Ratel

I hope this is the right forum to post this, if not, many apologies:

The Tower of Babel story seems to be a difficult one for Biblical Inerrantists to defend, especially those with a knowledge of linguistics. Yet, I know a Christian who adheres to Biblical Literalism/Inerrancy and is a student of the evolution of languages. Since I am pretty ignorant of this field, I wonder if anyone can tell me:

A. Is there anyway to "fix" the alleged date of the Tower of Babel based on genealogies recorded in the Bible, etc? I would reckon that it would have to have taken place between 3000 BCE and 2000 BCE.

B. What are the earliest dates for a recorded language, do they predate the supposed Babel dates? (I assume there was a huge diversity of languages by 3000 BCE, but can it be proven?)

C. How would current knowledge about the origin of languages refute the Genesis Babel story? (any references you can give me would be helpful)

D. Any other info you can provide about this story that I haven't thought of would also be appreciated!

Thanks for your help.

Roland

Egyptian and Sumerian writing both existed by around 3200 B.C.

The Tower of Babel would have to have occured around 2300-2200 B.C. based on Biblical geneologies (the flood around 2400 B.C.).

contracycle

The distribution patterns are all wrong. If the story were true, we would expect to see varying language radiating outward from the middle east. But we don't see much - there is lots of traffic however from Eurasia to the ME, though.

Jabu Khan

What I don't understand is what was so threatening about a tower being ascended by some stone masons compared to say astronauts headed for the moon or low-orbit ICBMs with nuclear war-heads?

And I still don't get how this explains all the languages of the earth when it was pre flood. Did Noah's family all speak a different language?

Cognos

The Tower of Babel was after the flood.

contracycle

Because it was going to reach heaven, and that is arrogant. Divine beings don;t like uppity creations, and smite them accordingly. We should wait for them to bestow their blessings on us in patience and humility.

spin

Isn't that the basic problem with the modern man-made state of Israel?


spin

Quixote

all States/Countries and Empires are/have been man made... last time I looked

Craig

Heaven must have moved up higher then, since we're not in space and all that. A 600 foot (? just a guess) tall tower was a threat, but sending men to the Moon is OK with God I guess.

Alludium Fozdex

Perhaps the moon capsules were moving too fast for God to draw a bead on them; divine thunderbolts aren't known for pinpoint accuracy.

Or perhaps the moon landings were all FAKED!

:: runs away, dodging rotten fruit ::