Le_déluge_-_musée_de_beaux_arts_de_Nantes_20091017

The Local flood theory or a limited flood theory is an interpretation of the

Genesis flood narrative The Genesis flood narrative (chapters 6–9 of the Book of Genesis) is the Hebrew version of the universal flood myth. It tells of God's decision to return the universe to its pre- creation state of watery chaos and remake it through the micr ...

, where the flood of Noah is interpreted as a local event, generally located in

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia ''Mesopotamíā''; ar, بِلَاد ٱلرَّافِدَيْن or ; syc, ܐܪܡ ܢܗܪ̈ܝܢ, or , ) is a historical region of Western Asia situated within the Tigris–Euphrates river system, in the northern part of the F ...

, instead of a global event. Some old Earth creationists reject

flood geology Flood geology (also creation geology or diluvial geology) is a pseudoscientific attempt to interpret and reconcile geological features of the Earth in accordance with a literal belief in the global flood described in Genesis 6–8. In the ...

, a position which leaves them open to accusations that they thereby reject the

infallibility Infallibility refers to an inability to be wrong. It can be applied within a specific domain, or it can be used as a more general adjective. The term has significance in both epistemology and theology, and its meaning and significance in both fi ...

of scripture (which states that the Genesis flood covered the whole of the earth). In response, old Earth creationists cite verses in the Bible where the words "whole" and "all" clearly require a contextual interpretation.

Background and history

The local flood interpretation of Noah's flood became accepted by many Christians after 19th century scientific findings. The view was defended by Charles Lyell, in his book ''Principles of Geology'' (1833), where he concluded that the Genesis flood must have been a regional affair and not a global deluge. Dr Hugh Ross has defended the local flood theory, and promoted the view in his book "Navigating Genesis". Today, Young Earth Creationist organizations such as

Answers in Genesis Answers in Genesis (AiG) is an American fundamentalist Christian apologetics parachurch organization. It advocates Young Earth creationism on the basis of its literal, historical-grammatical interpretation of the Book of Genesis and the Bibl ...

and

Institute for Creation Research The Institute for Creation Research (ICR) is a Creationist apologetics institute in Dallas, Texas, that specializes in media promotion of pseudoscientific creation science and interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative as a historical e ...

have criticized a local flood theory, as faulty exegesis.

Evidence

There exists geological evidence that a large local flood did happen in Mesapotamia, additionally extra biblical writings such as

Gilgamesh sux, , label=none , image = Hero lion Dur-Sharrukin Louvre AO19862.jpg , alt = , caption = Possible representation of Gilgamesh as Master of Animals, grasping a lion in his left arm and snake in his right hand, in an Assy ...

and the

Epic of Atrahasis ''Atra-Hasis'' ( akk, , Atra-ḫasīs) is an 18th-century BCE Akkadian epic, recorded in various versions on clay tablets, named for its protagonist, Atrahasis ('exceedingly wise'). The ''Atra-Hasis'' tablets include both a creation myth and o ...

suggest that a local flood happened in ancient Mesapotamia.

References

Flood narrative A flood myth or a deluge myth is a myth in which a great flood, usually sent by a deity or deities, destroys civilization, often in an act of divine retribution. Parallels are often drawn between the flood waters of these myths and the primaeval ...

Comparative mythology Flood myths Mesopotamian myths Noach (parashah) {{mythology-stub