Bible verses: Genesis 6:11-9:17; Ezeekiel 16:49;1 Thessalonians 5:20
Notes:
What was life like before the flood?
What was life like on the ark during the flood?
What was life like after the flood?
As we ‘rummaged, we considered;
Gains
A Faithful example through Noah
Paradigm Shift
Local Flood – local indicators (pg. 120 of BCS)
Relationship to eschatoplogy (pg. 151 – 168 of BCS)
A picture of judgment/coming the Lord
(Sodom & Gomorrah)
Not universalist, coventant focus
Also, in light of the judgement that came upon Sodom & Gomorrah
the need to welcome the stranger and be kind
The common ‘global’ reading of the ‘flood account’ is based on 3 words and phrases that do indeed appear to demonstrate a ‘global flood’ at first flance. However, consider the following:
1.) The Hebrew word ‘eretz’ is translated ‘earth’ in most English translations, however the term simply means ‘land’ and refers to a specific stretch of land in a local, geographical, or political sense. Look at its use in Genesis 12:1; Ezra 1:2; Habakkuk 1:6, and Jeremiah 47:2. If the writer intended for us to understand the flood to have been a global account he would have used the Hebrew word ‘tebel’ which is not found in the text.
2.) The phrase ‘face of the earth’ is used throughout Scripture to speak of a local reality rather than a global reality as we would understand and use it. We see this in Genesis 4:14, Genesis 7:11 Genesis 41:56; Exodus 10:4-5; Isaiah 24:1-3, 9-12; Ezekiel 34:6; and Daniel 8:5.
3.) The phrase ‘under heaven’ is also used throughout Scripture to speak of a local reality rather than a global reality as we would understand and use it. We see this in Deuteronomy 2:25, Deuteronomy 11:25; Job 28:24 – and this corresponds to the usage of the phrase in the New Testament in places like Acts 2:5 and Colossians 1:23.
Consider how the text would have been understood by the original audience is so vital. One writer said, “Those who continue to defend a ‘global flood view’ in our day ignore the ancient understanding of the flood as a local event as recorded by Josephus, ignore the pre-modern concept of the planet Earth which prevailed in Christendom before Columbus, and ignore local indicators in the Scriptural account’ .
Losses
Peoples lives
“Increased wickedness” is a loss.
Areas of Renewal
Covenant understanding.
Small & local does not mean insignifcant
(pg. 186 of BCS).
the need to welcome the stranger and be kind
prophetic direction
spirit led, renewing of our minds, do not despise propheti utterances (1 Thess. 5:20), spiritial words
contemporary edification
- Do you see the problem with “increased wickedness” in contrast to “innate wickedness”?
- Have you discerned the “local indicators” within the flood account?
- Are you aware that what you do in your private time, your away time, reveals itself in public, your present time?
- Would you identify as an “altar builder”?
- What gains, losses, and renewing do you discern from this time?
- Do you see the issue with thinking something local is insignificant?
- Help the needy and pursue “prophetic direction”!
Resources:
quick clip of sermon – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_WPb9s6-00
Beyond Creation Science
https://powerofpreterism.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/rev-beyondcreationscience.pdf
BCS Study of chapters 7-8 – https://mianogonewild.wordpress.com/2019/08/19/8-19-beyond-creation-science-pt-6-chapters-7-8-the-flood-account/
Sermon – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L7aNwZ0cQw