Is My Local Flood View HERESY?!? 

A few months ago, an ex-student of mine reached out to me. We reestablished a rapport, and after a short while she asked me about my faith, and expressed an interest, and a desire to know the Lord. As you can probably imagine, I was more than happy to share with her. However, she has also recently shared the conflict that she is experiencing and the difficulty that she sees in trying to reconcile her faith and science. I shared your videos with her, along with some other resources, and assured her that science and faith can indeed coexist to the glory of God and that we don’t have to choose between one or the other. Thanks again for your ministry and the work that you do. You are a continual blessing to me and to many others. May the Lord continue to bless you and strengthen you in your ministry.

I’m concerned people don’t understand the severity of calling someone a heretic.

The idea that Gavin Ortlund could be lumped into the category of "progressive Christian" is simply laughable. Gavin is always a champion of having a biblically grounded foundation..... Megan Basham's response to Gavin really takes the cake. Unreal.

I love how every second video released by Gavin is a response to criticism lol Everyone wants a piece of Ortlund

As a newer Christian, it's just so strange to me seeing this level of backlash towards these more in-house issues (like the flood or the age of the earth).. but then nowhere NEAR that same level of zeal from these same Christians in confronting ACTUAL unquestionable heresies like unitarianism, etc.

Anyone who when they disagree lowers their argument to personal attacks immediately destroys their own credibility. If they believe their position is correct, argue on the merits and facts. Childish name calling just makes them look petty.

Gavin: I had never heard of this view before. But as you presented it, I went from "NO" to "I'm listening". Thanks for all you do!

Thank you for posting this - it is hugely encouraging. I have often felt guilty for not taking the flood story as global because it felt like I was doubting inerrancy. But to know that many learned and conservative Christians believe the same means I am not swimming alone.

😮Gavin is an absolutely incredible spokesman for Christianity. Thoughtful, well-researched, mature, and longsuffering. Most importantly, the health of the faith is his highest concern. Well done here!

People on Twitter were not charitable in their responses to your video???? I'm SHOCKED 😲 😅 Seriously, I appreciate your grace in the face of all the ad hominem attacks. Thank you for this video.

I really think some of the confusion around inerrancy stems from critiques like the one Megan launched. Your whole point is that Genesis doesn't teach a global flood, not that it does and instead we should reject its teaching for a local flood. I've never understood why this was hard for people to get

I was disheartened by Basham and Zeisloft’s response. I am always inspired by your continued charity and ability to interact with it honestly and with sincere grace.

Hey Gavin, I stayed with you right to the end. I’m so thankful for this discussion. It’s really helping me. I’m a “good faith onlooker” as you said. Thanks.

Thank you for creating respectful, productive conversation around these fascinating and at times contentious topics. Very grateful for your channel and the brave work you do.

Although, I still believe in the global flood. You have humbled me to not be dogmatic about my personal and human interpretation of Scripture. Thank you for doing this video

Ok, good faith dessenter here. I have two concerns with this video (and a lot of agreement which I won't go in to): 1. The critical backlash you are getting from conservatives about 'did God really say' is a bit cynical and I agree that it's overstepping. However, the main issue is not ' you must believe my literal interpretation or you are a compromising liberal.' the main issue is: could a liberal critic use your logic to poke further holes in the text with regard to the gospel? For example, if exaggerated language is common, how do we know that the disciples meant anything modern when they said they 'saw' Jesus risen in His body? How do we know that Jesus meant that He wanted to save literally any willing person and literally for eternity? How do we know that the communicators of the NT meant anything modern about life beyond this one? This is what you should respond to when trying to desect legitimate varying views of the flood. You cannot merely assert 'well the cross is different.' you have to strengthen and harmonize the language especially when it appears similar to the exaggerated idioms you mention. 2. Your treatment of 2 Peter is appreciated but it needs more work. For example, you pointed out that Peter used the word 'world' when referring to wicked mankind. However, what about the verse right before the flood? 2 Peter 3:5-6 CSB They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water. [6] Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded. Are you suggesting that Peter did not believe that Gen 1 was talking about the whole literal planet? Because that seems to be the immediate context for his parallel to the flood. Additionally, Peter grounds his view of the destruction of the world by fire with the flood: 2 Peter 3:7,10 CSB By the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. [10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. What did Peter mean by this in light of a local flood? Please respond and thanks

I am very happy you decided to post about this. I am of the belief that the flood was local, my wife tends to be on the whole earth flood. We both enjoyed your video because of how carefully and respectfully you handle these topics. You single handedly convinced me not to jump into Catholicism against me wife’s wishes because of certain arguments and concerns you have posted about. All in all I’m sorry for all of the pushback, but I’m very happy about you posting these informative and respectful videos.

