RE: [asa] Noah's Ark- the debate over floods... and biblical interpretation

Dave W. said:
"So Bernie what was the theological purpose, from Noah through to the
tower of Babel."

The theological message is quite obvious and simple: don't sin or you will get punished. It is like asking of any work of fiction (like the story "The boy that cried wolf") "what was the moral of the story?"

Here's a good question for people like George and me:
Where did Moses get all this detailed info, such as the names of Adam and Eve and all the kids, etc.? I think he must have made it up, and he could have been inspired to do such, just as people are inspired in many lines of art (music, writing, etc.). God can work to make an impression upon the artist. So while they aren't literal history, they are made-up for a purpose- to admonish people to live righteous lives.

I think the main message of the OT is "be good, not bad." I think the NT has a new message of redemption in Christ.

I speak as one having little faith, but Jesus said blessed are those low in spirit, so I have a chance...

...Bernie

-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of Dave Wallace
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 1:14 PM
Cc: ASA
Subject: Re: [asa] Noah's Ark- the debate over floods... and biblical interpretation

Dehler, Bernie wrote:
>
> Dick:
> "It was to terminate evil doers. Do you think a king and his family
> could just slip out of town unnoticed?"
>
> You think all the evil doers were concentrated. That sounds too
> far-fetched to me. I think they spread out all over the globe- aren't
> all people evil? Even God said that... they were all evil... not just the
> locals.
>
> It sounds to me like you have your theology then shape the Scripture
> to meet it- eisigesis. It is a local flood. How long? The Bible says,
> but ignore that part. How high? The Bible says, but diminish it
> (mountains = hills). What was on the ark? The Bible says (all animal
> species with the aim to preserve them), but ignore that part.
>
> To me, it seems so straight-forward to recognize and accept what the
> Bible says, then understand it as adapting myth for theological
> purposes... just as Easter and Christmas were adapted from pagan things
> to give new Christian meaning to them.
>
> ...Bernie
>
So Bernie what was the theological purpose, from Noah through to the
tower of Babel. Empty threats of punishments soon get ignored.

Dave W

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Received on Fri Apr 10 16:00:18 2009