As we know, the Earth is presently on a 23.5 degree axis. My "original" thought is that the Earth was once on a 0 degree axis with the whole planet in a relatively temperate zone and then a catastrophe occurred which caused the Earth to be on its present axis.

This catastrophe, I believe (original thoughts, right) was caused by a large meteor impacting the earth in the Yucatan peninsula area where Belize is presently. (might also help towards an explanation for the sudden disappearance of the Mayans). This dramatic shift in the Earth's axis would explain why we find frozen mammoths in Siberia with unchewed food in their mouths and evidence of temperate zone flora beneath the ice caps.

This could also explain a dynamic shift in tectonic plates that could have caused a flood and possible worldwide earthquakes, volcanic eruptions with their secondary and tertiary effects causing the extinction of large animals like dinosaurs and most of the antediluvian population.

I also think the firmament was possibly a distinct solidlike covering in the inner atmosphere that held back a significant amount of water. Hence the Biblical torrents of rain coming from above and below.

Before you rip my theory to shreds, please remember this is a forum for "original" ideas. I can prove none of what I said but after years of thinking about this stuff, this is the best I can come up with.

Alex

Dear Friends,

The earth has pretty much been at its present tilt. There is evidence though that, at some point in the past, the earth was temporaly tilted from it 23.5 degree tilt. The earth has been recovering from that catastrophe. And it was probably caused by a large group of asteroids hitting the earth simultaneously in mass. I would suggest it was the cause for the flood and all which were the result of the flood and since.

Sincerely,
The Seeker

I like your thoughts, Alex. This morning, I've been considering the effect that the New Jerusalem will have on the "tilt". Wondering if it's just the missing piece that we need to align us as God originally purposed. (Double and triple entendres intended.) Also, how is it that the tree of life is now in heaven and not on earth? Is it that perhaps when God took it back--so to speak--that it misaligned the earth? And, did He do it knowingly?

Good thoughts!

This is somewhat unrelated and not quite original, but I once heard an Adventist astronomer theorize that the asteroid belt is the remnants of a planet that was destroyed around the time of the flood.

Anyway...

I think the earth was originally largely the same climate all over, but it was tilted during the flood.

I'm not sure about the water canopy theory... how would they have seen the sun, moon, and stars clearly if there were a massive ocean miles above them before the flood?

Maybe the ocean was a little further than the sun and moon!

:)

Then how did it fall during the flood?

Or is it still there? O_O

ALEX

WELL those are some interesting questions and
thoughts but I AM sure that it all started
when sin come into being not just ADAM and EVE
were affected but all animals and plants were
affected so I am sure the earth was affected as well

dgrimm60

SIVARTM

I AM sure that the flood was a major part of the
earth getting out of balance....

dgrimm60

I think the firmament was like nothing we presently know now. Some have surmised that it was crystallized metal only a few inches thick or a translucent canopy made of materials that allowed visibility of the heavenly bodies?

There's quite a bit of firmament talk in Genesis. But the narrative specifics are left for us to speculate about, which we are doing here. Exactly how all of this happened and are there any remnants left for us to research, I don't know.

But I do know I like rolling all of this around in my head from time to time. And that time is now. I guess all this climate change stuff has acted as a catalyst for me?

Alex (must google "firmament")

I always thought the firmament was just the sky, and on the second day of creation a lot of water evaporated into the atmosphere... or something. *shrugs*

By the way, Aubrey, your idea about the Tree of Life made me think of the mythological World Tree.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_tree