Found this very helpful - thank you. I have an MA in theology and teach quite a bit in broadly Reformed Charismatic circles, and I’d never come across this view so well explained and argued. I’m much better for it! God bless and thanks for your ministry. Seb, North Yorkshire, UK

This video is a great example why I subscribe to this channel. I often disagree with the Gavin. In fact his arguments helped lead me to the Catholic Church. But despite not agreeing I respect that he always presents well thought out, researched, and reasoned arguments. As one who fell into trappings of young earth creationism I truly hope and pray God will lift the vail from the eyes of those holding the belief. Especially those who feel believing in young earth creationism is a required dogma of the faith. The truth will always set us free.

I'm an Indonesian, and though I still believe Noah's flood reached here, I know this issue is not a communion breaker. Local flood proponents are not heretics

God bless you, sir. I am learning so much from you, and your faith in Our Savior Jesus Christ is obvious in your work. Since joining your channel, I’ve been reading my bible more, praying daily, and studying church history. The Holy Spirit is at work, and I feel closer to Our Lord. I am struggling to find a church, but I know He will lead me. Thank you Dr. Ortlund for all of your videos, especially the devotional and sermon based content. May the Lord continue to guide you and protect you ❤🙏

Being raised in a pentecostal church and school, its unfortunately the same way with dispensationalism. If you even talk or preach on anything other than pre trib rapture they lose it and call you names, yet its okay for them to to teach dispensationalism. Keep up the good work Dr. Ortlund love your channel

We need to not be so rash in our judgments towards other's opinions on the more minor issues of scripture. Whether someone believes in a global or local flood is not going to effect their salvation or flow into major theological issues. There is a lot in the bible that I am not 100% sure about, but I'll find out in heaven.

Excellent work Gavin. You are much kinder and gentler than I could ever be in your situation. I admire your humility and the pastoral heart that emanates from you in every one of your RU-vid videos. I have benefited greatly from them. Because of you I have a better understanding of some of the positions my brothers and sisters in Christ hold. It precisely your earnestness, gentleness, humility, and intelligence that have attracted me to your material. Keep up the good work. You are a wonderful representative of what it is to be a a Christian. I thank God for you and that you have chosen to put yourself in a position to have a wider audience. The world needs to see Christians who are as intelligent as you and behave in the godly way that you do. Well done brother!

I think you're doing incredible work Dr. Keep it up! I can't thank you enough. You've helped me immensely in my journey towards Christ.

Gavin, with al due respect, I don't think you really grasp the weight of the objection "why didn't Noah just move?" Noah had to build the ark, which would take a huge amount of time regardless of if you take the 100 years literal or not. In that time, he could have made it even to the southern most point of Africa (and back for that matter). Also if God had to send the animals to the ark, why not to safe land where the flood would not reach? In fact, there are only a hand-full of animal species that live exclusively in the Middle-East, so most of the species didn't need to be on the ark in the first place! Lastly, birds fly great distances all the time, so whats the deal with them? Why do they have to be on the ark? They don't need to be rescued from a local flood. I understand that local doesn't mean small, but in order to account for these objections the flood had to be so large that you might as well say it was global. Sure, you could say that it technically didn't have to cover the America's, but what do you gain with that? So we're left with two options, either you have to conclude that there is no obvious reason why Noah would have to build an ark and take 2 animals of every kind on board instead of moving, eventhough it was for a hand-full of animal species anyway, or say that Noah had to build the ark, because that was the only way to escape the disaster.

Regarding 2 Peter 3, the globalness of the flood is not only indicated by the word "world", which you rightly point out can mean different things, but also the fact that the flood is associated with the creation and final destruction of the world; two other global events.

