Divine Protection: 5 Biblical Ways to Safeguard Your Faith During Local Floods

Faltering on the Flood

Evading the Bible’s clear meaning is disastrous

Does it matter whether Christians believe that Noah's Flood encompassed the entire globe? Some argue that it doesn't, but understanding the true nature of the Flood is vital for interpreting Scripture correctly. The secular world pressures Christians to deny the catastrophic judgment of a global Flood and instead interpret the evidence of rock layers and fossils as having formed over millions of years. However, the Bible clearly teaches that the Flood was global, and this serves as a touchstone for our faithfulness in handling God's Word.

Avoiding the obvious

Some claim that there is nothing in the language of the biblical passages about Noah's Flood that requires it to be global. They argue for a localized Flood based on certain verses, such as Genesis 8:9, where Noah's dove returned because "the waters were still on the face of the whole earth". They point out that earlier in verse 5, it is mentioned that "the tops of the mountains were seen" after some dry land had already appeared. From this, they reason that if there was still water on the face of the whole earth, then "the whole earth" cannot refer to the entire globe.

However, this argument is flawed. Even if there were some peaks poking up here and there, it would still be accurate to say that the globe as a whole was covered in water. The words used in these verses are consistent with a global Flood when considering the wider context.

Clarity of the text

When examining the biblical narrative of Noah's Flood, several aspects make it clear that the Flood was indeed global:

1. The narrative emphasizes universal language, using terms like "all" and "every". This highlights the universal nature of the Flood.
2. The Flood killed all but eight people. How could a local Flood accomplish such devastation? Those who advocate for a local Flood generally accept the old-earth dating system, which places human bones around the world long before the biblical date for the Flood.
3. A local Flood would not achieve God's purpose of destroying all the land animals in addition to all the people on earth.
4. For "all the high mountains" to be covered by 15 cubits, the Flood must be global. A local Flood would not cover high mountains.
5. If the Flood was geographically restricted, God could have simply instructed Noah to move to another location instead of building a massive Ark.
6. God promised never to send another such Flood to cleanse the earth, yet there have been many local floods since.
7. Peter contrasts the pre-Flood "world that then existed", which "was deluged with water and perished," with "the heavens and earth that now exist", which "are stored up for fire". Since the latter is universal, the former must be as well.

Is the scope of the Flood a central issue?

The importance of understanding the true scope of Noah's Flood comes down to whether we believe that the Bible means what it says. Unfortunately, some Christians fail to engage with the biblical text and compromise on Genesis. By doing so, they disregard the final authority of Scripture in these matters.

It is worth noting that the local flood view only gained popularity in the church once the concept of millions of years was introduced around 200 years ago. This suggests that these ideas are being imposed on Scripture, even though they do not align with its teachings. This violates Sola Scriptura, which emphasizes Scripture as the ultimate authority. Christians need to prioritize treating the text as it is written.

When Christians hesitate to accept the clear meaning of Scripture, non-Christians are unimpressed. Thomas Huxley once remarked that even a child can see the folly of suggesting a localized Flood. We take no joy in pointing out such folly, but we rejoice when fellow believers embrace the truth of a global Flood as supported by both Scripture and scientific evidence.

Why This Matters

Understanding the true nature of Noah's Flood is crucial for interpreting Scripture correctly. The global Flood is not just a side issue; it is foundational to our understanding of God's judgment, salvation, and promises. When we compromise on this topic, we undermine the authority of God's Word and open the door to further compromise in other areas.

Think About It

1. How does accepting the global Flood account impact our understanding of God's character and His judgment on sin?
2. What does it mean for our faith when we compromise on the clear teachings of Scripture?
3. How can embracing a global Flood strengthen our confidence in the reliability of God's Word?