Faith Amidst Australia's Drought: Unveiling a Resilient Christian Community

Australia's Drought Exposes 'Drowned Town'

Australia is currently experiencing a severe drought, resulting in many major water storages reaching record lows. One such example is Lake Eucumbene in the Snowy Mountains, which is now below 20% capacity, the lowest it has ever been since its formation in 1958. This drought has led to the reemergence of the former settlement of Adaminaby, which was submerged when the lake was created. The receding waterline has exposed the old town, allowing locals to use its streets as a boat ramp to access the depleted lake.

The relocation of the former settlement of Adaminaby took place in the 1950s when the government decided to dam the valley as part of a hydro-electricity scheme. Over 100 buildings were moved to a new location about nine kilometers away, with some houses being transported on trucks and others being dismantled stone-by-stone and rebuilt. Approximately one-third of the former residents chose to live in the new town, while others moved elsewhere.

The sight of the remnants of old Adaminaby has stirred painful memories for former residents. Rusted batteries, shards of pottery, bottles, and other artifacts from everyday life are now drying in the sunlight after being exposed for the first time in nearly fifty years. The foundations of old houses can be seen covered by a layer of muddy silt, and blackened tree skeletons reach skyward as mute reminders of a once thriving regional hub.

In stark contrast to the tranquil reemergence of old Adaminaby, the biblical account of Noah's Flood presents a vastly different scenario. The Genesis Flood, described in Genesis 6-9, was a catastrophic event that reshaped the Earth's topography. While former Adaminaby residents could still recognize familiar landmarks as the water receded, there is no indication that Noah encountered any such reminders of his pre-Flood world.

Noah's experience was radically different from that of Adaminaby residents. Firstly, Noah and his family were not land-based observers of the Flood but were on board the Ark, floating on water that covered the highest mountains. The Ark could have drifted anywhere around the entire planet due to strong currents and winds. Therefore, when Noah disembarked from the Ark, he was likely in a location he had never been before.

Secondly, the Genesis Flood was not a gentle inundation like that of Adaminaby but a catastrophic event with rushing waters. The Floodwaters came from both the breaking open of the "fountains of the great deep" and continuous rain for forty days and forty nights. This volume of water completely covered the entire planet, submerging even the highest mountains for 150 days.

The violence of the Genesis Flood resulted in the perishing of every land animal and bird outside the Ark. Fossils found in sedimentary rock worldwide provide evidence of this catastrophic event. These creatures had to be buried quickly to be fossilized, and we find layer upon layer of sediment laid down rapidly.

The absence of artifacts from pre-Flood civilizations can be attributed to the dramatic reshaping of the Earth's topography during Noah's time on the Ark. While remnants of old Adaminaby are visible after nearly fifty years, artifacts from pre-Flood civilization have yet to be found because they may have been washed away or buried under layers of sediment eroded from elsewhere.

Why This Matters

Understanding the differences between the reemergence of old Adaminaby and Noah's experience during the Genesis Flood helps us appreciate the magnitude and global nature of Noah's ordeal. It also highlights the catastrophic nature of the Flood compared to local flooding events. Recognizing these distinctions is crucial for properly interpreting biblical accounts and their scientific implications.

Think About It

Consider how different our understanding of history and geology would be if the Genesis Flood had been a local event rather than a global catastrophe. The evidence of a worldwide Flood supports the biblical account and provides insights into Earth's geological features.