Does the Flood Account Matter?
Updated: Sep 21
by David Rollert
You do not have to be a professional apologist to see one of the most massive differences between the Bible’s recorded history and the secular evolutionary view of history. That difference is the great flood of Noah’s time. Genesis chapters 6 through 9 record how the world of that time became so wicked that every thought of their hearts was evil continually (Gen. 6:5). Because of this great evil, God instructed the only righteous man left, Noah, to build an ark to save his family from the flood. God instructed Noah to take two of every kind of animal, and seven of each clean animal on the ark. God flooded the entire world, killing every living thing that walked on the earth while bringing Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark safely through the flood. Scientists with a biblical worldview point to the great flood as the cause of many of the geologic features we see on earth today.
Secular evolution scoffs at the idea of a worldwide flood, claiming instead that the geologic features we see were formed over billions of years of slow build-up and erosion. The secular view is taught in most schools and science textbooks. It’s the accepted narrative in TV shows and movies. Because it is so prevalent, even many Bible-believing Christians buy into it. The Bible describes a global flood, but they question if that really matters. In simple terms, yes, it does matter.
First, Genesis is presented as history in the Bible: Not allegory or myth, but history. So, to take the flood account as simply being a myth, a person has to say that Genesis is not history. However, Genesis sets up the reason for the whole rest of the Bible. The fall of man is recorded in Genesis 3, which sets up the need for Jesus to come in the flesh at all. Genesis records the start of the nation of Israel. If Genesis is not history, then the rest of the Bible is thrown into question. That is exactly what opponents of the Bible intend. They want to destroy the credibility of the entire Bible, so they attack the foundation.
Second, Jesus treats the great flood as having been literal. Consider, in Matthew 24:37-38, where Jesus likens the end of the world to the coming of the great flood of Noah’s time. If Jesus considered the great flood to be historical, who are we to argue with Him? And why believe what He says about heaven and salvation, only to question His understanding of human history?
Third, the inspired New Testament writers treat the great flood as being literal. In the section commonly referred to as “The Hall of Fame of Faith,” Noah is listed among other historical figures and the flood is referenced as being literal (Hebrews 11:7). Peter speaks of Noah and the flood as being historical in both of his epistles. In 1 Peter 3:20-21, Peter likens baptism to the flood events. In 2 Peter 2:5, Peter uses the flood as an example of God’s righteous judgment on the ungodly.
If the great flood did not happen as the Bible describes, it would throw the legitimacy of these writers, Jesus Himself, and the Bible as a whole into question.
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Alleged Contradictions in the Flood Account is part of an ongoing series of lessons answering common attacks against the Bible:
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In our 2023 seminar, Christians Can Be Confident About Creation, Dr. Jeff Miller presents evidence often overlooked by secular scientists, along with compelling arguments for a young Earth, creation by an intelligent Designer, and the results of a global flood, which reflect what we observe in our planet's features today.
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