Those so called Bible Scholars

Bible Scholars

Why do non-Christians think they know more than Christians?

I know this subject is going to be a hard one to get through, but I have to try. Many of you may know that in the past I've spent a lot of time on Atheistic forums, I've given up this practice because all I get is a headache listening to these self confessed Bible scholars who don't understand even the most basic of ideas.

Last month the group of Atheistic Bible scholars known as FI (from the MSN group Fighting Ignorance) are arguing the points of the flood account. Their main arguments were the "impossibility" that anyone could have enough time (taking into account the numerous creatures that live in remote locations, the work that needed to be done on the ark and provisions that needed to be gathered to name a few.) to build, supply, and gather the cargo of the ark as it is described in Genesis.

Of course just at face value their arguments have validity, however it also proves they have not read the story as it appears in the Bible, just regurgitating what they have heard from children's books and Sunday school.

The text

As it appears in the Bible, and what it is really saying, based on Biblical Scriptures

Genesis 6:

1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Why a flood, kind loving God and total destruction, who are the "sons of God"?

The term "sons of God" in the text means "Angels," there is no other Biblical explanation for the term. The thought of Seth's descendants being "sons of God" does not take into account Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. Which means the opposite of what many perceive it to. It actually means that idol worship, and blasphemy started with Enos, which blows the 'Seth's descendants' argument to shreds.

3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Why destroy everything?

Sin was rampant, all of creation was against the Lord, the text reads "giants" and "men of renown" these terms are used to paint a picture of a time so traumatic that if the Lord did not step in, that even the provision of salvation was in jeopardy.

Keep in mind, everything we know about science, nature, and creation is post fall and post flood. Like a computer program, it is impossible to back engineer these earlier times.

The previous passage also shows the Lord's feelings towards us, as a father I know how hard it is punish and correct my own child, the word translated 'repented' would be the same as saying He was heartbroken over what was about to happen.

Yet we see, like every time the Lord pronounces judgment, all of creation had 120 years for asking forgiveness, the oldest person in the Bible was a testimony of this chance. The name Methuselah means 'his death will bring' and it did, only after his unusually long life did the flood begin.

This brings us to another reason behind this story, the flood account is a model of the church, and the coming end of that time. Which brings me to the point. In order to fully understand the Bible, one needs to not only understand the stories, but also recognize the models introduced and built on in those stories.

This story is one of my favorites. We have three groups of people; one group represented by a single person raptured before the tribulation, another group is carried through the tribulation, (why was there only one door on the ark? Like Christ there is only one way to salvation, and as we'll learn in the next chapter the Lord himself closes and seals that way too salvation.) and the third is lost in the tribulation. Each group is distinct and recognizable, this model is the same throughout the Bible, but is easier to see here. Biblically speaking prophecy is more about patterns than prediction and fulfillment.

9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

Verse 9 illustrates the purpose of the flood, the human line was at risk, the messiah in order to be a perfect sacrifice had to have a clean line from Adam, which we know from the gospels that He was indeed a direct relation through Mary, and His adopted father. The variances in the genealogies reflect this, Matthew who was interested in the Jewishness of the messiah runs his genealogy through Joseph and the royal line down to Adam. While Luke runs his genealogy through Mary through Solomon through the priestly line of Aaron to Adam. So the thought of King and priest is found in the genealogies. These genealogies are in the Bible for a reason, they show that the messiah is not only who He says He is, but that He can offer the supreme sacrifice, and be righteous to do so.

Why would anyone pitch a boat inside and out? If you wanted to water proof a boat, you pitch it on the outside. One explanation for this would be to preserve it for future discovery, with all the debates as to whether or not the Bible can be trusted, the Ark showing up, would be something to argue with.

15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

Another thing atheists have trouble with is the size of the ark. Why? If a cubit equals 16" (which would be an average of what is believed a cubit is some say 10" others 22") then the ark would have over a million cubic feet of holding capacity. There have been several people in the past who have done some very good, research on the subject, and have concluded that not only would it have enough room, but be very sea worthy. The folks at FI could not see enough space for full grown animals, which again show there bias views and lack of observation, nowhere does it mention the age of any of the animals. So why would anyone assume that the ark was populated by mature animals? Just a thought of all the animals on earth, how many as juveniles are the size of a sheep or less? How many sheep could fit in a million plus cubic feet of space?

Fresh water fish? Who's to say there were any? The salinity of the oceans could be 95% less at the time of the flood, before the flood it had never rained, meaning no run off, the water cycle was different pre-flood. Again we can not back engineer creation, or the natural world. We only know our physical surroundings post flood.

16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Again the powers of observation of an atheist: two of every sort shall come unto thee Now how did they gather all those animals? I know 'thinking' people don't accept supernatural explanations, but sometimes that is the only solution, I can't help but think about the Exodus and the manna that was provided, and the supernatural properties it possessed.

The conclusion of chapter 6

Stories like this one suffer because so many people have heard all sorts of bad information about it. It is a lot like the Sunday School Jesus, tan blue eyed blond son of a carpenter, always smiling; the reality is far from it. The Bible is a book that has been widely read and scrutinized by every group imaginable. Yet what it says and what we perceive it says is more than often at odds. How to talk to an Atheist I've spoken many times about talking to atheists, or non believers; and how difficult it can be. I really thought it was cruel to not respond, however now instead of getting a headache I'm going to reply using the following:

Proverbs 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. KJV

Proverbs 9:7 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. NKJV

As defined by 'Illustrated Bible Commentary'

A scoffer or mocker is thoroughly set against wisdom (Pro 1:22 ) and scoffs at the things of God (Psa 1:1 ). How should a person respond to a mocker? It is best not to respond at all. By contrast, a wise man accepts correction and responds with gratitude to the one who points out his error. A wise person always welcomes constructive criticism; by implication, he or she is also humble.

As defined by 'Believers Bible Commentary'

Pro 9:7 -9 The continuity here seems to be broken, but perhaps these verses explain either why the invitation is not sent to scorners, or why Wisdom's guests must forsake them. If you correct a scoffer, you get only abuse for it. If you rebuke a wicked man, he will turn on you and assault you. The way in which a man receives rebuke is an index of his character. A scoffer hates you, whereas a wise man will thank you. How do you react when parent, teacher, employer, or friend corrects you? Instead of resenting criticism, a wise man takes it to heart and thus becomes still wiser. A just man benefits by increasing his store of useful learning.