What do you believe about Noah?

Question

I was surprised recently when I realized that many Christians here don’t believe as I do: that every word in the Bible isn’t history, but some parts are mythology. If I say that, I don’t mean that God can’t do miracles. I know they happened back then, and still happen today. I just don’t think the stories of Noah and Jonah are history. They are more like the parables Jesus told: allegories which help us grasp something about God.

Also, when I say that, I don’t mean to say that I deny the resurrection or see that as mythology. I think it’s central to the Christian message and know that it was possible, however much the thought is mocked by non-Christians. Especially after experiencing a miracle myself I have no doubt about what God can do.

I just think Christians should be able to make mind shifts. If you don’t still believe exactly what you have been taught in Sunday school 30 years ago, does it mean you are sinning? Aren’t we allowed to use our minds?

Answer 1

Yes, Noah was a historical figure. The flood is also true but it was just a local event. Jewish writers used a literary device to dramatize stories in the Bible.

There are many accounts in the Bible, which employ a literary device used by Jewish Old and New Testament writers called Midrash. Midrash is the substantive of the Hebrew word darash which means to search, to investigate, to study and, also, to expound on the fruits of the research. The aim of Midrash is to draw from Scripture a lesson for the present.

Midrash could also be defined as a "reflection on Scripture in the light of the actual situation of God's people and of the developments of God's action on its history." It proposes to explain the meaning of Scripture in the light of the later historical experience of God's people. This kind of interpretation often opened the door to embellishments of the sacred accounts, anachronisms, and a freedom in handling and maneuvering the data of tradition that were at times a little too candid and certainly very imaginative.

Peace and blessings!

Answer 2

Yes I believe the Bible is not mythical at all,in (Matthew24:36-39) Jesus said, that just as the days of Noah were, so will the days of the presence of the son of man be,Jesus here pointed to a literal time, that would be a paralel to our time.Jesus does not lie, just as his heavenly Father does not lie, nor would He put a myth in his Word the Bible.
Parts of the ark have been found on mount Ararat, there is evidence all over the earth that a Global flood did occur.
Lion of Juday answered your question already in good detail so I will not go into these details again No, the account of Noah is not mythical, it is real history, the Bible says, in (2Timothy 3:16) ALL SCRIPTURE, is inspired, of God, so, the Bible is true, and the things that it tells us can be relied upon, this has been shown by many things it speaks of, that have been verified, even though people have in the past said that some of the things in it were not real occurrances, those attacked occurrances, have been shown to be true, by the archeologists finding evidence, that backs up the Bible.

Answer 3

It's right to check if what we are learning from the Bible is true or not, a point that Paul himself makes (1 Corinthians 15:29-32). But flood story is a true event that happened, not just a parable, and that can be seen at 2 Peter 3:3-7.
The Bible is clear about when Jesus was speaking in parables, opposed to when he was stating facts. It would say something like-
'Jesus again spoke to them with illustrations, saying ''The kingdom of the heavens has become like...'' (Matthew 22:1-2).



2 Peter 3:3-7
3 For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.”
5 For, according to their wish, this fact escapes their notice, that there were heavens from of old and an earth standing compactly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; 6 and by those [means] the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water. 7 But by the same word the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men.

Answer 4

I believe everything the Bible says about Noah, Jonah and everyone else. I don't consider them parables (stories) like those Jesus told. They ARE history.

I remember what I was taught in my Catechism classes years ago and it is the same today as it was then. The only way that my mind has shifted is that I am more appreciative of my childhood teachings and embrace even more the teachings in my adult years. I understand more than I did then.

No, you aren't sinning if your mind shifts. It means you are thinking. As long as you remember that Jesus is your Lord and Savior and you don't waver in that, you'll be alright.

Answer 5

Matthew 24:37-39"for just as the day of noah were,So the presence of the man will be..... people on those day, before the flood eating and drinking(party), men marrying and women being given into marriage... and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the son of man(Jesus) will be.
You know, I truely Believe that, what happen in the time of noah has great meaning for us today!

And as human being we should use our mind, "in a proper way" according to Gods wisdom!And we also,should trust God with all our heart, Mind, soul.

Answer 6

I believe the account of Noah as it is written because Jesus himself believed it. He spoke of it as an historical event. If he accepts the historicity of the account, should I not do the same?

Not only did Jesus believe it and teach about it, he was an eyewitness, having been in heaven as a heavenly person at the time it occurred. He also taught concerning the gravity of it, having used it in his warning concerning the time of his Presence.

Considering all of the above, I would be foolish as a professed Christian, to reject the historicity of the event.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 7

I believe in the literal truth of the Bible, but you do not actually have to believe everything in the Bible to be Christian. The minimum is John 3:16.

You can use your mind. God gave you your intellect for you to use it. Just do not rely on it alone. Ask Holy Spirit to guide you. Always seek the truth. The truth is the same no matter what is your human opinion about it.

Jesus died for your sins, all of them.

Answer 8

You are creating your own world of struggle. Don't go too crazy and over analyze what you hear or read. Traditionally, Fundamentalists believe what is written in the Bible is through God's breath and is true. You have to make the choice that you either believe it or not. You aren't sinning if you don't believe everything. Just remember, God is merciful and loving, and as long as you believe in Him and have accepted His Son as your Lord and Savior, you are on solid ground.

Answer 9

Noah represents the explanation of why there are certain species on the earth now and not others. When the bible authors saw fossil remains, they had to explain them. These were all the animals that did not get taken into the ark, and therefore perished.

Answer 10

Think about Noah for a minute. Of course it's mythology. You keep using your mind. Other Christians won't like it. But keep your independent thought as long as possible.