(3 minute 17 second read)
The mandela effect is an interesting idea.
“The Mandela Effect is an observed phenomenon in which a large segment of the population misremembers a significant event or shares a memory of an Event that did not actually occur.”
That’s a fancy way of saying “people believe something to be true but it actually isn’t.”
Well, the Bible has at least one of those… (but definitely has more)
Here’s an example of the Mandela effect that you’ll probably be familiar with:
Did you know that they’ve spelled it “Froot” loops this whole time?
What about this one… Does the Monopoly guy have a monocle?
He actually doesn’t.
The idea is people got him confused with Mr. Peanut - because he in fact does have a monocle.
One more — You remember when Forrest Gump said “Life is like a box of chocolates” when he was sitting on that bench, right?
Well, I’m sorry to inform you, but if you listen closely what he actually said was: “Life WAS like a box of chocolates.”
Now you know what the Mandela effect is, where does it take place in the Bible?
One place is in Genesis, in the account regarding Noah when he is building the ark.
As Noah was building the ark, the people around him were scoffing at him, laughing at him, and even insulting him… Or were they?
The Bible actually doesn’t record anyone’s reaction to Noah while he was building the ark.
Yet, I’ve heard in now in multiple sermons about that being completely true!
Now, is it wrong to think or speculate that people were probably confused why a guy was taking the time to build this boat with the promise of a coming flood? Not really…
But the point is this, it’s not found in the Bible - but we all think that it happened.
The only thing that comes close in my opinion is Matthew 24:37-39.
“For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
So, life was going on as if nothing was happening and tomorrow was promised for them. And they were unaware until the flood came and swept them away.
You could infer that people would walk up and ask Noah "Why are you building this?" Then hear his answer… then scoff at him.
Others have suggested that in extra biblical texts it gives a more detailed account of them scoffing and laughing at Noah - so it very well could’ve been the case.
Anyways…
It’s not crucial to any understanding of the Bible — however, I found it incredibly fascinating.
It makes me wonder what else is out there that we as Christians believe sometimes that isn’t necessarily found directly in scripture. 🤔🤔
Until next time,
-Nils
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