I applaud your response and video. Very thankful to God for you and I pray you continue to “unite” us around the issues that matter. I myself haven’t been married to either a local or global flood view. What matters to me is a flood happened that was massive enough to be used as God’s judgement on sinful ppl. Praying that we all learn how to have healthy debate about this without demonizing one another. It’s sad that those are the comments you received

Thanks Gavin for bringing the focus back on the gospel at the end of the video. Keep persevering with your channel which has been a tremendous resource for me, and do not be discouraged. I think what is happening nowadays is that many conservative Christians are feeling a genuine threat from liberalism affecting our lives, families, schools etc. As such, there is a state of hypervigilence, figuratively speaking "swords are drawn". This leads to people being over defensive and overreactions such as labelling anyone who doesn't agree with all of their beliefs as a heretic, or the weaponizing of inerrancy of Scripture as a kind of catch-all argument against any differing viewpoint, or prematurely concluding that any argument that appeals to being loving (or to science) is a liberal lie. It also reveals how poorly the church has done in the area of teaching how to read or study the bible and church history as well. Many simply take at face value what they are taught from the pulpit. Combine that with the echo chambers of social media, noone can hear each other anymore. Taking a step back and reminding us of the gospel really helped.

Thanks, Gavin! Great encouragement to enter the conversation on important matters with love and charity.

I'm a Charismatic Evangelical Christian who also believes in a local flood. I'm also a theistic evolutionist who believes in a literal Adam and Eve. I love your channel because it shows me there are other Christians like me. I believe the essential doctrine of the faith; - Yahweh God is a Trinity, one God in three persons that are The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Each person is indivisible yet share one essence. Each person is 100% God, not 1/3 God. - Jesus is Yahweh God manifested in the flesh. - Jesus died on a cross paying our sin debt in full. - God the Father physically raised Jesus from the dead for our justification - Salvation is a free gift received by grace through faith in Jesus. We are saved through trusting in Jesus for salvation. - Jesus will physically return

I started reading Bavinck a little while back and he’s been so encouraging to me! Just enough outside our modern bubble that I can still understand him and yet providing perspective I never received in the current evangelical world.

Wonderful video, thoughtful thorough treatment of the topic. I pray you stay encouraged as you pursue issues like this Dr. Ortlund. Many people are grateful for the time, energy, and knowledge you share. It’s incredible that some people actually attribute negative motives to you. I can’t help but wonder whether they even watched your earlier video, or have seen anything else you’ve produced. Your expertise; ability to research and summarize; and concern for truth, fellowship, and integrity are plain. I loved your point in this video about Christian’s not making the faith look foolish on account of their own foolishness. I share your burden about this issue. The truth and beauty of God shouldn’t be obscured for lack of understanding or humility on our part; in fact, it’s our purpose to glorify God by displaying the truth about Him. The historical survey of views you provided was also eye opening for me. You’re right that so much is unknown, even about relatively recent history. We need more people contextualizing controversial topics so that everyone can know the lay of the land. Thanks again for all your work.

So appreciate you, Gavin…..just started in a 9 week study at my church, Grace Church , Greenville SC, on Genesis 1-12. You are dovetailing so well with our study with regard to the context of the culture at the time Genesis would ha been written…..very encouraging and eye opening to my faith journey . Humility is so lacking when fear dominates. Thank you for truthing with love AND humility.

I think Gavin is wrong about the local flood interpretation, but I think the issue of how we treat people with whom we disagree has more immediate practical importance than the local vs. global flood issue. The urge to assess the motives of others is a temptation that we must fight against. I don’t even trust my assessment of my own deepest motives, so how unwise must it be for me to assess the motives of others. I also think theological triage is hard and we need to think carefully about it. I recommend people watch (or rewatch) Gavin’s video from a year ago called “Theological Triage: Why It Matters” where he explains a four-tiered ranking system approach to triage, and ask yourself which of the four ranks you would assign to the local vs. global flood issue. If it’s an issue of heresy vs. orthodoxy then it’s in rank 1, which would mean it’s of similar importance to the deity of Christ. Does anyone really want to say that? If so, I would be interested to understand your reasoning. Finally I would say that major young-earth creationist organizations (like AiG and CMI) repeatedly state that one can hold wrong beliefs about these issues and still be saved, and that there are other doctrines such as the resurrection that are more important. If you make the global vs local flood views an issue of orthodoxy vs. heresy you are stepping outside the mainstream of YEC views.

Taking this sort of contextualised and sober interpretation of creation and the flood actually made me become Christian (well, more or less, obviously Christ himself had a LARGE role 😂). When I first started looking into Christianity I basically took everything as metaphorical because I just didn’t see how this sort of stuff (creation in 6 days especially) could have actually happened, so I just assumed that the rest of the bible couldn’t be true, or at least couldn’t be literal . But when I found videos explaining how the first few chapters of Genesis have always had a wide range of interpretations, I then started to actually believe in Christ because these strange and ad hoc theories (the ones mentioned in the video and others about creation) weren’t packaged with it.

