Ark Discovered! . . . Again?

It is with great sadness that, from time to time, we need to make our supporters aware of disreputable claims “doing the rounds” in Christian circles. Recently the dubious claims of Ron Wyatt and Jonathan Gray surfaced once again in Australia.

At great expense (and no doubt funded by the donations of sincere people), an eight-page newspaper insert recently appeared in the major newspapers in Australia-the Gold Coast Mail and the Melbourne Herald Sun.

Between them Gray and Wyatt (the latter now deceased) have claimed to have discovered Noah’s Ark, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Ark of the Covenant, and the grain pits of Joseph. Other sensational claims include the discovery of Christ’s actual blood cells and the Ten Commandments on stone divts-held together by gold chains no less.

We would be excited, along with all Christians, if these claims were true. Unfortunately, when asked to produce the artifacts, the discovers give only excuses. Checks on some of their claims have produced a trail of falsehood after falsehood. (See Has the Ark of the Covenant Been Found?)

An old article in Creation magazine (September-November 1992), Special Report: Amazing “Ark” Exposé, laid to rest the Wyatt rumors about discovery of Noah’s Ark.

The main claims at a glance

• Turkish Government says it’s a boat……FALSE
• There is a regular metallic pattern……FALSE
• Lab tests show petrified laminated wood……FALSE
• Turkish scientists found metal rods……FALSE
• Metal artifacts have been proved by lab……FALSE
• There are ‘ship’s ribs’ showing……FALSE
• There is lots of petrified wood……FALSE
• Radar shows man-made (boat) structure……FALSE

Why do we mention these articles on our Web site again? Gray’s advertising insert Discovery Times has appeared in major secular newspapers in Australia and may appear in other newspapers, increasing the likelihood that Christians will be asked questions about these claims.

Being Tarred with the Same Brush

A lack of integrity causes great damage to the Christian cause, especially when people are “immunized” against the Gospel upon discovery that such claims are false.

Believers need to be wary of rumors and claims without evidence. There are many Bible-believing scientists and archeologists who would love to help verify finds of this nature, if they were genuine. We are commanded to “prove all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).