A Post-Ice Age Global Judgment Flood: A Biblical and Scientific Model

By Blake Alma

I. Introduction: Bible, History, and Science in Harmony

I am not a scholar, theologian, or scientist—just a coin collector and history enthusiast deeply committed to uncovering truth, both spiritual and historical. I hold the Bible as perfect and believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who died for our sins. My intention is not to offend fellow believers but to follow evidence while maintaining faith in God and His Word.

This paper proposes that Earth is significantly older than 6,000 years and that Noah's flood occurred around 12,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age. While many Christians derive a young Earth from Genesis genealogies, examining the original Hebrew text, the cultural context of biblical genealogies, and extensive archaeological and geological evidence suggests that the young-Earth model is unsustainable.

Atheists may dismiss this theory as folly or pseudo-science due to its inclusion of divine judgment and supernatural action. However, faith is not blind; it can be supported by reason, history, and science. The post-Ice Age flood model affirms the Bible's truth, aligns with global historical memory, and corresponds with findings from geology, archaeology, and climate science.

This theory, I believe, will lead more people to Christ than the rigid 6,000-year-old Earth theory. Defending a young-Earth timeline despite substantial contrary data causes many reasonable individuals to reject Christianity. Demonstrating that the Bible and science are not at war removes that intellectual barrier.

I propose that God wiped out all humanity except Noah and his family around 12,000 years ago during a massive flood event triggered by global climate change at the end of the Younger Dryas. This event reset human civilization and aligns with both Scripture and observable truths in creation.

II. Core Thesis

At the close of the Younger Dryas (~10,800 to ~9,600 BC), Earth experienced a sudden warming event, likely caused by a comet impact or atmospheric explosion. This abrupt shift brought about the rapid melting of glaciers, large-scale flooding, and sudden climate disruption (Firestone et al. 2007). I believe God used this moment in history to judge a morally corrupt civilization of spiritually accountable humans. The flood eliminated all civilization except Noah and his family, who were preserved in the ark.

This view does not necessitate a belief that the entire globe was underwater but suggests that the flood was geographically comprehensive enough to wipe out all covenantal humanity. It preserves the theological weight of the flood narrative while fitting within the broader scientific record.

III. The Flood After the Younger Dryas: Evidence of Global Water Chaos

Meltwater Pulses

Following the Younger Dryas, two major “meltwater pulses”—Pulse 1A and 1B—raised sea levels 30 to 60 feet worldwide. These events flooded vast coastal regions and river valleys, erasing any settlements in low-lying zones (Blanchon and Shaw 1995).

Underwater Structures

Archaeologists and marine geologists have discovered submerged cities and stone structures off the coasts of India (Dwarka), Japan (Yonaguni), and Cuba. Though interpretations vary, they suggest advanced pre-flood civilizations possibly erased during the massive post-glacial flooding (Joseph 2004).

Mega-Flood Features

The Channeled Scablands in Washington State display dramatic erosion from a series of massive Ice Age floods. These were long dismissed until geologist J. Harlen Bretz demonstrated their validity—a precedent for catastrophic natural events in Earth’s history (Bretz 1969).

Black Mat Layers & Extinction Events

Sedimentary “black mats” found across North America correspond with the extinction of the Clovis culture and many Ice Age megafauna. These layers contain nanodiamonds and soot, likely from atmospheric impact or global firestorms during this flood-reset period (Kennett et al. 2009).

Civilizational Reset

Following this event, early civilizations—Sumer, Egypt, and the Indus Valley—arose with remarkable speed and no archaeological continuity from Ice Age societies. This reset mirrors the biblical flood narrative (Kramer 1981).

IV. Universal Flood Myths: A Shared Cultural Memory

Flood stories are found in nearly every ancient culture. From Mesopotamia’s Epic of Gilgamesh, to the Indian Manu, the Greek Deucalion, and countless others across China, Polynesia, the Americas, and Africa, the idea of a divinely sent flood that resets humanity is nearly universal. These narratives often include a righteous man warned beforehand, a vessel of salvation, and a judgment on wickedness.

Such overwhelming cultural consistency suggests a shared memory of a traumatic flood event deeply rooted in human consciousness (Frazer 1918).