Your point that people are so concerned about liberalism without realizing what pressures their own subculture may be instituting is so relevant to the church’s issues today. I stumbled upon your channel a couple months ago. While I struggle with chunks of reformed theology, I appreciate your humility and approach to these topics. The literal approach to the Bible without concern for its context or literary style is very much a stumbling block and you are doing good and important work in the way you address these issues. I’m also thankful anytime someone mentions Dr. Heiser’s work as it as been so helpful in understanding the Biblical authors point of view

I do not agree with you but you are not a heretic.

Your videos has been a great blessing for me. They have encouraged me to read and learn more about all topics related.

Such a good job, brother. Thank you for your hard work and thoughtfulness on this and other issues, and especially for the manner in which you approach them. When I am tempted to despair over the state of online Christian discourse and divisiveness, videos like these are a great comfort. Keep up the good work!

Man, watching the whole video made WWUT’s tweet sound so silly. Can’t wait to laugh with brothers and sisters about this stuff when we’re in glory and everything is cleared up. But in the meantime I do hope more Christians can repent on this subject. I’m saddened by an instance I think I presented a stumbling block to friend when I believed in a young earth.

hey gavin. just watched this video together with your original video on your views on the flood story. and i just felt the need to offer some encouragement, for i can only imagine the grief you felt when you were being accused a heretic. i've been watching your videos, and above all the helpful content, i've been blessed by how charitable you are in responding to criticism (especially ones unwarranted and seemingly baseless). for that, i praise god for his work in you, through you, and in your ministry on truth unites. may we all humble our hearts to his word, and in love for one another as we grow to maturity in christ jesus. thanks for the videos! i thoroughly enjoy them!

the creation of the world is a miracle...the salvation of our very own soul....also a miracle. can we fully understand it? no. we trust it. we must trust it.

I watched the whole video and i think the exampel tweets you showed at the end and your 'caricatures' of them made strong points and were done not with contempt but with good amounts of compassion. You being abel to respond with a humble and tender heart to criticism that can be verry vitriolic is one of the greatest gifts God has given you Gavin. Praise be God.

Gavin, thank you so much for talking about these controversial topics. They are controversial but also very important. These videos will help so many people!

My husband thinks in a very similar way to you on a lot of these topics. He has forced my brain to be open to really thinking about scripture and what it truly says and not what I have been told as someone raised in Christianity.

I so appreciate your heart in addressing this specifically and theological triage in general. I LOVE hearing these other explanations and how they appeared throughout church history. I don't know where I stand on this specific question (but frankly, at the moment, I don't think I care to decide), but you've opened my eyes to a greater realm of scholarly minds offering differing opinions. (Here and in many of your videos) I wish more people held that kind of attitude -- it's important, it can be super interesting, but it is NOT vital for all of us to freak out over or take an official stance on, and all the time and energy involved in thoroughly studying in order to do so.

Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter:3:6-7

Gavin, God bless you for your kind heart. The video was so pleasant to watch. I still do not completely agree with you on this point, as I have some questions. But I can totally understand your perspective and really appreciate the loving and peaceful way that you try to present this information with. It will certainly be of much help to many.

I just have to say, Gavin, your setup is so beautiful! The backdrop and lighting is so warm and cinematic.

I think it's really important to let the text speak for itself, whatever it may be saying. I personally think it's unwise to try to tie that in too early to what extra-biblical evidence may inform us about what things actually happened. We may then be forcing the biblical author to say something he or she isn't saying. This seems to be a point of difference in the approach I'd lean to and the approach Dr. Ortlund is using. When I read the text for itself, I can just see two possible understandings that are reasonable and consistent. One is that the Genesis author believes and is teaching a universal flood, and it seems almost impossible for me to reconcile this with a local flood. The other is what I understand to be the mytho-history view of WL Craig, where (in my understanding, haven't read from Dr Craig on this) the author (and the Holy Spirit) are teaching true things to the audience, but is using a type of literature that need not be describing events as they actually happened, and incorporates a lot of allegory. In that case the important thing is what the flood teaches us, and the historical reality of even a local flood would I think only circumstantially be related to the text. I think trying to argue that the text literally teaches a local flood is really hard. It makes the account somewhat nonsensical. How does a local flood accomplish God's purpose to wipe from the earth people, animals and birds because he regrets he made them? (Gen 6:7) The purpose of the ark was to keep the various kinds of animals alive throughout the earth (Gen 7:3). And the covenant God makes in chapter 9 is with all the animals on earth. That would only work with a local flood if all the land animals at the time lived in one area only, which I've not heard suggested in arguments for a local flood. I also see a lot of parallels between the water of the flood over the whole earth and the water at the beginning of creation, such as 2 Pet 3:5-6, and where Noah and his family are told to be fruitful and multiply over the earth. And when the text says the water rose to cover high mountains, and stayed for over a year, there aren't many ways to think of that as being 'local'. I'm sure there are no places today where water could cover even a reasonably sized mountain (say 1000m above sea level) without also practically covering the whole earth. I think we need humility, and shouldn't force a particular scientific view. I don't think it's impossible to take the text to be describing a local flood, just really really difficult.

