Whether of not the story of Noah and the Flood is in some way something historical , I have a theological question about it. It would appear from the story the flood is sent by God because of sin and degradation of the world that happens because of it. While humans can be held responsible for sin, why does God choose to wipe out nearly all life because of human sin? it does not seem loving justice. Not only that but Noah’s descendants (us) are no less sinners after the flood and violence in creation continues.
But this must be extended to the question of whether the mass extinction events in geological and evolution history were simply accidents or things that God deliberately caused. If so, what does that say about God and all other non-human life?
My own answer comes from theologies that say that something of every living thing that has ever existed will somehow have a share in the Resurrection to eternal life and the remaking of “Heaven and Earth” , a newly fashioned Cosmos.
There are two separate subjects in you OP. The first being the accuracy of Scripture in discerning God’s participation in the(a) flood and second the existence of chance.
Scripture is ambiguous on the salvation of Noah, because neither he or his descendants seem to be as perfect as it claims. It would seem that there was indeed a calamitous flood but how much it had to do with God is another matter.
Let’s park that for a minute.
Scripture, especially the Old Testament has a view of God and His involvement in Creation. It repeatedly claims that God directs th minutia, from single drops of rain to the intent of invaders or the hardening of hearts. It would seem that humanity has no independence from God and yet manages to fall on our own. Another contradiction.
Perhaps we can read to much into the “commentary” of Scripture whereby the authors superimpose ideals about what God is doing , or not doing. From the definition of miracles, to the understanding of the cosmos, Scripture has a “view” that modern knowledge cannot share without “blind faith” in Scripture.
“Acts of God” are basically Insurance jargon for beyond any human control, they do not mean that God actually did it.
Perhaps we need to compare our understanding of God with that of the authors of Scripture and decide which one works. My personal faith does not need God to have a temper that destroys life, any life, human or otherwise. But perhaps I am not being real?
Or a third option, God knew about the mass extinction events and allowed them to happen because He is able to use those events as a part of His plan. A plan we humans will never fully know. At least on this side of the pearly gates.
As you stated in another thread there is no singular interpretation of Scripture, so in the words of Hancock, “So I’m gonna do me and I’m gonna let you do you.”