Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Answerer · 08-05-2004, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCH

Is it possible for the Flood in Genesis to be talking about a flood of the area rather than the whole world? This is something that has been suggested by a few more liberal Christians and I'm wondering if there's anything to it. Will have the specifics of the theory tomorrow when I can talk to my dad about it (he's well aquainted with it). Something like a natural dam breaking causing a huge amount of water to pour through the area and lead to the state of the bodies of water in the area that are there today, but I can't remember exactly what it was. One of the flaws in it was that the mountain traditionally thought to be where the Ark landed isn't in the right area for that to explain it, but there are other hills which it could have been mistaken for or something like that.

Anyone heard anything like this?

Well, the many local floods = one global flood is, of course, the common view of those who believe that there is only one great flood in history of mankind despite the different times of dating.

And yeah, I have many christians telling me that China was heavily flooded during Noah era regardless of the fact that flooding was a common phenomeon in China's history.

WCH · 08-05-2004, 01:20 PM

Okay, checked with my dad. He explained several theories to me, but the one I was referring to was that there was, at one time, a land bridge somewhere around Istanbul, and it was holding back a far larger Black Sea. At some time this bridge broke, letting loose a ridiculous amount of water which would have temporarily covered the entire area.

This theory holds that by "the whole world," the author meant "the known world," or even "all the world that I can see."

BeansRBad · 08-05-2004, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCH

Okay, checked with my dad. He explained several theories to me, but the one I was referring to was that there was, at one time, a land bridge somewhere around Istanbul, and it was holding back a far larger Black Sea. At some time this bridge broke, letting loose a ridiculous amount of water which would have temporarily covered the entire area.

This theory holds that by "the whole world," the author meant "the known world," or even "all the world that I can see."

I think the problem with that is that it was "God" who was doing the seeing and "God" sees all, knows all, according to the religionists - not just that of a region.

GEN.6:5, 7: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually..... And the Lord said, 'I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth..."

If humans existed in regions beyond Turkey and the Black Sea then I would certainly think that they would be included in "the known world" since it was God doing the seeing and the flooding.

Chris Weimer · 08-05-2004, 02:23 PM

Just because something actually happened doesn't make it non-mythical. Even ancient Greeks have a "world-wide" flood that destroys all life, except for a good family in a large boat. The differences are the importances and religious values imposed on the natural event by priests &c... Myths are just legends, and most legends are either trumped up events or parallel allegories.

xxthe_leewitxx · 08-05-2004, 03:57 PM

I'm sending this to the Biblical Criticism & History forum where it belongs.

Thank you,
the Leewit

Chili · 08-05-2004, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCH

Okay, checked with my dad. He explained several theories to me, but the one I was referring to was that there was, at one time, a land bridge somewhere around Istanbul, and it was holding back a far larger Black Sea. At some time this bridge broke, letting loose a ridiculous amount of water which would have temporarily covered the entire area.

This theory holds that by "the whole world," the author meant "the known world," or even "all the world that I can see."

The flood was very local and happened in the mind of Noah only. The time he spend building the ark was the time he spend on his religion and that should be about 10% (proper tithing). The actual ark was the non-rational determination to succeed that had been instilled by religion while the flood covered his entire rational world. We call it Advent today and the dove he send out was the equivalent of our white candle in the advent wreath which brings us the hope that was promised at baptism (in our 'advent' we must recognize that particular white candle as our very own baptism candle).

The promise that the flood will never happen again only means that there is no need to 'save' us more than once.

Chili · 08-06-2004, 12:21 PM

I guess the above interpretation is exclusive to Catholicism where the Advent period is recognized as a necessary precondition for salvation, . . . naturally of which Christmas is symbolic with the lofty place that our ark got stranded being the measure of richess the New Year will bring us. If, as seen in retrospect, we did stock our life-house boat with all of the animals including the wolves the magi are sure to present us sufficient insight that will take us towards a happy Easter, which really is the place where our faith journey ends.

The above doesn't sound much like a "good works" religion to me.

Toto · 08-06-2004, 01:26 PM

Actually, questions about the Flood usually belong in E/C, and I think the OP might get a better response there.

Nic Tamzek · 08-06-2004, 07:16 PM

Re: South Carolina impacts, I think you are talking about the Carolina Bays:

http://www.georgehoward.net/cbays.htm

Harry Bosch · 08-07-2004, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Answerer

Well, the many local floods = one global flood is, of course, the common view of those who believe that there is only one great flood in history of mankind despite the different times of dating.

And yeah, I have many christians telling me that China was heavily flooded during Noah era regardless of the fact that flooding was a common phenomeon in China's history.

Yes, during the Noah era (2400 BC) there were floods in China. Civilizations are built near rivers, and rivers flood all the time. The Willamette river floods every 30 years! However, the "Noah Era" floods did not kill all the Chinese! Their history goes back about 10,000 years.

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08-05-2004, 01:20 PM	#12
WCH Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,290	Okay, checked with my dad. He explained several theories to me, but the one I was referring to was that there was, at one time, a land bridge somewhere around Istanbul, and it was holding back a far larger Black Sea. At some time this bridge broke, letting loose a ridiculous amount of water which would have temporarily covered the entire area. This theory holds that by "the whole world," the author meant "the known world," or even "all the world that I can see."

08-05-2004, 02:23 PM	#14
Chris Weimer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: none Posts: 9,879	Just because something actually happened doesn't make it non-mythical. Even ancient Greeks have a "world-wide" flood that destroys all life, except for a good family in a large boat. The differences are the importances and religious values imposed on the natural event by priests &c... Myths are just legends, and most legends are either trumped up events or parallel allegories.

08-05-2004, 03:57 PM	#15
xxthe_leewitxx Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Here is where I am. Posts: 1,636	I'm sending this to the Biblical Criticism & History forum where it belongs. Thank you, the Leewit

08-06-2004, 12:21 PM	#17
Chili Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alberta Posts: 11,885	I guess the above interpretation is exclusive to Catholicism where the Advent period is recognized as a necessary precondition for salvation, . . . naturally of which Christmas is symbolic with the lofty place that our ark got stranded being the measure of richess the New Year will bring us. If, as seen in retrospect, we did stock our life-house boat with all of the animals including the wolves the magi are sure to present us sufficient insight that will take us towards a happy Easter, which really is the place where our faith journey ends. The above doesn't sound much like a "good works" religion to me.

08-06-2004, 01:26 PM	#18
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Actually, questions about the Flood usually belong in E/C, and I think the OP might get a better response there.

08-06-2004, 07:16 PM	#19
Nic Tamzek Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: California Posts: 646	Re: South Carolina impacts, I think you are talking about the Carolina Bays: http://www.georgehoward.net/cbays.htm

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