The Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Creationism (2018)

Lanser 2010, p. 4). In order to support this specific view, Lanser takes Psalm 104:8 as contemporary with Genesis 1:9. He identifies the movement as the flow of primeval waters off the uplift of the original continent at the time of creation, rather than the movement of Flood waters. Lanser (2010) summarizes his study thus: Therefore, when Gen. 8:5 speaks of the tops of the mountains becoming visible as the Flood waters decreased, these are the tops of the same mountains which were inundated in Gen. 7:19-20. They are not newly erected mountains. And it follows that the landmass which was inundated by the Flood directly corresponds to the landmasses we now have. None permanently sank into the sea, nor did former sea floor rise to become a present continent. (p. 12) Such a conclusion stands in opposition to Flood models that display major orogenic activity during and after the Flood. The view also has repercussions on the current state of the earth’s crust and its geophysical features. For example, Lanser’s conclusion severely reduces the degree of violence by which the Flood destroyed the surface of the earth. It might also affect our understanding of the amount of water required to cover pre-Flood mountain masses equivalent to post-Flood mountains. However, the biblical evidence (including Ps. 104:8) contradicts any gentle destruction of the pre-Flood earth that might leave basic geophysical features in place. Thus, biblical evidence does not support identifying pre- Flood geographical features with current features. 2. Ocean Margins and Change from Catastrophic Surface Erosion Geologists should find evidence in the geological record related to the late and, especially, post-Flood eras that indicates stabilizing ocean margins and slowing surface erosion. Some scholars believe that Psalm 104:8 depicts a random back-and-forth movement of Flood waters receding from the mountains (e.g., Allen 1983, p. 27). The text, however, describes movement of the earth’s crust, which might imply major movements of water. In other words, tectonic activity provides the stimulus for aquatic movement, as argued by Snelling (2009, vol. 2, pp. 473–474). 3. Clear Three-Era Geologic Boundaries Psalm 104:10–35 parallels the post-Flood world as described in Genesis 8:15–9:17 (cf. Snelling 2009, vol. 1, pp. 281–283). If the psalmist wrote with this period of time in mind, omission of earth’s history from Genesis 1:9–8:14 would be unlikely. Very few commentators, if any, have taken the time to consider the implications of such a major omission. Geologists, on the other hand, could expect to see in the rock record clear demarcations between pre-Flood, Flood, and post-Flood earth history. Given the biblical description of its globality and violence, the geologic evidence for the Flood should be major. 4. Absence of Global Catastrophic Chaos in Pre-Flood/Creation Geologists following biblical details should not expect any evidence indicating global catastrophic chaotic conditions on the earth’s surface from the beginning of creation. With the uplifting of dry land out of the global ocean on the third day of creation, some evidence of geological chaos might be expected. However, it will not be as global or as severe as geological chaos relating to the catastrophic and violent nature of the Flood. At some points in the geological record, both Flood sediments and pre-Flood geological structures should show evidence of the Flood’s extreme violence, tectonic and volcanic activity, as well as occasional more localized chaotic currents in the deluge’s mudflows. CONCLUSION Psalm 104:8 identifies a tectonic event or series of events best related to the Noahic Flood and occurring either during, near the end, or after the Flood. Exegetical analysis of the Hebrew text supports this interpretation based upon the structure, grammar, and vocabulary of the psalm. Psalm 104:6–9 reveal a greater affinity to Genesis 7 than to Genesis 1. Psalm 104 does not limit itself to creation. The psalmist writes of three major eras in earth history: creation (vv. 1–5), Flood (vv. 6–9), and post-Flood (vv. 10–35). Proponents of creation as the event involved in these verses tend to ignore the details of the Hebrew text or to come under the influence of uniformitarian preconceptions or to reveal an over-emphasis on pagan myths depicting creation as a battle between God and chaos. “The mountains rose, the valleys sank down — to the place which You established for them” remains the best translation for verse 8. This interpretation of the biblical text validates a search for geological evidence for large-scale crustal displacement and orogeny. Evidence should also be present in the geologic record regarding the stabilization of ocean margins and differentiating degrees of surface erosion. Geologic boundaries for three major periods of earth history should also appear: pre-Flood, Flood, and post-Flood. Lastly, evidence in the geologic record should provide a relatively orderly and irenic creation record as compared to the extensive and extreme violence and chaos of the mechanisms involved in the Noahic Flood’s initiation, progress, and after- effects. REFERENCES Alexander, J.A. 1864. The Psalms translated and explained . Edinburgh, Scotland: Andrew Elliot; James Thin. Allen, L.C. 1983.  Psalms 101–150 . Vol. 21 of Word biblical commentary . Waco, Texas: Word Books. Barker, D.G. 1986. The waters of the earth: an exegetical study of Psalm 104:1–9. Grace Theological Journal 7, no. 1:57–80. Barrick, W.D. 2008. Noah’s flood and its geological implications. In Coming to grips with Genesis: Biblical authority and the age of the earth , eds. T. Mortenson and T. Ury, pp. 251–281. Green Forest, Arkansas: Master Books. Boice, J.M. 1996. Psalms , vol. 2. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books. Broyles, C.C. 1999. Psalms . Vol. 11 of New international biblical commentary: Old Testament Series . Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. Collins, C.J. 2006. Genesis 1–4: A linguistic, literary, and theological commentary . Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R Publishing. Davidson, R. 1998. The vitality of worship: A commentary on the book of Psalms . Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans. Enns, P. 2012. The evolution of Adam: What the Bible does and doesn’t say about human origins . Grand Rapids, Michigan: Brazos Press. Gerstenberger, E.S. 2001. Psalms part 2 and Lamentations . Vol. 15 of Forms of Old Testament literature , eds. R.P. Knierim, G.M. Tucker, and M.A. Sweeney. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans. Gilchrist, P.R. 1980. ( דַסָי yāsad ). In Theological wordbook of the Old Testament , eds. R.L. Harris, G.L. Archer, Jr., and B.K. Waltke, pp. 384– 385. Chicago: Moody Press. Goldingay, J. 2008. Psalms 90–150 . Vol. 3 of Psalms . Baker commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms . Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic. Grisanti, M.A. 1997. .םוֹהְּת In New International dictionary of Old Testament theology and exegesis ,” vol. 4, ed. W.A. VanGemeren, pp. 275–277. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House. Barrick ◀ Exegetical analysis of Psalm 104:8 ▶ 2018 ICC 101