Photo from Sistine Chapel courtesy of Dr. Emil Krén.

"All the fountains of the great abyss burst forth,
and the floodgates of the sky were opened."
(Gn 7:11)

Genesis describes a world-wide flood. Did it really cover the whole world?

Presumably the Old Testament account of the Deluge was taken by the author of Genesis from the Babylonian account (Epic of Gilgamesh) and modified to express the Biblical theological viewpoint. Besides, there are hundreds of legends and myths from world cultures which affirm the Great Flood.

How did all these peoples learn about the Deluge? There are only two possibilities: 1) Either some people from different parts of the world survived the Great Flood to tell the tale or 2) the descendants of Noah who spread throughout the earth passed down the story.

Of particular interest is the Chinese Civilization which incorporated the memory of the Great Flood into the construction of their writing system as follows:

The Chinese civilization has existed uninterrupted for about 4,500 years and is the oldest on earth. Based on many similarities in astronomy, mathematics and other cultural elements between China and Sumeria, it is probable that the Chinese migrated from Sumeria and brought with them the story of Noah's Flood. As they developed their own writing system they composed the pictograph for boat with three characters, vessel, eight and person. In this character they incorporated the memory of the Deluge. The same linguistic process, although with simplified elements, can be seen in the character for flood which indicates the universality of the flood. 76

From the scientific viewpoint, the verdict is undecided. Geologist know of salt water lakes 4 to 5 thousands feet above sea level without an opening to the sea. How were they formed? Were they left over by the Great Flood? Geologists know that the sea level billions of years ago was thousands of feet higher than today and these lakes could have been left over from that time. Fossil deposits have been found with a variety of animal fossils but none with fossils from different continents. So, we do not know the extent of the Flood.

What caused the Great Flood? One theory holds that the reversal of the earth's magnetic field caused it. Another theory says that about 10,000 years ago the earth warmed up and water flooded the land forming what is now the Black Sea. A third theory suggests that an asteroid or comet plunged to earth or sea causing a vast upheaval such as volcanic eruptions, movements of the earth plates and evaporation of sea water. None of these theories can give a complete explanation.

So, what are we to believe?

1) There was a Great Flood the extent of which has not been scientifically determined.

2) The final cause was God who passed judgment upon earth's peoples as stated:

"When the LORD saw how great was man's wickedness on earth, and how no desire that his heart conceived was ever anything but evil, he regretted that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was grieved.
So the LORD said: "I will wipe out from the earth the men whom I have created, and not only the men, but also the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air, for I am sorry that I made them." But Noah found favor with the LORD." (Gn 6:5-8)

Faith teaches,

"If the world must be destroyed because of sin,
the world will be saved by justice." 77

Water of Deliverance