As our Church continues with the Masterclass study, we are posting reviews of our previous “Case for Genesis” class. This week’s post will cover the Biblical reason for the Flood, the person of Noah, God’s Covenant relationship with him, and the seaworthiness and capacity of the Ark. We will spend this session and the next few weeks on the reliability of the Biblical narrative on this topic, and the science that helps confirm it!

Watch this week’s class presentation on this topic:

Overview Notes from the presentation

A Case for Genesis

The Biblical Flood and the Ark

Review

Prayer cards: Take a minute and write your name on the index card provided, and add any special prayer request you might have. Exchange cards at the end of the class this evening.

1.  Review and recite the twelve points to the Bible’s Big Picture (5 in the Old Testament, 7 in the New Testament).

2.  From last week’s session: Based on the Christian Worldview, and in your own words, explain the problem of evil and its Biblical solution. (Try to keep it short by listing specific points)

Overview

I.  Why is the Biblical Flood an important narrative for Christians?

II.  Why did the Flood happen, and what was God’s Covenant with Noah?

III.  Why can we trust the description of the Ark, its capacity and seaworthiness?

I.  Why is the Biblical Flood an important narrative for Christians?

• Secular science curriculums teach geology from an “old-earth, uniformitarian” framework (paradigm)
• The Uniformitarianism vs. Catastrophism model began during the “Enlightenment” period in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries
• Uniformitarian view: Slow changes over long periods of time have resulted in the geologic formations we see today; The present is the key to the past/what we see today is exactly what has been in the past
• Catastrophe view: Massive, worldwide, cataclysmic destruction has resulted in the geologic formations we see today – there are secular views along with the Biblical view

A basic history of the uniformitarian view:

• 1795 James Hutton’s book, “Theory of the Earth” makes claims that the earth is old and the Biblical teachings are wrong – uniformitarian view
• 1830 Charles Lyell studied Hutton’s ideas and invented the “Geologic Column of time” – his book, “Principles of Geology” taught that the layers in the rock represent millions and billions of years, and were not a result of a global flood – Lyell said: “I want to rescue science from Moses”
• 1859 Charles Darwin, upon studying Lyell’s book, took his famous voyage around the world, and then theorizes that the diversity of life can be attributed to evolution over a long period of time and thus wrote his books: “Origin of Species” and “Descent of Man” – precursor to the modern evolutionary view

The Apostle Peter wrote, concerning the last days:

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”  2 Peter 3:3-7 (NIV)

Some important points from this passage:

• In the last days scoffers will come, they will question the Bible and Jesus by saying, “where is this ‘coming’ he promised?” (3:4)
• 2 Peter 3:3-7, refers to three major Biblical events important for us to know:
  1. Creation (3:5)
  2. Flood (3:6)
  3. Coming judgment (3:7)
• The Flood paints a picture, or foreshadow, of end times.

Jesus said, concerning the end times:

““But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,  but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”  Matthew 24:36-39 (NIV)

• Scoffers: Someone who laughs and speaks about a person or idea in a way that shows that they think that person or idea is stupid or silly. It is usually. a person who mocks or makes fun of someone or something, often of religion or moral values (we see this in the “cancel culture” movement today)
• “Scoffers never scoff because of science; they always scoff because of sin.” Eric Hovind, Christian Apologist
• Satan is the father of lies and deception – the greatest deception today is that the Bible, particularly Genesis, is not true.
• Christians need to be equipped and prepared to talk about the Creation, Flood and Jesus promise to return and establish His Kingdom on earth:

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”  Revelation 22:1-5 (NIV)

II.  Why did the Flood happen, and what was God’s Covenant with Noah?

“The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.”  Genesis 6:5-7 (NIV)

From Cain’s murder of his brother Abel, to the bragging of murder by Cain’s descendant Lamech, the hearts of men had grown colder and the influence of evil was worldwide:

• The wickedness of man was great on the earth (6:5)
• The intent of man’s heart was only evil all the time (6:5)
• The earth was corrupt (6:11)
• The earth was filled with violence (6:11, 13)
• All flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth (6:12)

Who were the Nephilim?
Genesis 6:1-4

Three common interpretations by scholars for the “sons of God and the daughters of men” (Gen. 6:2)

1. Sons of God = the line of Seth, and the daughters of men = the line of Cain (this is the most common Christian interpretation today)
2. Sons of God = angels/demons (early Church Fathers’ interpretation)
3. Sons of God = royal line (Jewish traditional interpretation)

Nephilim = “giant ones” these were the offspring of the sons of God and the daughters of men

What was God’s Covenant (promise) to Noah?