V. Biblical Harmony and Language

Critics of a non-global flood often assume that the Hebrew text demands a literal, planet-wide deluge. But a closer look at the original language and broader biblical usage suggests otherwise.

The Hebrew word “eretz”, typically translated as “earth,” more accurately means “land” or “region” depending on the context. Likewise, the word “kol”, translated as “all,” can mean “all in a group” or “all of a kind,” not necessarily “everywhere on Earth” in a literal sense.

Genesis 7:19-20 states that the waters “prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.” But this may reflect Noah’s personal perspective—not a scientific description of a global topographical event. From his vantage point, the world as he knew it was completely underwater.

This usage of universal language to describe regional or group events is common throughout Scripture:

• In Genesis 41:57, “Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. " yet we know this refers to surrounding regions, not every nation on the planet.
• In Luke 2:1, "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered," but this clearly refers to the Roman Empire, not the globe.
• Even in John 3:16, “God so loved the world” speaks of humanity rather than every square mile of the Earth.

Thus, when Genesis speaks of the “whole earth,” it likely means the whole known world of Noah—the land and people that fell under God’s covenantal judgment. This reading preserves the theological weight of the flood while remaining consistent with linguistic, historical, and geological evidence.

VI. Archaeological and Historical Consistency

Göbekli Tepe (~9600 BC)

Discovered in Turkey, Göbekli Tepe is the world’s oldest known temple site. Built before agriculture and buried intentionally, its purpose and sudden disappearance raise questions. It may represent pre- or post-flood religious activity by early descendants of Noah (Schmidt 2010).

Megalithic Structures

Worldwide, massive stone monuments—some submerged or isolated from later culture—show no clear technological lineage. These may reflect pre-flood engineering knowledge lost in the civilizational reset (Joseph 2004).

The Rise of Sumer

Shortly after 9500 BC, Sumerian civilization appears in the very region Genesis describes Noah’s descendants repopulating. With cities, writing, math, and astronomy, Sumer arises not gradually, but abruptly (Kramer 1981).

VII. The Scientific Record Supports an Old Earth

Radiocarbon Dating

Carbon-14 dating, confirmed by independent labs, reliably dates organic material (up to ~50,000 years). Human remains, tools, and art dated this way regularly predate the biblical young-Earth timeline (Taylor and Bar-Yosef 2014).

How Carbon Dating Works (Explained Simply)

Think of all living things—plants, animals, and people—as having a tiny “clock” inside them made of a special element called Carbon-14. This Carbon-14 is slightly radioactive and comes from the air. While something is alive, it keeps absorbing Carbon-14 by breathing and eating. But when it dies, that clock stops ticking—the creature stops taking in new Carbon-14.

From that moment on, the Carbon-14 inside it starts to slowly break down. Scientists know its half-life is about 5,730 years—meaning half of the Carbon-14 decays in that time. By measuring what remains, scientists can estimate how long it’s been since the organism died.

This method is verified by tree rings, volcanic ash layers, and ice cores. When these methods converge, it gives us strong confidence in the dating results.

Geological Stratigraphy

Earth’s rock layers clearly reflect processes that took place over millions of years. For example, the Grand Canyon contains sedimentary layers estimated to span over 1.7 billion years (Dalrymple 2004).

Ice Core and Tree-Ring Records

Ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica record uninterrupted seasonal layers stretching back over 100,000 years. Similarly, dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) extends human-environmental records far beyond the Genesis timelines (Alley 2000).

VIII. Reconciling Genealogies with Science

One of the most commonly cited arguments for a young Earth comes from the genealogies in Genesis—specifically, the lineages from Adam to Noah and from Noah to Abraham. At first glance, these lists seem to present a straightforward, year-by-year timeline that limits human history to around 6,000 years. However, a closer look at how biblical genealogies function reveals that they are not intended as exhaustive chronological records.

Gaps in Genealogies

The Hebrew word yalad—often translated as “begat” or “became the father of”—can also mean “became the ancestor of,” rather than implying direct, literal parentage. In many cases, biblical genealogies intentionally skip generations to emphasize theological themes or adhere to symbolic patterns.