This video, and the original, were incredibly helpful and well done. Thank you. I’ve stayed away from these types of apologetic discussions because it seems like so many people seek to be pushing something (like the sufficiency of scripture being at stake, or conservative Christianity or something) rather than knowing, trusting, and believing the sufficiency of scripture and trying to figure out what scripture is saying within its own context. It’s literally basic hermeneutics 101 from Stein’s book. So thank you for the way you think and the way you approach and what you’re seeking to do with these videos. You’re a blessing to the time we’re in.

Thanks for the video, Gavin. I remember years ago reading one of Michael Heiser's books or video, whom you also quote, where he briefly argued for the local flood view. I found it convincing since I wasn't really attached to any dogmatic reading of Genesis 6 (btw the Nephilim account can be even more controversial 😂). Basically, I do not find it that important whether the flood was global or regional, and so if I am contextually inclined to agree with one over the other, I'd never consider the other position heresy. I am surprised people can get that emotional over this issue. I'd understand such kind of worries if one were to view the flood as a myth, i.e. fictional.

It is certainly an interesting topic, and I appreciate the civility and knowledge in your discussion, Gavin. How can one progress their thought if they are unwilling to entertain discussion? The reluctance to have the discussion in the first place is perhaps the main driver for some intellectuals toward atheism. It is not the orientation of the belief itself-it is the lack of conversation, and also, sometimes, the lack of cordial interaction. Good video.

Made it to the end. Thankful for your videos and learn so much from them, I had no idea the young earth creationism takeover was so recent. Thanks for all you do!

Gavin, Stayed with you to the end. You are always gracious, encouraging and Christ centered. Don’t grow weary in doing well!

I wish that more of our brothers and sisters in Christ thought like you do, Gavin. I agree on your need for theological triage, and my heart breaks when I think of all my friends who are ready to die on every single hill. They end up swinging at phantoms, and pushing everyone away in the process.

Hi Gavin, much love from Sydney! Watched your two videos together and walked away learning more about Christian humility than whether the flood was global (not to downplay your efforts, your case is persuasive and I'd like to keep thinking about it!) I'm so sorry that you went through another Twitter war (teary as I type)! Our Lord never said that the world will know that we are His disciples if we cancel each other on Twitter. I guess with pastor Begg's recent controversy as well, I'm beginning to think harder about what godly disagreement looks like. I believe that how we disagree in the Body shows our love for one other more so than when we agree with one other all the time, because it is when we disagree that our godliness is put to the test. This is a very pastoral video for me. You often use the phrase 'irenic approach', and I'm beginning to understand what it looks like. I'm resolved to use more humble speech to evangelise to my university friends. P.S. Excited that you're doing more online ministry! Your videos increased my gospel assurance, and I aspire to be a Protestant who loves church history! Again, lots and lots of love and support from Sydney!

I was reading my son’s recent book report on some of the pilgrims and it brought this video back to my mind. In his reading, the phrase, “new world” kept occurring and he kept mentioning this in conversation about his book report. To think that the local flood view would be heresy based on the usage of world being a regionally used word is not far stretched. The people in the time of the pilgrims viewed what is now America as “a whole new world”. While not used in the exact same sense, it is a striking similarity. For them, the world was the region they knew of, the region they lived in. For us, we know the world as the planet because we can view images of earth from satellites. Even the best maps at the time were drawn from the perspective of high-points on earth. Their understanding was limited to what they at the time. Just as is ours. So no, this idea is not far stretched or “Heresy”. It is plausible.

