Mark Driscoll presents 3 explanations how Jonah survived inside fish

Many skeptics have pointed out that the story of Jonah in the Bible is implausible but Pastor Mark Driscoll of Trinity Church in Arizona believes that the story is real and has presented three explanations how the biblical prophet survived inside the fish for three days.

In a video posted on his website, the pastor noted that Jesus Christ himself referred to Jonah's story as real before he proceeded to present three plausible explanations how the prophet lived inside the fish.

Driscoll stated that a minority believe that Jonah could have survived naturally and he noted that there were speculations that the prophet possibly found a way to breathe inside the whale.

He also explained that Jonah could have been supernaturally sustained by God. He cited the miraculous survival of Daniel in the lion's den and Shadrach Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace as well as the other miracles performed by Jesus.

Another option he presented was that Jonah could have died inside the fish and was brought back to life. Driscoll stated that there is an indication in the second chapter of the book of Jonah that the prophet could have died.

He quoted a few verses which referred to the "belly of Sheol" and he noted that "Sheol is the grave."

Driscoll however, noted that only a minority of biblical commentators hold to the position that Jonah died and was resurrected.

He encouraged his followers to keep studying the book of Jonah and explained the importance of learning the lessons of the prophet's story.

"The key to the whole book is God's people in the Old Testament, they would get together on the Day of Atonement to commemorate their sins, to remember their need for a savior and they would read the book of Jonah and they say in unison 'We are Jonah.' Meaning, we run from God. We rebel against God. We reject God and God chases us," he said.

"Jonah runs from God and all the fishes is just a symbol and a sign showing that God pursues the sinner and God pursues us through his son, our savior," he added.