon mankind. The Genesis version of course, is the inspired, accurate account.
The Flood and Geology - The sedimentary (water-laid) strata of the earth's crust contain a wide variety of fossils (preserved remains or impressions of plants and animals in rock). As a general rule, though many exceptions exist, fossils found in the lower strata are simpler while those at higher levels are more complex. Evolutionists will contend that the earth's sedimentary layers were deposited slowly throughout many millions of years. They lustily argue that the fossil sequence is "proof" that all living creatures have evolved from a common source.
The evolutionary theory however, which we reject for numerous Biblical and scientific reasons, fails to to take into account the role of the flood in fossil deposition. The general ascending fossil order from the simple to the complex can be explained as easily in terms of a universal deluge as upon evolutionary suppositions. Note: (a) There is a tendency for organisms to live in certain ecological zones. So, living together, they would die together and thus have a tendency to be buried near one another. For example, sea creatures would normally be buried together and deeper than other animals. (b) The hydrodynamic selectivity of water forces also partially explain fossil groupings. For instance, organisms that are dense and more streamlined like certain shellfish, would sink faster and hence, be buried deeper than many other creatures. (c) Some creatures are more mobile than others. They have greater movement versatility and speed than other animals. Accordingly, they would have had greater ability in escaping the gradually rising flood waters longer and so would have been buried at higher levels. Our point is this, when viewed in light of the great flood, the fossil record is no longer restricted to an evolutionary interpretation.
The Flood and Theodicy - The term "theodicy" (from theos, God and justice) is a theological expression denoting that area of study devoted to justifying Jehovah's activity in the world, particularly that activity which entails human suffering. We know from everyday experiences that much of our anguish is obviously the result of our own evil (cf. I Peter 4:15). Too, we are aware of the fact that we are suffering (in disease and death) the consequences of humanity's original rebellion (see Romans 5:12; 8:20ff). But how does one explain the suffering in connection with such phenomena s hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.? Are not these purely "acts of God" (as our insurance policies suggest)? Is not man completely free from the implication of responsibility in connection with such events? Perhaps not! We must ask the question, what produces the violent features of this planet? The answer is, the drastically different geo-physical features of the earth (mountain ranges, deserts, varying pressure areas, etc.). But what created these divergent conditions which precipitate the disasters to which we fall victim? Many scholars believe that the universal flood left behind these conditions which facilitate the occurrence of storms, earthquakes and the like. Now here is a vital point; had it not been for man's evil, the flood would never have come and the earth's features would not have been so altered; and man would not be suffering the results thereof! Shall we blame God for man's past mistakes?
The Flood and Salvation - One of the exciting areas of Bible study (and one often abused) is that of typology. A "type" is sort of an Old Testament hint or preview, that finds its ultimate fulfillment in New Testament revelation. For example, the Old Testament passover lamb was a symbolic picture of Christ and His sacrificial death (cf. John 1:29; I Corinthians 5:7). Now in I Peter 3:20-21, our present salvation through baptism is said to be the "like figure" of Noah's salvation. And Noah and his family were said to be, "saved through water" (vs. 20). In what sense was the patriarch saved through water? Actually, the emphasis of this passage is not Noah's salvation from the destruction of the flood, for it was by means of the ark that he was delivered from that (cf. Hebrews 11:7). Rather, by means of "water" he was conveyed from the antediluvian world of sin and corruption into a new, cleansed environment. And this typifies our salvation by means of gospel obedience, culminated at the point of baptism. Through immersion, which has been preceded by faith and repentance, we leave the kingdom of darkness and we are born into the kingdom of Jesus Christ (cf. John 3:5; Colossians 1:13). In view of I Peter 3:21 and related passages (cf. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27) how can anyone reasonably deny the connection between water and forgiveness of sins? The flood of Noah's day teaches a valuable lesson here.
The Flood and the End of the World - There are several vital connecting truths between the destruction of the ancient antediluvian world and the final destruction of the material universe. First, just as the Lord warned Noah's generation that He would not tolerate their impenitent evil ways (Genesis 6:3), even so He has warned all subsequent generations of the final judgment to come (Ecclesiastes 12:14; II Corinthians 5:10). Second, the same powerful word that caused the ancient world to perish by an overflowing of water, has reserved the (material) heavens and earth for a destruction by fire at the day of judgment (II Peter 3:5-7). Third, just as the people of Noah's time ignored his righteous preaching (cf. II Peter 2:5) and so went about their daily affairs with reckless abandon, hence the flood took them all by complete surprise (Luke 17:27). So, in like manner many will be caught unawares by the sudden return of Christ (Matthew 24:39; Luke 17:30). Further, they will be totally unprepared for the bridegroom's arrival and so will be shut out from the fellowship with Him (cf. Matthew 25:1-13). Again, can we learn some lessons from the flood?!
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