If you want to read a great science fiction novel that touches, among other things, on the finding of an ark on Mount Ararat, there's this.
I also recommend another Powers book, "The Drawing of the Dark," which is about King Arthur, beer, and the Siege of Vienna by the Turks. These are strange and powerful SF novels, and not unfriendly to religion.
read most of his work and its totally unique. My favorite is the Anubis Gates
Anubis Gates is also excellent.