Creation Science

Creation Science Book Review

Is the Big Bang Biblical?

Question #9.  Does Scripture Require a Global Flood?

 

Review by Greg Neyman

© Old Earth Ministries

Review Published April 2006

 

     This question really depends upon who you ask?  Morris and other young earth creationists will say that it does.  Old earth creationists, interpreting the same inerrant Bible, will say that it does not. 

     Morris starts out by saying that a global flood was the view of most scientists and theologians of the past.  However, this was prior to the study of geology and astronomy, which revealed the vast ages of the earth.  These old scientists and theologians were acting upon the available evidence, which in their time was almost nonexistent.  For more on the fallacy of trusting the church fathers of old, click here.

     Morris says of Genesis, "the words and phrases used to describe the Flood can be interpreted in no other legitimate way."  Millions of old earth Christians testify against this statement.  They have identified this alternative legitimate way.  Of course, it is contrary to the "young earth" way, which Morris views as the only legitimate way.  Since we are all free to interpret the Word, our way of interpretation is perfectly legitimate.  It does not violate the Scriptures themselves...it only violates the young earth interpretation.

     Next Morris examines the word "global."  The translation is not in doubt, but what is in doubt is the application of the word global.  To Noah, the flood was global in that it wiped out all mankind...all the known world of his time.  Floating on the ark, with no land in sight, he would think this...even though there was land a hundred miles away beyond his sight.  The flood was "universal" in its effects, doing everything that God intended it to do.

     Next Morris demonstrates his lack of understanding of old earth belief.  He says that

"The local flood theory implies that the Indians of North America, the natives of Africa, the Scandinavians, the Chinese, etc., were not affected by the Flood.  They escaped God's judgment on sin."

    This is not what old earth local flood claims.  Progressive creationists, who do not believe in evolution, believes that all the people of the world are descended from Noah and his family, therefore all these people that Morris lists were indeed affected, because there ancestors were on the Ark!  In addition, many theistic evolutionists also believe this.  There are some theistic evolutionists, however, that would believe as Morris claims, and this argument would apply to them.

     In the end, there is no evidence given by Morris to show that you must believe in a global flood based on Scripture.  We are all free to interpret Scripture (and science) and come to our own conclusions.


 

     If you are not a Christian, and you have been holding out on making a decision for Christ because the Church always preached a message that was contrary to what you saw in the scientific world, then rest assured that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and you can believe in Christ and receive salvation, while still believing in an old earth.  Click here for more.

 

    Are you a Christian who believes in young earth creationism?  Now that we have shown the many difficulties of the young earth creation science model in this and many other articles, how does this impact your Christian life?  If you are a young earth creationism believer, click here.