I finally made it to the end. I don’t think we should get into fights over this issue, because it is not a salvation issue. However, my fear is that this is a slippery slope into not believing the Bible as historically accurate.

Rev. Ortlund, thank you for this and your initial video. I personally believe the Bible sets forth the account of a global flood, but I am certainly open to being mistaken. I do not see the local flood view as a heretical stance unless, of course, it is the result of a low view of scripture, which you do not have. May God bless you.

I’ve learned that for most Christians “heresy” simply means you disagree with what my pastor said.

I am consistently referring people to your videos to help them learn how to think about these kinds of issues, regardless of where they land, and how to have these types of conversations with charity. Well done.

Appreciate your heart behind these videos and providing insight on both sides of any particular issue.

I so appreciated your teaching on local flood questions.

Gavin, if you read this, please make clear whether you believe all people on earth at the time of the flood were living in the Mesopotamian region, or if you believe people were living outside the area you claim the flood occurred in.

If Gavin is right, no need to consider how the nephilum survived the flood. “Caesar sent out a decree that the whole world should be taxed”

Hey Gavin! Thanks so much for this video. I just read Heiser’s approach to the flood in his Unseen Realm. Do you have any advice for young believers (or young church leaders) as they navigate this issue with older believers who take strong global flood positions on this issue? I currently work as a youth and college pastor (and hope to serve my church until i die or am called elsewhere). Any advice for how to encourage our other pastors (and elders) to be more open to local flood views? I have so much respect for these men and do not want to undermine their authority. Yet, I want to be faithful to the word and remove all stumbling blocks that would trip up our students. Thinking about compiling my thoughts and writing a paper… But I don’t want to present it to our leaders until I have met with our head pastor on this issue to establish a dynamic of peace and partnership.

It was a great video. We need to take seriously scripture in its context. Scripture should challenge us and genesis is a mystery. Don't be discouraged. Its videos like your flood video, (specifically those from someone like IP) that helped take my faith seriously in an intellectual way.

Thank you for following up on this more. For the record, I don’t think this perspective makes you a heretic, though that doesn’t mean that the disagreements aren’t worth having. I’m sorry for how you were mistreated on Twitter, I hope that going forward more discussions like this can focus on the text of Scripture rather than imagining motives for people and calling names. I personally think there are some very important reasons from the text why a local flood won’t work, and I think that nothing bad can come of Christians discussing and examining Scripture as it might if we are distracted with motives and titles. You have drawn a parallel a few times between this conversation and geocentricism as an example, but it doesn’t quite work. Unlike geocentricism, and the verses you cite that have been used to support it, the flood is connected to sin, punishment, covenant, and promise. Specifically. It’s not just language of a simile being used to describe the unchanging nature of God or His glory, the flood is a singular historical event that was in response to, and affected those areas and creatures which have been affected (in a specific way) by sin. A curse on the whole earth. God’s punishment for the whole earth. Subsequently God’s covenant with the whole earth, and the promise that is given to the whole earth. I hope at some point you can engage with the final video I made on the topic, because I would like you to evaluate that a local flood means a local curse/punishment/covenant/promise. That the things promised to creation in Genesis 9 are specifically promised to those which were on the ark, and if you take your position of a local flood, you aren’t just talking about an untethered historical event, but rather the locality has to be applied to the reason for the flood and everything given after it. Geocentricism doesn’t have that problem. Even not for a video, but for your own study, it couldn’t hurt to take some quiet time to pray, and then go verse by verse through Genesis 6 and 9 in particular, and for each verse ask “What are the theological ramifications if this means local? Global?” For me it was a massive benefit and provided a lot of clarity and certainty on this issue that I frankly didn’t have before you challenged it. God’s blessings to you!

You're more gracious than I am. There are a lot of modern day Pharisees out there. More people need to learn (be willing?) to think critically. I appreciate your channel!

Christians love love LOVE to make mountains out of mole hills. If it's not this, it's about the length of creation days or the timing of the rapture. Peripheral subjects just have to be more important so the arguer can try to prove they are right about something and call someone else a heretic. All comes back to pride. I've always wondered about the flood and I enjoyed your thoughts. It doesn't make God any less amazing or powerful. Genesis is not about how as much as it's about Who.

I watched it and didn't have any issues with it

Right here with you Gavin! Keep up the amazing work. The Holy Spirit is working through you!

