Local flood theory

The Local flood theory or a limited flood theory is an interpretation of the Genesis flood narrative, where the flood of Noah is interpreted as a local event, generally located in Mesopotamia, instead of a global event.[1][2][3][4][5]

The Flood of Noah and Companions (c. 1911) by Léon Comerre. Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

Some old Earth creationists reject flood geology,[6][7] a position which leaves them open to accusations that they thereby reject the infallibility of scripture (which states that the Genesis flood covered the whole of the earth).[8] In response, old Earth creationists cite verses in the Bible where the words "whole" and "all" clearly require a contextual interpretation.[9]

Background and history

19th century

The local flood interpretation of Noah's flood became accepted by many Christians after 19th century scientific findings . The view was defended by 19th century Scottish geologist Charles Lyell, in his book Principles of Geology (1833), where he concluded that the Genesis flood must have been a regional affair and not a global deluge.[2]

Creationist view

Old Earth creationist Dr Hugh Ross has defended the local flood theory, and promoted the view in his book "Navigating Genesis".[3][10]

Today, Young Earth Creationist organizations such as Answers in Genesis and Institute for Creation Research have criticized a local flood theory, as faulty exegesis.[4][11]

Evidence of real floods that inspired the Biblical story

There exists geological evidence that a large local flood did happen in Mesapotamia, additionally extra biblical writings such as Gilgamesh and the Epic of Atrahasis suggest that a local flood happened in ancient Mesapotamia.[12][13]

References
  1. Instone-Brewer, David; scholar2021-11-26T09:28:00+00:00, Resident Bible. "Why Noah's flood may not have been global". Premier Christianity. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  2. "GSA Today - The evolution of creationism". www.geosociety.org. Archived from the original on 2019-10-31. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  3. Ross, Hugh Norman (2014). Navigating Genesis: A Scientist's Journey Through Genesis 1-11. Reasons to Believe. ISBN 978-1-886653-86-3. Archived from the original on 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  4. "Local Flood Theory: Why It Doesn't Work". Answers in Genesis. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  5. Davidson, Richard (2004). "The Genesis Flood Narrative: Crucial Issues in the Current Debate". Viewcontent. Archived from the original on 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  6. Deluge Geology Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine, J. Laurence Kulp, Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, 2, 1(1950): 1-15.
  7. The Geologic Column and its Implications for the Flood, Copyright © 2001 by Glenn Morton, TalkOrigins website, Last Update: February 17, 2001
  8. Did Noah’s Flood cover the whole earth?, John D. Morris, Creation 12(2):48–50, March 1990
  9. The Noachian Flood: Universal or Local?, Carol A. Hill, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, p. 170-183, Volume 54, Number 3, September 2002
  10. "Does the Bible Say Noah's Flood Was Global or Universal?". Reasons to Believe. 2012-10-30. Archived from the original on 2022-03-14. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  11. "Another Local Flood Theory". www.icr.org. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  12. "Yes, Noah's Flood May Have Happened, But Not Over the Whole Earth | National Center for Science Education". National Center for Science Education. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  13. "The Flood: Mesopotamian Archaeological Evidence | National Center for Science Education". National Center for Science Education. Retrieved 2022-06-07.


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