Most cultures do have some form of flood account. Since it was a reality, this would be expected. This includes many peoples from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Pacific Islands, Central America, South America and North America (I've seen 81 different versions from North America alone. e.g., Choctaw, Chippewa, Pawnee, Eskimo, Cherokee, Yakima, Hopi, etc.) Most have some similiarities to the actual account, though they diverge significantly as they became corrupted over the centuries; often by their animism which is frequently the belief of indigenous peoples.
The Yakima version:
The structure was 450x75x30 with 3 decks. The same cubic space as 525 rail box cars.
as a Christian I don't spend a lot of time worrying about whether the stories in the Bible are literally true of not.
It does matter if the "stories", I say accounts or narratives, in the Bible are true. If not, can you believe the parts related to salvation from sin ? Or any other parts that have significance to you ?
IMO, God's grace transcends our ability to communicate it. The stories in the Bible are an attempt. Their "truth" doesn't matter, it is the underlying message that counts.
Not from my perspective. It seems to me that the stories could have been related to teach, not to demonstrate. They could all be "parables" for all we know.
I believe they found it buried in glacial ice, which I would imagine would preserve it. Or at least slow down the decomposition.
I agree with you that the most important aspect of the accounts is usually the "underlying message". But the "truth" does matter since the Bible claims to be true. Otherwise, nothing it says can be trusted, which would reduce it to just another book.
Jesus claimed, by implication, that these "stories" were literal accounts in reference to creation, Adam and Eve, Abel, Noah and the flood, Abraham, David, Solomon, etc. As well He made more general statements about the Bible's veracity such as, "the Scriptures cannot be broken", etc. If Jesus Christ is indeed God, as He claimed, the Savior of sinners, He would know whether those accounts were true or simply parables; and since He claimed they were true they must be, or it would refute His integrity or omniscience and thus His Deity and His ability to save a sinner.
not saying you are wrong, i just see it a different way. just as i think that grace transcends our abilities to communicate, i find that also applies to my ability to understand and comprehend. i don't like to apply my understanding of "logic" to "faith". it sounds silly even when i type it, but i find that they can co-exist without too much worry. when i try to apply my "understanding" and "logic" to my "faith" i find too many rabbit holes and a tendency to make too many things want to fit in places of my own making (and i see this as a continual problem with mankind and not just me). i am at a place where i find comfort, some inspiration and hopefully not too much complacency.
As I said in my earlier post, there are numerous traditions that have a flood myth..even some that pre-date Noah's....so, if this is proven to be the vessel mentioned in those myths(which I find it hard to believe anyone can "prove" that), many traditions will find their beliefs validated.
Not to get too philosophical, but if you subscribe to the idea that nothing is objective because all facts stem from subjectivity...then, you are dead on. That is what it all comes down to.
