Hi again. I was wonering? Does the Church acknowledge that the Flood of Noah's time consumed the whole earth? If so, wouldn't this put it at odds with the population in Giza at the time when the constructions of the pyramids took place. Would the multiplying of humanity have numbered to that amount in such little time?

-- D Joseph (newfiedufie@msn.com), June 21, 2004

Answers

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-- D Joseph (newfiedufie@msn.com), June 21, 2004.

The Church's teaching on the Great Flood covered the entire known earth. That there could have been placed unknown at the time is possible.

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), June 21, 2004.

"That there could have been placed unknown at the time is possible."

Bill, I don't understand what you are saying here.

-- D Joseph (newfiedufie@msn.com), June 21, 2004.

To the best of my knowledge the Church has never made an official decree concerning specifically the matter of Noah and the Flood.

I hope this is specific enough. It could be true, or partially true (the oral tradition of Genisis had visibility of the flood as over all the earth, but maybe not over all of it and parts the tradition could not see were not covered), or it could simply be symbolic (it is pretty much agreed to that the flood is symbolic of baptism).

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), June 21, 2004.

Thed point is the word " World" doesnt mean " Planet" the New world, the Amricas, whee literlaly seen at oen time as sperate worlds form the old world of Europe.

Language changes over time.

Thus, Noah's flood coidl have covered the whole world, of Noah, and still not onsumed the entire planet.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), June 21, 2004.

But the Church does say that all died except Noah and his family correct?

-- D Joseph (newfiedufie@msn.com), June 21, 2004.

But the Church does say that all died except Noah and his family correct?

In the story, yes, but that doesn't mean we have to believe that literally everyone on earth died in the flood. There is a lot of talk within the Church of the symbology of the flood and the ark, but again, to the best of my knowledge the Church has never made an official decree concerning specifically the matter of Noah and the Flood.

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), June 21, 2004.

The Church hasn't said when the flood occurred. It could have been 6,000 years ago, or 60,000.

During the last ice-age, it's possible that most of human populations were confined to a pretty narrow band of territory - No one in North or South America, Australia, Oceania and much of Europe and Asia (covered by ice).

Who can say that a regional flood (of all the INHABITED WORLD) couldn't have wiped out all but a small remnant of humans?

There are two sides to this debate: some discount any miracle so believe the story is just a myth designed to teach truths...others believe in miracles so believe the historicity of the details (1 family, 1 big boat, 1 huge flood, etc).

Until they excavate Mt Ararat I don't think we'll really settle this case... but for the sake of argument...what happens if they discover a 450 foot long wooden boat pearched at 13,000 feet on the slopes of that mountain? What if it's hold is full of animal droppings traceable to most of the known species of mammals and non-swiming reptiles on earth?

I guarantee you that those who don't believe in miracles will immediately talk of hoax, medieval tricksters, Da Vinci cults etc.

-- Joe (joestong@yahoo.com), June 23, 2004.

Actually, I asked this question on the ask an apologist forum and she said that the Church teaches the same thing the bible says. The only questions that remain are the scientific ones such as the coverage of the waters, the time it happened...etc. which are not theological ones.

-- D Joseph (newfiedufie@msn.com), June 23, 2004.

D Joseph, Ask for references.

thanks bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@Hotmail.com), June 24, 2004.

Is this your question?

I see she said the Church teaches what the Bible says, but her references don't address that hypothesis.

In Christ,
Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), June 24, 2004.

Yeah Bill, that was my question. And you're right, I dont think those references do answer what I asked. Perhaps she got her answer from somwhere else but could only supply me with the ones on the web. I just don't know.

-- D Joseph (newfiedufie@msn.com), June 25, 2004.

Again, to the best of my knowledge the Church has never made an official decree concerning specifically the matter of Noah and the Flood.

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), June 25, 2004.

The Bible contains the truth which the Holy Spirit inspired men to put in it for our salvation. It is not, and was NEVER meant to be, a textbook of geography, history, zoology or hydrology. This is not a new “liberal” idea; it goes back at least to St Augustine.

-- Steve (55555@aol.com), June 28, 2004.

my time don come, i go make by the grace of God. Amen.

-- mugu man (mugu@guyman.com), July 16, 2004.