Would the discovery of Noah’s Ark be important?

Answer

There have been numerous claimed discoveries of Noah’s Ark in recent years. The findings have been in various locations, ranging from Mount Ararat in Turkey, to a mountain range in Iran, to a different location on Mount Ararat (including a visitors’ center). The purpose of this article is not to assess the legitimacy of the Noah’s Ark discovery claims. Instead, the question at hand is, would the discovery of Noah’s Ark be significant? Would a Noah’s Ark discovery lead people to turn to God in faith?

The identification of a boat-like structure in the mountains of the Middle East, dated to around the time of the biblical account of Noah’s Ark (2500 BC), with signs of animal life having been aboard, would indeed be a remarkable find. For those who have faith in God and consider the Bible as His inspired Word, it would serve as compelling evidence that the Bible is accurate and that early human history unfolded just as the Bible depicts. A confirmed Noah’s Ark discovery would likely prompt many seekers and open-minded skeptics to at least reconsider their beliefs. However, for the closed-minded critic and staunch atheist, the revelation of Noah’s Ark would not make any difference.

While a Noah’s Ark discovery would be significant, it would not be sufficient to overcome spiritual blindness. Romans 1:19–20 states, “What can be known about God is evident to them because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (ESV). If an individual is rejecting the clear evidence of God in the universe, no discovery related to the Bible, including a Noah’s Ark finding, would alter their perspective. Not even a confirmed resurrection would shake their lack of faith: “If they do not hear Mos.”

Jesus said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:31). No discovery, argument, or miracle will change the mind of a person blinded by Satan, “in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and who, with a hard heart and closed mind, rejects the light of the gospel.

What if Noah’s ark is never found? Would it impact the believer? No, the absence of a Noah’s ark discovery is inconsequential because Christian faith does not rely on proving every biblical account conclusively. The Bible recounts actual historical events involving real people, mostly witnessed and recorded by eyewitnesses. However, we do not anticipate discovering ancient artifacts for every Scripture mention. Ultimately, the Christian faith is based on faith. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” Jesus said, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29).

There are two main reasons why Noah’s ark may never be found. Firstly, the ark’s wood would have been highly valuable post-flood. Noah and his family would have required wood for various projects. It is plausible that Noah, his family, or their descendants dismantled the ark and repurposed its wood. Secondly, even if Noah’s family left the ark intact, approximately

Approximately 4,500 years have passed since that time. A wooden structure exposed to harsh natural elements for 4,500 years would likely decompose or decay into virtual nothingness.

While a discovery of Noah’s ark would be a significant archaeological find, it should not be something Christians rely on. The finding of Noah’s ark, the ark of the covenant, the Holy Grail, or any other biblical artifact will not “prove” the Christian faith, nor will it change the mind of anyone unless God is drawing them to Himself “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”, (John 6:44). “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”, (Hebrews 11:1).