3^rd Major Historical Player: Noah

“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.” 

Genesis. 6:8-9

Noah was the only one left who had a personal relationship with God, and God made a Covenant with him:

2^nd Major Theological Event:
The Noachian Covenant

“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually…. But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. …“Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that in on the earth shall perish. But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.”” Genesis 6:5, 8, 17-18 (NASB)

• Noah would carry the righteous seed of the “Original Promise/Covenant” (Gen. 3:15) through to the post flood world.
• It is through Noah’s descendant Abraham that God would further unveil the meaning of this Covenant (Gen. 12:1-3).

The Rainbow Promise

“Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, “Now behold, I Myself am establishing My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, every animal of the earth. I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be eliminated by the waters of a flood, nor shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations; I have set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall serve as a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I make a cloud appear over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the rainbow is in the cloud, then I will look at it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.””

Genesis 9:8-17 (NASB)

III.  Why can we trust the description of the Ark, its capacity and seaworthiness?

We can calculate and compare to what we know today about “seaworthiness” based on a few examples:

• God specified the structure and dimensions of the Ark – reflects modern shipping vessels today with similar dimensions
• The cargo capacity of the Ark was sufficient for the “Kinds” of animals it carried – more than enough room left over for humans and food
• The seaworthiness of the Ark – not built to navigate, but built to withstand the turbulence
• The “Kinds” of living things that were brought on the Ark were specified – Kinds not Species = less needed
  • God was specific about the number and “Kinds” that were to be taken
  • God did not need Noah to take every Species of each Kind – the genetics were there
  • There was no need to take water dwelling organisms
  • Noah would have taken the very young of the Kinds for reproductive purposes, not the larger older ones

“So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.  Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them. Noah did everything just as God commanded him. The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and one pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, and also seven pairs of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth.”  Genesis 6:14-22; 7:1-3 (NIV)

Going Deeper

Class Resources and References for this topic:

isgenesishistory.com – Is Genesis History? – Documentary, video clips, lectures and more

searchcreation.org – Search 1000’s of questions for answers on Genesis and creation topics

genesisapologetics.com – Easy-to-understand web, video, and written products for pastors, parents, and students. The materials are “core” to the Creationist position

creation.com – (CMI) Creation Ministries International’s website: Speakers, videos, articles, tours and more (including topics on aliens and dinosaurs!)

creationtoday.org – A Community oriented group hosted by Eric Hovind with weekly interviews, podcasts and an online community

creationministries.org – Recommended Book: “The Cost” by Russ Miller – See his website for more materials and Grand Canyon tours

answersingenesis.org – Books, articles and conferences geared for all ages, with excellent resources for children; designer and host of “the Ark Encounter” in Williamstown, KY

icr.org – Academic experts from all fields of science related to creation and Genesis; designer and host of the “Creation Museum” in Dallas, TX

Read Genesis Chapter 8 with your group then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

2.  Chapter 8 begins with: “God remembered Noah…” (Note: Keep in mind that Hebrew language uses terminology that is picturesque, and it is purposeful when God is given human characteristics in order for the reader to understand. It was at this point God stopped the flood—He had not forgotten Noah). What does the Scripture say about how and when God stopped the flood (8:1-5)?

3.  How long did it take for the floodwaters to recede in order to see the tops of the mountains, and how much time did it take before the earth was dry enough for Noah to leave the Ark (8:3-14)? Discuss: Would “receding of the waters” have an effect such as we see in places like the Grand Canyon? Why, or why not?

4.  What did God tell Noah when they exited the Ark and why (8:15-19, and also in 9:7)?

5.  What did Noah do after leaving the Ark, and what specifically did God say to him about “man’s heart” (8:20-22)? Discuss:  Do you think humans are born basically good or basically evil? Can you defend your answer Biblically?

6.  Going Deeper: How long was it between the start of the flood (go back to chapter 7) and when Noah left the Ark? Write out your timeline/calculations.

Please join us each week as we continue our case for Genesis!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15