1. On Ramm's flood scenario. (Caspian/Aral Sea basin I believe). I'll
simply take your word for most of your negative reaction to Ramm's
scenario. After all, that's what professional fgeologists are for.
However, you mentioned that it would be difficult for the Ark to get to the
mountains of Ararat from that region. Again, I grant you that. But
remember that your own scenario depends on the "mountains of Ararat"
meaning a different geological feature today from what Noah meant. You
identified the mountains of Ararat as possibly being the African continent
as seen from the valley that is now the Mediterranean. Is it possible that
some geological feature more accessible to a local flood in the Caspian
basin could have been Noah's "mountains of Ararat"?
2. On the level of detail prior to Gen 12 and following Gen 11: You
pointed out that we know very little of Ehud and Melchizidek. Granted, but
Melchizedek is portrayed in Genesis (not in Hebrews, obviously!) as a
somewhat minor character, who meets the main character, Abraham once.
Judges provides varying amounts of detail on a number of Judges. It
originated at a time when Israel was in a constant state of flux -- warring
with various enemies, occupied by various enemies, etc. Some of the judges
are covered in considerable detail, others not. I agree that there is no
reason to discount the existence of Ehud. He just wasn't as important to
the account as some of the others. But I was not trying to claim that Noah
-- or anyone else from Gen 1-11 -- is legend. What it looks like to me is
that Gen 1-11, because of the much lower level of detail than later
accounts, have come down to us from a much earlier time. That might
actually support your thesis.
Bill Hamilton | Chassis & Vehicle Systems
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