?? about Noah's Ark

[RedTulipMom]

Hi brothers and sisters in Christ,
Over in the general apologetics forum they are discussing Noahs Ark which got me to thinking...what does the Catholic church teach about Noahs Ark?? I am not sure!! I spent 12 yrs as a protestant and less than 2 yrs ago reverted back to the Catholic church and there are still things that come up I am not sure about. Some of my protestant beliefs are still lingering and it takes time to straighten it all out. Anyways is there anything in the CC about Noahs Ark?? if so could you give me the pages? If not, any links to websited that explain what Catholics believe about the Noahs Ark story? Do we believe it is to be taken literally? If not, if its an allegory then what are we to learn from it?? thanks for your help!!

karen

 

[Irenaeus]

Karen,

May I make a comment along the lines of what you are saying?

The Catholic Church does not, and never has proclaimed to have, a "teaching" on everything. Sometimes the beliefs are left up to personal conscience or study, as long as they do not deny dogmas of faith and the commandments.

One such belief is where unbaptised infants go where they die. The Catechism says we entrust them to the mercy of God, but some may still hold that they go to a children's limbo.

When I was a Protestant, "Infallible" to me, meant almost, "All-Encompassing" as if the Church had an error-free comment or teaching on everything. This is not true, of course.

I'm not saying that you believe that, just that there may be a tendency.

There isn't an official teaching on Noah's Ark. I suppose you may take the position of almost anyone...again, if it does not violate the established dogma's of faith.

 

[RedTulipMom]

So if i choose to believe that the Noahs ark story is an allegory thats perfectly acceptable??

karen

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

I don't think so, I think the Bible is pretty clear that this story really did happen. There really was a man named Noah, and his family really where saved from (I believe) a world wide flood.

 

[Maggie893]

If you go back to the early Church fathers you will find a very common belief in a worldwide flood as described in Genesis. As has been stated, there is no formal Church decree however there is consistency in agreement that it did occur.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Check out this site:

http://www.robibrad.demon.co.uk/Chapter6.htm

 

[RedTulipMom]

Jeffrey,
Wow thanks for that link!! Very interesting stuff!

Thanks to everyone who responded!

karen

 

[Spotty]

So long as you don't disagree with me then you'll be fine.

 

[andy153]

Hi brothers and sisters in Christ,
Over in the general apologetics forum they are discussing Noahs Ark which got me to thinking...what does the Catholic church teach about Noahs Ark?? I am not sure!! I spent 12 yrs as a protestant and less than 2 yrs ago reverted back to the Catholic church and there are still things that come up I am not sure about. Some of my protestant beliefs are still lingering and it takes time to straighten it all out. Anyways is there anything in the CC about Noahs Ark?? if so could you give me the pages? If not, any links to websited that explain what Catholics believe about the Noahs Ark story? Do we believe it is to be taken literally? If not, if its an allegory then what are we to learn from it?? thanks for your help!!

karen

Noah's Ark ? I believe it to be a literal event with a symbolic meaning.

Noah was was saved by the tree, the nail and the blood the same as you and I

Andy153