Debates and arguments?

My first experience with a ‘flood’ happened on the second floor of our townhouse in a complex called (no kidding) “The Summit.” It was the morning after a heavy rain. I got out of bed and when my bare feet hit the carpet, it splashed!

Turned out that the driving rain pushed in through an improperly sealed window flashing and put two inches of water on our top story bedroom floor. After ripping up the carpet, an industrial vacuum cleaner and a few fans dried up the mess.

This bit of water is nothing compared to flood losses around the world. My sister lives in a town that had water up to the roof in its downtown area and water covering the houses in one subdivision. Many Asian lands and other place are hit by monsoon rains that devastate communities, never mind the tsunamis that destroy lives and properties.

This morning I read the promise God made after the great flood in Noah’s time. He said He would never again destroy the whole earth with water and the rainbow was our sign of that promise. My thoughts went to the denials concerning this flood. Historians argue that it never happened even though many ancient cultures tell flood stories. The Bible’s veracity again is questioned. Was this a real event or not?

The flood is not the only thing that is debated. During the New Testament times, two religious groups disagreed about other things said in the Word of God. When Paul was mobbed by a crowd, he actually used this to sidetrack his accusers . . .  

Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. (Acts 23:6–8)

This debate caused division just as the flood debate does. Add to the mix the Creation story and other biblical accounts and humanity seems bent on finding reasons to doubt anything God says.

Many who believe the Word of God can produce evidence that supports its history and specific details, but that old adage comes into play: “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”

Jesus knew the main reason people rejected His Word. It was not about evidence, scientific proof, reasoning or needing to be convinced by facts. Instead, it was simply, “I will not have this man rule over me.” They didn’t want Jesus telling them what to do for the same reason they disobeyed God throughout their history. He said to them . . .

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. (Matthew 23:23)

They were interested only in appearing righteous, in having the power that went with being religious leaders. They were not interested in doing the important things that God asked of them. Debating the reality of biblical statements was a smokescreen, their attempt to cover the reality of their sinful hearts.

It is risky to say this, and perhaps not always true, but from what I see in the NT, the human heart will go to great lengths to avoid giving up sin or even admitting it exists. Arguing about the reality of the flood, the virgin birth, the dying and resurrection of the Messiah, the existence of angels, and so on, are side issues. Jesus nails the real problem:

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (John 3:17–20)

Jesus, I do not like bright light either, at least the kind that exposes the sinfulness of my heart. However, there is another kind of light that is precious. John wrote about it also:

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5–7)

The song says, “Shine Jesus shine” asking You to fill the earth with the Father’s glory, the light that transforms our lives. Thank You for faith that knows Your word is true — all of it, from that incredible flood story through OT history to the wonder of Your appearance and all NT events. Arguing is pointless.