Joel M Bradshaw

17The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. 19And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. 20The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. 21And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. 22Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. 23He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark.24And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days.–Genesis 7

Genesis 7 is one of those texts that illustrate what we really think of the Bible. Here are 5 responses.

1. THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE. Do you believe God rose Jesus from the dead? THAT was impossible. Large waters flood all the time. This just took a majestic amount of water. If you believe in the Easter story then you can believe this.
2. THIS SIMPLY DIDN’T HAPPEN. Jesus read and understood Genesis and believed it to be true. He once spoke of the days of Noah and the flood (Matthew 24:37; Luke 17:26). I don’t intend to gaslight, but if Jesus assumed Genesis to be true, then is your understanding more nuanced than his?
3. I TREAT THE BIBLE LIKE A MENU. Some might pick and choose what sections of the Bible the like or don’t like, believe or don’t believe. Heresies begin this way, my friends.
4. YEAH, BUT. This person doesn’t do 1-3, but definitely doesn’t do 5. This is the secret doubter. The Yeah, But doesn’t commit. The Yeah, But doesn’t fully trust. Doubt wins over faith with this person.
5. ALL IN. This person trust God even with difficult portions of Scripture. The God who is truthful and trustworthy authored the Bible which presents that trustworthy truth. It disrespects God the Holy Spirit if we only trust only certain portions of the Bible he inspired and authored. How do you respond?–JMB