I appreciate this thoughtful presentation. The idea that it has to be “either” “or” and that we can’t have reasonable discussion on subjects like this became a stumbling block for me. GOD equipped humans with the ability to reason. Someone said “when GOD saves our soul, changes our heart, HE does not cut off our heads”.

Love your flood videos! Your content always makes me want to dive deeper into subjects that I haven’t given as much thought to!

Thank you ! Thank you! Thank you!

I really appreciate this and your former video. Before I became a christian I didn't really think about the flood or young earth creationism. My dad who was a nominal believer was a theistic evolutionist. I did my bachelors degree in psychology then a few years later I became a christian and started serious study eventually doing a masters in biblical theology. Most in my little corner of the church the CC/CoC are young earthers ie Henry Morris / Ken Ham while I have moved in the local flood interpretation. I'm heavy on context within the historical period.

Gavin, what do you think of the creation narrative as a polemic to ancient competitors? Egypt and Babylon (exile edits) specifically.

Honest question, what do you make of 2 Peter 3:5-6?

These last two videos on the flood have been some of your best yet. They are so important to people within conservative evangelicalism like myself who hold these views. Very thankful for your work, keep it up.

Man I freaking lpve your takes. I've not watched all of your videos but each of them that I watched clears a doubt in my mind. Please do a take on slavery in the old testament, I'm getting bugged by that

Well done Gavin. I too have wrestled with this and other creation topics for decades. Do you assign a particular genre to Genesis 1-11 other than historical narrative?

I’m just starting the video, but I do find one point troubling. Dr. Ortlund has some quotes where scholars are saying “whole earth” can be unspecific (and I agree); but some of the scholars seem to be disregarding inerrancy. Here’s how I’m thinking about it: If the author of Genesis was trying to communicate that the flood was absolutely universal, but was wrong because he had an incorrect cosmology, that’s an error, no way around it. I know that’s not what Dr. Ortlund is arguing (he’s just saying the language can be unspecific to absolute extent), but some of the scholars seem to be just accepting error. I get that there are people far more liberal than this, so by comparison this would be very conservative. But I think that might be too strong a term if they’re functionally rejecting inerrancy.

Thanks Gavin. You put your arguments forward very well.

I love you dude! You have done the work! You have been biblical and scholarly! Thank you!

Question: is there any archeological support for a flood that is found in Mesopotamia snd not found elsewhere? (ie, archeological suppprt for a **local** flood) I believe the answer is no, but i thought I'd check.

Praise God for such a perspective.

This was interesting but I'd very much like to hear your response to Christian Combative's 20 min video discussing several serious theological issues with the local flood view. I think he makes some very good Biblical points about the problem of covenants and the relationship the flood has with God's covenants.

I may disagree with you on this and YEC. But I disagree with the dogmatism AIG has encouraged on this even more.

Do you have any videos on replacement theology, and what is your view on it. Also, where do you stand on the whole premillenial view

Just a couple questions regarding the regional flood view: 1) If we grant that the term universal flood better refers to the extent of human civilization familiar to the author of Genesis were there human civilization outside of the region he was not familiar with that was not flooded and how does that relate to the doctrine of original sin? 2) if it is asserted that the flood was “local” and not “worldwide” how does that explain the evidence of fossil fuels outside of that region and how would it have formed otherwise? Thanks!

Not heresy but it is an error!

Thank you, Gavin

Great video! Super helpful reminder at the end on the importance of triage! Thank you brother

Hugely helpful & a confirmation of my own thought on the matter over many years.

Technically Heresy is rejecting a tenet of the Creeds. The Flood isn’t a creedal issue. So it’s heterodoxy at worst if it is indeed wrong.

I don't usually comment, but I just have to say how much I appreciate your videos on this topic. It is seriously such a blessing, and the wisdom and charity that you are handling it with is honoring to Christ. I was leaning in the direction of a local flood before these videos, but unsure about some things, but you have cleared up many questions and convinced me of a local flood. Thank you for your work and your eagerness to tackle controversial topics, even when you know you'll get some unwarranted criticism! Grateful for your ministry

Gavin, The flood narrative has been the single biggest question mark of biblical interpretation for me And I'm a seminary trained pastor. The historical perspectives that you give are so revealing to me because it's clear that we get caught up in our current cultural narratives. We don't understand Our own biases one way or another and getting that wider view from around the world and throughout time helps us get a clearer view of our own perspectives.

If one thinks believing the flood was local is heresy, their interpretation of scripture has become an idol.