Destruction and Nakedness

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and there he sacrificed as burnt offerings the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose.  And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood.  I will never again destroy all living things.  As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.” [Genesis 8.20-22]

Then God told Noah and his sons, “I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants, and with all the animals that were on the boat with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals—every living creature on earth.  Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you.  Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.” [Genesis 9.8-11]

So, has God guaranteed never again to destroy the earth OR never again to destroy the earth by flood? 

With these two passages of scripture in the Bible, how did we ever arrive at saying God would never again destroy the earth with a flood in particular but leave it open for other methods?

On another note...

Noah's nakedness caused me to remember Adam and Eve's nakedness.  There was no doubt something about their nakedness that stirred deep emotion and conviction.  What was it?  What is it (was it) about nakedness that drew such a response?

Hmm.

Father, as I read and consider Your Word today, help me to absorb Truth, and overcome doubt and disbelief.