Noah's Ark: Rated PG

How did we settle on Noah's Ark as a children's story? 

Probably because it has animals, and golly, all kids like animals. 

(That's because their childhood wasn't spent cleaning up after them #farmlife)

Or maybe because it's got pretty rainbows in it.

But I suppose it's because we keep showing pictures like this:

I'm guessing this wouldn't look familiar to Noah at all. We've made it all about the animals. I'd imagine Noah remembers it like this:

Recently an atheist asked me about all the people who drowned as a result of Noah's flood. It truly bothered him that I could worship such a God. 

So for the next few weeks, we'll take on some of the less G-rated questions regarding Noah's Ark.

1. Why did God kill children in the flood? 

Apart from Noah and his family, everyone died in the flood, including children. We see other painful instances where children were killed in the Old Testament. But do you realize that for the majority of them, this may have been their only access to Heaven?

I firmly believe that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8). At the same time, I believe scripture teaches that God's grace is extended to those who are not fully capable of making this decision. 

Wayne Grudem writes on this idea in his Systematic Theology:

"We must...affirm very clearly that this is not the usual way for God to save people."

Here are two major areas of scriptural support for the idea of God's saving grace towards children:

• 2 Samuel 12:22-23  David ceased grieving for his dead, infant son, having confidence that he would see the child again one day in Heaven.
• Numbers 14:28-31  Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years, and when they arrive back to the Promised Land, only those who were 19 and younger (and the Levites) have survived in the desert to enter. So God showed grace to the younger generation. 

So I'm not saying children go to Heaven because they're innocent (Psalm 51:5 affirms they are not), or that we should not share the gospel with children. 

For the children of Noah's day, this was an amazingly gracious act of God to bring these children to Himself for eternity. It was likely their only chance. 

There are some smart folks who wouldn't agree with my take. Again, this is a personal, biblical conviction from my own study of God's Word. I'd love to hear your comments!