Prior to enrolling a Christian University to earn my Bachelors in Bible and Preaching, I had an understanding that there are many theological topics that are highly debated in the church. Some of the topics of debate are over Calvin's view of salvation (soteriology) and eschatology, specifically the topic of the Pretribulation Rapture narrative. Other topics include baptism, which translation to read and anything other than the KJV is considered evil, the role of women in the church whether they can be ministers or not, and the issue of divorce and remarriage. After I graduated I found out that the list I provided is barely the tip of the iceberg. Christians argue over so many things.
One topic I do find to be important is the issue of creation. Well, to better put this in perspective is dealing with atheist on the subject. With the influence of men such as Richard Dawkins, Neil Tyson deGrasse, Lawrence Krauss, Stephen Hawkins, Victor Stenger, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett, to name just a few of the most well known atheist, there should be some level of debate to defend the faith. Their influence has been a primary cause for so many young people leaving the church. Liberal Universities in general have been the breading grounds for this exodus from the church.
However, the troubling debate ground is found among Christians. I am speaking of biblically sound, faithful men and women of God. Their argument stems around whether the earth is young or old. I am lead to ask what is the point? How does this type of debate edify one another? How does this support the Kingdom of God? How is this relevant to the gospel message? I ask these question when they dive into the Scriptures, specifically when the address the topic of the flood. I have my views and I will share them but first, what is the big deal of whether the earth is old or young? I like what the Scriptures say, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of the law." (Deut. 29:29). Can anyone know everything there is to know? I don't think so. Mysteries are wonderful, they keep us humble.
Now, my view about the flood, my believe is the flood was regional. I state this on the idea that the biblical author knew only so much of the world. His understanding of the geography was limited and wrote according to that knowledge. Some claim that it was global based on the notion that the world was one large land mass that divided after the flood, referencing Genesis 10:25. The word for land or earth in Hebrew means just that but could it also mean people rather than geographical identity? I like to think so for Genesis 10 is a pretext to Genesis 11. What I mean is, Genesis 11 goes into detail as what happened in Genesis 10, the people were divided due God's actions at the Tower of Babel. Peleg was born during that time.
My second reason is the topic of giants. Genesis 6: 1-4 tells us that the Sons of God, divine beings, married the daughters of man and had children known as the Nephilim. According to other ancient Hebrew text such as The Book of Enoch, the Nephilim were giants. The author of Genesis 6 says, "The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and afterword." Afterword of what? The flood of course. Genesis 6 leads into the flood narrative and Noah's preparation. Therefore, all the giants did not die by the flood.
However, some scholars believe that Noah was a Nephilim himself. I have trouble with this notion. Noah was regarded as a righteous man. The Nephilim was not fully divine nor fully human. According to The Book of Enoch they were vile, murderous, evil beings. They were cabalistic and ravaged the land. They were commanded to fight one another to the death while their parents watched. Evidently, not all of them were there for this event.
We find that Israel had to fight these beings in 2 Samuel 21 (1 Chronical 20 repeats this narrative). Lets not forget the fight between David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. Another know giants was King Og, who was remnant of the Rephaim, who were believed to be giants as well. King Og had a bed that was nine cubits long and four cubits wide. A cubit was roughly an inch and a half, give or take. So King Og was near nine foot tall. Goliath was well over 6 foot tall, perhaps 7 plus.
So knowing that these beings survived the flood leads me to believe that the the flood was not global. However, that is what I believe and not everyone will nor has to agree with me. I can see how this can connect to the gospel in regards to why Jesus came. He not only came to deal with what happened in the Garden (Genesis 3) but to deal with what happened in Genesis 6: 1-4, as well as the events of Genesis 11. Regardless on what I believe, the point is how do I deal with this knowledge
Knowing is half the battle. Communicating that knowledge is power when that knowledge is used to build rather than destroy. When someone uses their knowledge to put another person down, to degrade them and insult, that knowledge is being abused. A fool hates knowledge. A wise and prudent man knows how to guard knowledge, they know not to cast their pearls before swine.
