The Big Questions About the BibleSample

Could the Story of Noah's Ark Actually be True?

One of the first things an atheist often mentions to ridicule Christianity is the story of Noah and the flood.

"You don't really believe in Noah's ark, do you?"

They think the Loch Ness monster or Big Foot are more likely than a worldwide flood story.

If there is a story in the Bible that polarises opinions, it's the story of Noah's ark! Even if you ask three different Christians, you might find one who believes it's a literal story; another who says it's kind of literal, but it has to do with a massive flood that wasn't worldwide, or another who says it's not meant to be taken literally because it's just a myth. So, which is it?

The idea there was never a worldwide flood, which most people believe, is based on the widespread assumption that what we see in the natural world came about through very slow processes over millions and billions of years. In this worldview, what we see today is much like what existed. Evolution and natural forces such as wind erosion have gradually shaped our world and the life in it. Looking at the world in that way is called "gradualism" for obvious reasons.

What if there was another possible explanation? The same evidence is there. What if the past was not like today, so instead, the world as we see it today was shaped by forces much more rapidly and powerfully than what we see today? This view is called "catastrophism." It says that our world was principally shaped due to a series of tremendous catastrophes.

In this way of seeing the world, the planet's geological features perhaps didn't develop over millions of years but instead rapidly due to cataclysmic forces. According to the Bible, the fossil layers weren't laid down over long periods but quickly through a massive partial extinction event, which would be the worldwide flood.

For example, the eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington State in the US demonstrated the rapid formation of geological features such as coal beds, sedimentary layers, canyons, and new rock scientifically dated as ancient – all within a few years.

I know, considering the possibility of the existence of a worldwide flood and Noah's ark is pretty radical for most people. I'll leave it for you to look into it further if you're interested.

Although this is a big question, it doesn't affect the biggest question of all, which has to do with the reality of Jesus and what he offers you and me as well!

– Eliezer Gonzalez