This week we are continuing to make a case for creation by looking at evidence from geology that supports the Biblical account of a global flood. We are specifically looking at evidence from the Grand Canyon and the layered sediment that can be found, not only there, but across the continent and even worldwide. The evidence screams water laid cataclysm and even the position and locations of fossils within the sediments shouts catastrophe of unprecedented proportions.

Watch part two of A Case for Creation Session Five, on Noah and the Flood:

Overview Notes from the presentation

Is there evidence today that the Earth suffered a catastrophic worldwide flood; and do other cultures have flood legends, supporting the Biblical account?

We have plenty of observational evidence of what flood damage can due

(Picture examples are in the presentation above, including a personal account of evidence observed at Grand Canyon)

• The effects of any flood can be observed today when we see the devastating aftermath from rapidly moving water currents and mudflows that contain debris capable of cutting through solid rock like butter, and this is what we see on a higher scale in places like the Grand Canyon
• We can also observe canyons being carved out in a matter of days by both rushing and receding waters after floods and volcanic eruptions
• Evidence from the Mount St. Helen’s eruption in 1980 gave us a glimpse of the type of catastrophic damage a “great deep” eruption can cause – the aftermath of that eruption and subsequent flooding carved out a canyon now referred to as “Little Grand Canyon”

WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE DEBATE?

IT IS THE INTERPRETATION OF THE ROCK AND SEDIMENTARY LAYERS, AND THE FOSSILS THEREIN, THAT IS AT THE CORE OF THE DEBATE

Our geology, history, and fossil record screams “worldwide flood”

• Water from above can cause massive flood damage, but it is the “bursting of the great deep,” which would have included volcanic activity worldwide, that would have resulted in complete destruction and reshaping of the top core of the earth
• The aftermath of a great flood can be evidenced today in the topography of the earth around the world where we find upwarping of mountain ranges; carving of canyons by water and debris; rock formations that could only occur by rapid carving of water; and layers of sediments containing fossils that could only form from rapid laying down by water and mudflows
• There is evidence of water laid sediment forming coal
• There are water compressed trees found vertically petrified across the layers
• Marine fossils are found in inland areas and high altitudes
• In Agate Springs, NE there are over 9000 animal bones in one location that appear to have been “pushed” together there, and this is just one example of many places like this
• We find death poses in the fossils that indicate a sudden catastrophic demise
• Many geological strata are tightly bent, not broken, and this can only happen due to water flow molding them while they are still soft
• Sheer walls of canyons are carved out quickly by fast moving water with no evidence of erosion over time

Do other cultures have flood legends?

Catastrophic flood stories are found in almost every historical record of varying cultures worldwide with similar stories of a large boat, a family, animals and catastrophe.

270 Nations/tribes have records of a flood story worldwide:

• 88% say a favored family was spared
• 70% report survival was by a boat
• 95% say the sole cause of a great catastrophe was a flood
• 66% say it was because of men’s wickedness
• 77% report animals were saved
• 57% say survivors ended up on a mountain
• Many use a form of Noah’s name
• Many speak of a rainbow
• Many say it was 8 people who survived

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And the rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.  Genesis 7:11-12 (Read on through verse 24 for the full impact)

Going Deeper

To get a better understanding of the effects of a worldwide flood, watch this short video that contains excellent graphics, “Noah’s Flood on North America,” by Genesis Apologetics (it’s a short one 16:35)

Watch this longer presentation for specifics on the forming of the fossil record, by Dr. Kurt Wise:

1. What evidence for the Biblical flood stands out most to you and why?
2. PTRs: Prayer focus – Pray for opportunities to share you Biblical worldview with others.

Bible Study

Each week we will do a Bible study in the book of Genesis to practice our Bible study skills. This week read or re-read Genesis Chapter 7, then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

Always remember to pray before reading and studying Scripture.

1.  What did God tell Noah to do concerning the animals and birds, and why (7:2-4)? How is this command different than the one in 6:19-20?

2.  Noah had a “7-day notice” for when the flood would begin. Answer and discuss the following questions about the specifics of the flood (7:11-24):

1. • How old was Noah when the flood came, and is there additional dating information as to when the flood started?
   • Where did the water come from? Why is this significant?
   • How long did the rain fall upon the Earth?
   • Who enter the Ark with Noah?
   • Who closed the door of the Ark?
   • How high did the waters rise, and what was covered up, during the flood?
   • What perished during the flood?
   • How long did the waters prevail/increase on the Earth?

3.  Discuss: Based on what you have read so far, how violent was this flood, and how do you think it might have affected the Earth’s surface (topography), environment and weather? For example: Up-warping/lifting of mountain ranges and lowering of the ocean floors, or rapid burial of living things etc. Cite some evidence of these effects.

Join us next week as we continue our “Case for Creation and A Study in Genesis – Session 5: Noah and the Flood, Part 3”

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