Let's not forget what Paul said about correction, "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." (2 Timothy 2: 22-26). When knowledge causes division think about the purpose of that knowledge and be willing to consider what the other person has to present. When traditions and presuppositions keep you from learning you have already allowed pride to enter your life.
One topic I do find to be important is the issue of creation. Well, to better put this in perspective is dealing with atheist on the subject. With the influence of men such as Richard Dawkins, Neil Tyson deGrasse, Lawrence Krauss, Stephen Hawkins, Victor Stenger, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett, to name just a few of the most well known atheist, there should be some level of debate to defend the faith. Their influence has been a primary cause for so many young people leaving the church. Liberal Universities in general have been the breading grounds for this exodus from the church.
However, the troubling debate ground is found among Christians. I am speaking of biblically sound, faithful men and women of God. Their argument stems around whether the earth is young or old. I am lead to ask what is the point? How does this type of debate edify one another? How does this support the Kingdom of God? How is this relevant to the gospel message? I ask these question when they dive into the Scriptures, specifically when the address the topic of the flood. I have my views and I will share them but first, what is the big deal of whether the earth is old or young? I like what the Scriptures say, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of the law." (Deut. 29:29). Can anyone know everything there is to know? I don't think so. Mysteries are wonderful, they keep us humble.
Now, my view about the flood, my believe is the flood was regional. I state this on the idea that the biblical author knew only so much of the world. His understanding of the geography was limited and wrote according to that knowledge. Some claim that it was global based on the notion that the world was one large land mass that divided after the flood, referencing Genesis 10:25. The word for land or earth in Hebrew means just that but could it also mean people rather than geographical identity? I like to think so for Genesis 10 is a pretext to Genesis 11. What I mean is, Genesis 11 goes into detail as what happened in Genesis 10, the people were divided due God's actions at the Tower of Babel. Peleg was born during that time.
My second reason is the topic of giants. Genesis 6: 1-4 tells us that the Sons of God, divine beings, married the daughters of man and had children known as the Nephilim. According to other ancient Hebrew text such as The Book of Enoch, the Nephilim were giants. The author of Genesis 6 says, "The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and afterword." Afterword of what? The flood of course. Genesis 6 leads into the flood narrative and Noah's preparation. Therefore, all the giants did not die by the flood.
However, some scholars believe that Noah was a Nephilim himself. I have trouble with this notion. Noah was regarded as a righteous man. The Nephilim was not fully divine nor fully human. According to The Book of Enoch they were vile, murderous, evil beings. They were cabalistic and ravaged the land. They were commanded to fight one another to the death while their parents watched. Evidently, not all of them were there for this event.
We find that Israel had to fight these beings in 2 Samuel 21 (1 Chronical 20 repeats this narrative). Lets not forget the fight between David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. Another know giants was King Og, who was remnant of the Rephaim, who were believed to be giants as well. King Og had a bed that was nine cubits long and four cubits wide. A cubit was roughly an inch and a half, give or take. So King Og was near nine foot tall. Goliath was well over 6 foot tall, perhaps 7 plus.
So knowing that these beings survived the flood leads me to believe that the the flood was not global. However, that is what I believe and not everyone will nor has to agree with me. I can see how this can connect to the gospel in regards to why Jesus came. He not only came to deal with what happened in the Garden (Genesis 3) but to deal with what happened in Genesis 6: 1-4, as well as the events of Genesis 11. Regardless on what I believe, the point is how do I deal with this knowledge
Knowing is half the battle. Communicating that knowledge is power when that knowledge is used to build rather than destroy. When someone uses their knowledge to put another person down, to degrade them and insult, that knowledge is being abused. A fool hates knowledge. A wise and prudent man knows how to guard knowledge, they know not to cast their pearls before swine.
Let's not forget what Paul said about correction, "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." (2 Timothy 2: 22-26). When knowledge causes division think about the purpose of that knowledge and be willing to consider what the other person has to present. When traditions and presuppositions keep you from learning you have already allowed pride to enter your life.
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