A theologian recently sparked a debate on social media by claiming that the flood in the Bible’s story of Noah’s Ark was local, not global.
In an interview with CBN NewsGavin Ortlund, President of Truth Unites, explained that he was the first to do this. Claim He made the following claim on his YouTube channel: Genesis 6 The story is “about local events that occur in large areas of the Earth, but not globally.”
“I just wanted to help people understand some of the arguments against that view. So I wanted to help people understand that there are indeed differences within Orthodox Christianity.” said Ortlund. “Historically, a lot of people don’t realize that.”
However, he also made it clear that he does not think the extent of local flooding is small. Ortlund pointed out that this argument is based on an interpretation of Genesis that focuses on the limited scope of humanity at the time.
“In fact, we have a good example of how, in the original sense, the author and the first listener did not have the entire globe in mind. So this is simply a matter of biblical interpretation,” he said. He said. “At this point, it appears that humanity was also simply regional. This was before the dispersal of humanity that occurred after the Tower of Babel. Genesis chapter 10 And 11, that is, all of humanity would be present in this part of the Earth at this time before being dispersed around the world. ”
Despite facing backlash for this view, Ortlund refuted claims that he was a theological liberal or that he promoted beliefs that were not tied to the Bible.
“I’m an evangelical Christian,” he said. “I believe in the inerrancy of the Bible. I think the Bible is completely trustworthy.” , you’ll find it to be quite a classic Christian.”
He also pointed out that the Biblical writers had no knowledge of the extent of the Americas or the entire globe. face wire I will report it.
“We are all responding to advances in science and knowledge about the Earth, and we must adjust our interpretation of the Bible accordingly,” Ortlund said. “It’s not because the Bible isn’t true; it’s because we see the world from an ancient perspective and use language that reflects that perspective to try to interpret ‘what the text meant in its original context.’ This is because it is.”
The theologian added that his view of the flood does not change anything theologically about the Bible’s story.
“I don’t think there’s any significant theological significance when it comes to the specific issue of the extent of the body of water,” he said.
Ken HamAnswers in the Genesis Mission deny, among other things, the concept of a regional flood.
“Whether Noah’s flood was global or localized is an important question,” says Genesis Answers. statement. “Because ultimately what is at issue is the authority of the entire Word of God.”
“It is true that the text of the Bible Genesis 6-8 It clearly teaches that the Flood was global, and rejecting that teaching undermines the credibility and authority of the rest of the Bible. John 3:16. “The word of God must be trustworthy and authoritative in all that it affirms,” the text added.
Photo credit: © Getty Images/MR1805
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributor to Christian Headlines and host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast dedicated to sound doctrine and Biblical truth. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Alliance Theological Seminary.
