Originally Posted by TheReasoner
You know AV, most people realize there was no global flood.
except true believers of the bible
The ol' No True Scotsman Fallacy.
But as a former young earth creationist, I certainly understand how a young person [just like me in my YEC days] can feel absolutely convinced that the Bible refers to a "global flood" ---even though the Bible says ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about a planet-wide flood. It is fascinating how the traditional translation choice of the word "earth" can be assumed to mean "planet earth" instead of "the ground" or "the land".
For newcomers, here it is one more time:
1) ERETZ in Genesis means "land", "country", or "region". Even today, ERETZ ISRAEL means "Land of Israel" or "Nation of Israel", never "Planet Israel."
2) "Everything under heaven" (or "everything under the sky") is a Hebrew expression that refers to everything we see in the world that is not above us.
3) ERETZ is not a modern term from astronomy that names this planet. It is the ancient Hebrew view of where we live: a circular disk of land which extends to the horizon in all directions. The "universe" to the ancient children of Israel was "land and sky" and "the earth and the heavens"---but the latter was not about astronomy and a solar system model. It was a way to describe the world upon which we live and the reality which was up above: the sun, moon, stars, comets, etc.
4) Indeed, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" uses "the heavens and the earth" virtually as an idiom for "In the beginning God created everything."
Yes, the presumption of a planet-wide flood is a great example of the Anachronism Fallacy. Just because we think of "the earth" as a huge planet hurtling through space does NOT mean that the writer of Genesis had any such concept in mind. To him, "the earth" was simply that circular disk of LAND which extended to the horizon and was covered by a dome known as "the firmament" and was part of "the heavens" (Plural: HASHAMAYIM.)
So, Frenchfrye, I certainly understand why you feel certain that Noah's flood was global and you even think that Genesis TELLS you that the flood was global. But if you read very very carefully ---especially if you read the original Hebrew Masoretic Text----you will find that there is absolutely NO indication that the Noahic Flood was planet-wide in scope. None. Zilch. Nada. But tradition is a powerful force and it held me in its sway for decades. Indeed, even now my greatest "blinder" whenever I read the Bible is my tendency to want to impose my own impressions and traditions upon what the Biblical text ACTUALLY states. It takes a lot of practice and determination to allow the text to speak for itself.
So don't feel discouraged. I was once in your shoes. Thankfully, there are many good commentaries and even Hebrew helps which can walk you through the basics of understand what the Biblical text does and DOES NOT state.
And welcome to this venue where you can have those opportunities to hear perspectives which CHALLENGE TRADITIONS.
