Asking Questions! It's Okay!

Monday

Today we are looking at the FLOOD STORY! In the article below I try to give you confidence in asking questions. God does not want a monologue, but a dialogue. Bet sure to read the article below.

However, here is a starter question? Is there enough water in the world to cover the entire earth? Please click on the following link… a very cool graphic!

https://water.usgs.gov/edu/gallery/global-water-volume.html

This doesn’t mean water could not have covered the whole earth. However, this is the point. It is all right to ask these questions as long as your are faithful to search what the Scriptures are actually saying.

In-Depth: Ask God Tough Questions

Did you have a Mom and Dad you could ask questions? I did, for the most part. Of course, every adult has their sacred cows. A boundary you soon discover. Questions you somehow learn not to pursue. Therefore, learning cannot take place. This is not the case with our Lord and Savior! Ask Him ANYTHING? He wants you to explore EVERYTHING! This does not mean I try to discover the laws of motion by standing in front of a train. One must guard against FANCIFUL. ARROGANT. and STUPID ideas! If you are the only ONE with the idea, then it may not be the brightest idea! That’s why God gave us the ability to reason with the power of the Holy Spirit see 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22:

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.

I may gain a lot of insight on my own with God’s enabling Spirit, but I should also consider the potential the wisdom of others! Somehow, it just seems to make sense! God through His Spirit will be our teacher…

²⁶ I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. ²⁷ As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His (Jesus’) anointing teaches you about ALL THINGS and as THAT ANNOINTING IS REAL, not counterfeit—just as it (the ANNOINTING, aka Jesus via Holy Spirit) has taught you, remain in Him (Jesus).

When we study the Bible, the questions we have will be unlimited! The Bible is a mine of God’s wisdom and God likes us to work to find it! Romans 11:33 says…

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are God’s judgments, and God’s paths beyond tracing out!

And, we should not study the Word to just be knowledgeable. I know a lot of folks who know their Bible, but in their pride of knowledge they have become Pharisees, “knowing a lot, but apply little.” We are called to be formed by God’s very Words, Hebrews 4:12 explains:

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Therefore, I come to the Scriptures in faith that it is God’s Word. This does not mean I don’t value textual criticism. I do want an accurate Bible! And, I want to understand the tough questions.  Many scholars come to the Scriptures today assuming they are flawed. If one takes that view you will never have intimacy with the Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ who is the source of our Scriptures. After all, Jesus is called the LOGOS (WORD) in John 1…

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.”

Years ago, a friend properly rebuked me. He told me you do not have to defend your faith. If you do, then it is not faith. I had a pastor friend whose ordination diploma said, “Set for the defense of the Gospel.” This is a proof text. It is the KJV translation and inadequate. Even the NIV translates this passage better, “The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains…” Do you see the major difference? Duh? It is hard to believe it is the same verse! The KJV implies that someone is qualified to defend the Lord and the Scriptures. In the NIV, it is talking about a humble and proper mindset to preach the Scriptures.

TRUTH NEEDS TO BE SPOKEN, NOT DEFENDED!

Now don’t misunderstand, I am more than willing to enter thoughtful and playful banter with someone who is open to listening, reconsidering, and speaking. I am always open to reconsider, if it is not a road that’s been too heavily traveled. For example, I am pretty convinced the earth is not flat. A discussion of the flat earth would bore me and quite frankly I have too many other things on my list to learn. In like manner, I don’t want to spend a lot of time in a debate in which reconsideration of one’s views is not happening on BOTH SIDES. Folks wanting to do this don’t wish to be a part of a discussion, they just want to fight or push an agenda.

Faith in the ultimate truth will never be disappointed. This week’s passage takes us into a very controversial area, THE ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE… INCLUDING US! Therefore, when we come to today’s story in Genesis 9, which starts in Genesis 6 regarding the FLOOD STORY, we naturally will have LOTS OF QUESTIONS. Maybe some like these…

1. Is the given type of Biblical literature meant to be literal historical; or metaphorical-moralistic, or a combination?

1. How did the original readers/listeners understand the story?

1. Was there not rain before the Flood?

1. Was there not a rainbow before the Flood?

1. How could 2 animals of every unclean type and seven animals of clean type fit on a boat?

1. Why does there appear to be a conflict regarding the number of animals between these two verses? Compare Genesis 6:19-20 (2 only) with Genesis 7:2 (2 and 7 only).

1. All humanity ended up descending from 8 people? If Each person contains 2 alleles (genetic material) would that be enough to differentiate the population we see today?

1. If there was a FLOOD (it is okay to say “if”), then was it a GLOBAL FLOOD (every inch of earth is covered)? REGIONAL FLOOD that appeared global? Or, a UNIVERSAL FLOOD that wipeout humanity, but did not cover the entire earth?

1. Is there any archaeological evidence regarding a flood in the Mesopotamian basin?

1. Is there enough water in the earth to Flood the entire earth?

1. Were the mountains higher or lower in Noah’s time?

Here are a few more questions specific to this weeks passage and context:

As I sit here I can think of an unlimited list. And, as I do I start looking for answers. In any event, it is OKAY to ask these questions if you commit to finding the answers. Lazy Christians will depend on others… if you are depending on others for your knowledge then it’s not YOUR knowledge. As indicated earlier, I am to be formed by the Word of God, I cannot be formed by someone else’s knowledge. Why? Because, if I don’t understand and believe it, it will be like the seed planted in shallow or rocky soil. Faith will dissipate because I have not internalized my understanding.

See you tomorrow!