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Why do detractors of the Bible seem to focus on the story of Noah’s ark?  Why does this one account draw more criticism and fire than nearly all other parts of the Biblical narrative combined?  What is it about the ark that puts people into such a frenzy?

A Chink in the Armor?
Some people attack the ark because they see it as a weak place in Biblical history.  If anything in the Bible is capable of being verified historically, surely a global flood would leave plenty of evidence.  If, for whatever reason, there is no evidence to support the flood narrative, then there is reason to doubt the Bible in other places when it tells of things incapable of verification using the historical method.  To those who wish to discredit the God’s word, Noah and his ark are a possible chink in the Bible’s impenetrable armor of accuracy and historical reliability. 

If there is a gap, a crack or an error in the Bible, then the book becomes much less reliable.  This is why the battle over the flood is so important.  If the Bible is what is claims to be, the recorded communication of God to mankind, then grave errors point to the Creator’s inability to clearly or fully convey truth to mankind. 

A God of Judgment
If the flood really happened, then God is the judge of the world as well as the creator.  He has both the power and ability to determine what is right and punish deviation. If the flood story is true, then sin will be punished on the last day. 

 For those who love wickedness, it is imperative to find some way to remove God or, at the very least, his power to judge their sins.  Jesus said, “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” (John 3:19).  If we love evil, then we are faced with two choices: change our lives and avoid judgment, or try to prove there will be no punishment.  Those who refuse to repent, therefore, must attack the ark.

 But What If…
...the flood account is true?  Firstly, there would be no chinks in the armor to attack.  The narrative of Noah and his family is extremely detailed in certain aspects.  Noah is told the exact dimensions to build his boat, the method to employ in construction, and the elapsed time is measured in exact numbers.  If it can be demonstrated that God is exactly right in these details, then there is no reason to doubt any of the other information we are given in the Bible.

If there is no reason to doubt the information contained in the Bible, then there certainly is going to be a judgment.  On the last day, all of mankind will have to stand before God and give an accounting for the deeds they committed in the flesh.  For those who loved wickedness and refused to repent, there awaits an eternal punishment for sins.  For those who have renounced worldly ways and turned back to God, there is the promise of forgiveness, grace, mercy and an eternal life in the heavenly realms with God. 

Finally, if the flood narrative is found to be true, then God is a God of love and mercy.  While the flood was certainly sent to punish and remove wickedness from the earth, the ark was sent to preserve the creation that God so dearly loves. 

Jesus Christ was sent to die on the cross so that the world might have their sins forgiven.  Every single person to ever live will eventually make the conscious choice to disobey God.  The Apostle Paul states that “all have sinned” in Romans 3.23.  You were not born with these sins, you committed them.  If the Bible is true you will be punished because of your own personal choice to disobey the creator of the universe.  However, the Bible also contains the promise of forgiveness.  God does not want to judge you, he wants to forgive you.  That forgiveness comes through Jesus Christ, and him alone.  If you have yet to give your life to Christ, seriously consider the lessons today; if the Bible is true, that is the best decision you will ever make!