Noah Biblical Flood

Introduction
Many people in today’s society are aware and familiar with the historical account of Noah’s Ark and the great deluge. However, there are many stances taken on the story of Noah. Some people believe the great flood occurred, but it only effected a relatively local area. While others simply do not believe the Biblical account whatsoever. And still, there are others who believe the account at face-basis. So, who is correct? In order to prove that a global flood occurred, these points must be proved: 1) A catastrophic flood actually happened, 2) the flood effected the entire geographical world.
Evolution
In order to make a clear argument, it is necessary to define the various viewpoints in this debate. The first position covered in

this paper is that of evolution. Charles Darwin is considered to be one of the major contributors of the Theory of Evolution. According to this theory, the universe came in being under catastrophic events. Biological evolution is the process by which lifeforms change over time, and all life has descended from a common ancestor.() This “common ancestor” from which all lifeforms came from is a single-celled organism. Through genetic mutations and time, cells changed into multi-celled structures, which gave way to aquatic organisms. These aquatic organisms then evolved or adapted to live on land. Once on land, the aquatic animals gave rise to all other animal life forms. Among all of the animals, apes gave way to humans (Exploring Origins, 2015). Because the universe and life came about by itself, the theory of Evolution leaves no space for a Creator. Thus there would be no reason for evolutionists to believe in an Almighty God, who has the right to judge and flood the earth.

Uniformitarianism
Uniformitarianism is a principle that pertains more specifically to geology and physical science, and is a part of the evolutionary worldview. In 19th Century, James Hutton, introduced the idea that earth is changed through slow processes such as erosion; not by catastrophic events. Charles Lyell, who looked to Hutton, took this theory a step farther. Lyell stated that all the processes that alter earth never change in time. This is the principle of Uniformitarianism (Berkley). Thus Uniformitarianism leaves little room for any catastrophic event such as a global flood.
Local Flood
Another view, held by some Christians, is that the Noachian flood really happened. However, the flood only affected the local inhabited area, not the entire globe. John Pye Smith was the founder of the local flood hypothesis. Although there are already geological speculations of a worldwide flood, Smith pushed the idea from a theological standpoint, thus the local flood idea became readily accepted (Whitcomb and Morris, 110). This belief supports the idea that the flood only happened in the Mesopotamia area, wiping out the world’s population (Whitcomb and Morris, 110). A modern leader of this movement is Dr. Hugh Ross, who will be referenced later.
A Real Flood
Humans have access to the actual historical account of Noah and the global deluge. However, since may people do not respect the authority of God’s word, nor God himself, it is necessary to find other ways of proving the flood. Because evolutionists base their theories on what they can observe and rationalize, it is best to start by looking at physical evidence. This evidence includes: anthropological, biological, and geological records.

Anthropological Records
Interestingly enough, there are around 270 legendary accounts of a large catastrophic flood occurring from different ancient cultures (White, 2007). Now if the global deluge never happened, why would there be so many similar tales of a cataclysmic epic? Although it is true that every story varies, almost every tale shares three factors. 1) An ark was used to 2) preserve a remnant of mankind, 3) and mass destruction upon the earth was caused by great deluge of water (Nelson, 167).
Stories
In order to illustrate the similarities of legends and the actual biblical account, here are a couple of the ancient epics.
According to the Wales legend, two people (Dwyfan and Dwayfach) were saved by ship from the floods of Llyn-Llion (the sea or lake). A second Wales legend records a different ship saving pairs of animals from the deluge of Llyn-Llion (Nelson, 180). These tales combined share four common events with the actual biblical account. 1) People were preserved (Genesis 6:18), 2) by means of a water vessel (Genesis 7:1), 3) as well as animals (Genesis 7:2-3). 4) Massive destruction was caused by flooding waters (Genesis 7:21-23).
The Hawaiian account is even more similar to the biblical record.

After the first man Kumuhona, mankind displeased the gods. One righteous man, Nu-u, built a canoe with a house, and stored away provisions. Water covered the earth and Nu-u and his family were spared. After the flood was over, Nu-u looked to the moon and worshiped it, thinking it was Kane (a great god). Kane was displeased with Nu-u, but put a rainbow in the sky to show a sign of forgiveness.
This story shares seven similarities with the biblical account. 1) Mankind was corrupted (Genesis 6:5-6), 2) however, there was one righteous man (Genesis). 3) This man and his family were saved (Genesis 6:18), 4) through a water vessel (Genesis 7:1). 5) Once the waters subsided, 6) the righteous man worshiped deity (Genesis 8:20), 7) and a rainbow was sent as a sign (Genesis). As for similarities with the Wales story: humans were saved, a water vessel was used, and a mass flood destroyed earth.
As seen, the stories are all very similar. For many of the ancient civilizations to have the same epic, they must be connected to a central event. However, these tales were passed from generation to generation. Thus stories change with each telling. This anthropological evidence is still viable, but one needs stronger evidence.
Biological

Records
Darwin’s biological evolution hinged on his theory of “Survival of the Fittest.” What is Darwin’s theory about? Here is an explanation from Britannica.com:
“What the thesis of natural selection, or survival of the fittest, really claims, according to Darwinians, is not that the fittest always survive but that, on average, the more fit (or the fittest) are more successful in survival and reproduction than the less fit (or unfit). Another way of putting this is to say that the fit have a greater propensity toward successful survival and reproduction...”

In order to look at ancient biological records, fossil records must be examined.

Fossils have been found that resemble today’s creatures. However, modern animals are much smaller than the creatures the fossils indicate. For example, fossils of pigs have been found to be as big as a current-day rhinoceros. Fossils of a wolf larger than a Great Dane, an ostrich almost the height of a giraffe, a bear twenty feet tall have been discovered. Are these ancient creatures not superior to their modern day counterparts? Now, if the theory of Natural Selection is true, why are there none of these superior creatures living? All of these colossal creatures are extinct, and thus, this fossil evidence trumps the theory as stated above. Even if the fittest do not always survive (Natural Selection definition), in this case, none of the fittest survived. Thus leaving room for the possibility that catastrophic flood

occurred.
Geological Records
According to evolution and uniformity theories, the rock layers on the earth were created by million years of sedimentary deposits. And, at any prehistoric age on the earth, there was only one organism assemblage at a time. Thus the fossils found in each layer pertain to that time period (Whitcomb and Morris, 132) On the other hand, Creationist believe that the tumultuous flood caused mountains and rock formations to form. In order to see which viewpoint is correct, the fossil records must be consulted.