For example, compare the genealogies of Jesus recorded in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Although both trace Jesus’ ancestry, they differ significantly:

• Matthew’s Account: Matthew structures Jesus’ genealogy into three sets of 14 generations. This deliberate grouping, which omits certain names found in the Old Testament (such as Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah), serves a symbolic purpose by emphasizing Jesus as the promised descendant of David and Abraham in a memorable, rhythmic pattern.
• Luke’s Account: Luke, on the other hand, traces Jesus’ lineage all the way back to Adam, highlighting Jesus as the Son of Man and Savior for all humanity. Notably, Luke’s list includes different names between David and Jesus compared to Matthew’s account. This discrepancy has led some scholars to propose that Luke might be recording Mary’s lineage, while Matthew is documenting Joseph’s.

Why Some Believe Luke’s Genealogy Is Mary’s

1. Luke’s Language: In Luke 3:23, it states that “Jesus… was thought to be the son of Joseph, the son of Heli.” However, Matthew identifies Joseph’s father as Jacob. If Heli were actually Mary’s father—with Joseph serving as his son-in-law—then Luke’s account might be using legal or customary terminology to present Jesus’ biological descent through Mary.
2. Luke’s Emphasis on Mary: Throughout his Gospel, Luke frequently highlights Mary’s perspective (e.g., the angel’s announcement, the Magnificat, Simeon’s prophecy). This recurring focus suggests that Luke may have had access to or interest in Mary’s lineage.
3. Levirate Marriage Possibility: Another theory posits that Joseph might have had two legal fathers—one biological (Jacob, as per Matthew) and one through a levirate marriage arrangement (Heli, as per Luke). Although this complicates the legal genealogy, it offers a plausible explanation for the differences between the two accounts.

Theological Purpose

Ultimately, the primary role of biblical genealogies is to highlight the relationship between God and humanity. They are designed to demonstrate God’s faithfulness across generations rather than to resolve debates about the exact age of the Earth. The focus is on the spiritual significance of the redemptive line that leads to Christ, rather than on recording every individual who ever lived.

This understanding allows us to respect the authority of Scripture while also embracing the complex insights provided by archaeology, genetics, and geology. It shows that taking the Bible seriously does not require a rigid, literal timeline but rather invites us to appreciate the richness of human history as it unfolds through multiple layers of evidence.

X. Summary Table: Why This Model Works

Question	This Model’s Answer
Is the Earth 6,000 years old?	No. Geological and archaeological records show an ancient Earth.
Did the flood kill all humans?	Yes—those in covenant with God. Only Noah’s family survived.
Was the whole Earth underwater?	Not globally, but all of civilization was wiped out.
Why are there flood myths worldwide?	They’re cultural memory of a real, traumatic global event.
Is this faithful to Scripture?	Yes. The Hebrew text and theology support it.
Does it fit science?	Yes. It aligns with geology, archaeology, and paleoclimatology.
What about Nephilim/Neanderthals?	They may be culturally linked. The Bible allows for ancient mystery.

Appendix A: Addressing Common Objections

“Radiocarbon dating is unreliable.”
This is one of the most common objections, but it's based on outdated misunderstandings. Some people think carbon dating is like a random guess, or that it makes too many assumptions. But the truth is, modern carbon dating is a carefully tested and well-calibrated scientific method.

Radiocarbon dating works by measuring how much Carbon-14 is left in once-living materials. Scientists have thoroughly verified it by comparing results with tree rings (which can be counted year by year), volcanic ash layers (which have known dates), and other reliable methods. If carbon dating were wrong, it wouldn’t line up with these other techniques—but it does, over and over again.

In addition, today's labs are meticulous. They clean samples to remove contamination, calibrate results using atmospheric data, and double-check results against multiple control samples. It’s not perfect—but no dating method is. That’s why scientists use many methods together, and when they all agree, it gives us strong confidence in the result.

“Genesis clearly says the whole Earth was flooded.”
It’s important to understand how ancient Hebrew uses language. Words like eretz (often translated “earth”) can also mean “land” or “region.” Likewise, kol (translated “all”) doesn’t always mean “everywhere,” but can mean “all within a certain area.”
From Noah’s point of view, the flood may have seemed to cover the entire world. If every person he knew and every region he’d ever seen was underwater, he would naturally describe it as global. But the text doesn’t require that it covered every continent on Earth—only that it destroyed all covenantal humanity. The message of judgment and redemption still holds, even if the geography wasn’t worldwide.

