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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