“Science and faith contradict each other.”
They don’t have to. The idea that science and the Bible are enemies is a false dichotomy. God created the universe, and science is just our way of studying how He did it. Good science and good theology often point to the same truth, even if they use different tools.

“Nephilim theories are speculative.”
Absolutely. No one is claiming to have definitive proof of the Nephilim’s nature or identity. But speculation isn’t always a bad thing—especially when it’s used to bridge gaps between Scripture and science without violating either.

Appendix B: Theological Themes in the Flood Narrative

Judgment and Mercy: The flood is often seen as pure destruction, but theologically, it is a story of both justice and mercy. God’s judgment falls on a corrupt world, but His mercy preserves a remnant. Noah’s ark becomes a symbol of salvation—a foreshadowing of Christ’s redemptive work.

Covenant and Continuity: After the flood, God makes a covenant with Noah and his descendants—a promise not to destroy the earth in the same way again. This introduces the biblical theme of covenant: a relational agreement between God and His people that continues through Abraham, Israel, and Christ.

Order from Chaos: In Genesis, the flood is a reversal of creation—chaos returns to cover the earth. But God brings order again, placing the ark on dry land and giving humanity a new start. This mirrors the broader biblical theme of God bringing structure, purpose, and life out of chaos.

Appendix C: Why This Model Matters Today

Reaching the Skeptical Mind: Many young people walk away from faith because they believe the Bible contradicts science. By showing how Scripture and natural evidence can coexist, this model removes an unnecessary barrier and opens the door to belief.

Encouraging Intellectual Faith: Faith does not require abandoning reason. Models like this invite believers to explore truth deeply, engage in honest questions, and celebrate a God who is both Creator and Judge.

Preserving the Power of the Flood: This model doesn’t water down the story—it strengthens it. It affirms God’s judgment, humanity’s corruption, and divine redemption, while embracing the physical evidence God placed in creation.

Promoting Unity in the Church: By allowing for respectful interpretation, this view helps avoid unnecessary division between young-Earth and old-Earth believers. It makes space for dialogue rather than dogma.

Bibliography

• Alley, Richard B. 2000. The Two-Mile Time Machine: Ice Cores, Abrupt Climate Change, and Our Future. Princeton University Press.
• Blanchon, Paul, and John Shaw. 1995. “Reef Drowning During the Last Deglaciation: Evidence for Catastrophic Sea-Level Rise and Ice-Sheet Collapse.” Geology 23 (1): 4–8. Link
• Bower, Bruce. 2003. “Neandertals: The Face of Our Ancestors?” Science News 164 (7): 104–106.
• Bretz, J. Harlen. 1969. “The Lake Missoula Floods and the Channeled Scabland.” Journal of Geology 77 (5): 505–543. Link
• Collins, C. John. 2006. Genesis 1–4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary. P&R Publishing. Link
• Dalrymple, G. Brent. 2004. Ancient Earth, Ancient Skies: The Age of Earth and Its Cosmic Surroundings. Stanford University Press.
• Firestone, Richard B., et al. 2007. “Evidence for an Extraterrestrial Impact 12,900 Years Ago That Contributed to the Megafaunal Extinctions and the Younger Dryas Cooling.” PNAS 104 (41): 16016–16021. Link
• Frazer, James George. 1918. Folk-Lore in the Old Testament: Studies in Comparative Religion, Legend and Law. Macmillan. Link
• Joseph, Frank. 2004. Survivors of Atlantis: Their Impact on World Culture. Bear & Company.
• Kennett, James P., et al. 2009. “Shock-Synthesized Hexagonal Diamonds in Younger Dryas Boundary Sediments.” PNAS 106 (31): 12623–12628. Link
• Kramer, Samuel Noah. 1981. History Begins at Sumer: Thirty-Nine Firsts in Recorded History. University of Pennsylvania Press. Link
• Schmidt, Klaus. 2010. Göbekli Tepe: A Stone Age Sanctuary in Southeastern Anatolia. Archaeopress. Link
• Taylor, R. E., and Ofer Bar-Yosef. 2014. Radiocarbon Dating: An Archaeological Perspective. Routledge. Link
• Walton, John H. 2001. The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis. Zondervan.