One of the most popular ways of understanding the creation account in Genesis is known as the Gap Theory or the ruin and reconstruction theory. Although there are some variations among those who hold to the Gap Theory, its basic teachings are as follows:

Perfection Then Chaos

Genesis 1:1 refers to God's initial perfect creation. Everything that God made was beautiful, there was no sin anywhere. Verse two, on the other hand, assumes that a great catastrophe occurred that caused the earth to become in a chaotic state through the judgment of God. According to the Gap Theory, the formless and void state, as recorded in Genesis 1:2, is in direct contrast to the perfect initial creation. Something happened between the first two verses of Genesis to cause the earth to become desolate and uninhabitable after having been made perfect. Those holding the Gap Theory contend that this state of ruin could have possibly lasted millions of years.

Reconstruction

After this unknown amount of time between the first two verses, God began a re-creation or restitution which involved successive days. The remainder of the first chapter of Genesis deals with the reconstruction of the earth, not the original creation. This re-creation is usually assumed to have occurred only a few thousand years ago and was accomplished in six literal twenty-four hour days. Genesis 1:3-2:3, therefore, is a second creation. Consequently Genesis speaks of creation, judgment, ruin, and recreation.

Literal Days, Old Earth

The individuals who hold to the Gap Theory want to accept the Bible literally as well as the conclusions of modern science about the ancient age of the earth- they are not evolutionists. The Gap Theory provides a solution to two problems between the Bible and science - the time problem and the fossil problem. To reconcile the Bible and science, the geological ages are placed between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2.

What Was The Judgment?

The judgment is usually spoken of as a flood because of the statement of Genesis 1:2 - the earth was covered by water. This judgment is also known as the Luciferic flood named after the angel who became the devil.

The Cause

The cause for the judgment is usually given as the rebellion of Satan or some pre-Adamic race that sinned. All of the inhabitants of the earth were judged by God, leaving behind fossil remains. The present plants and animals living today have no genetic relationship with the fossil left behind by the judgment of God.

The Case For The Gap Theory

Those who advocate the Gap Theory do so for the following reasons:

1.The Hebrew Conjunction Waw In Genesis 1:2

Gap theorists make part of their argument out of the Hebrew conjunction waw that begins Genesis 1:2. They wish to translate it as but. The idea is that there is a contrast between what was stated in Genesis 1:1 and the statement of Genesis 1:2. The author is emphasizing that the earth was created perfect but something happened that caused to become formless and void.

2.The Earth Became Void

The word translated was in Genesis 1:2 is the Hebrew verb hayah. It is possible to translate it as became or had become. Thus, the earth was created perfectly and then became without form and void. The world, though created perfect, became desolate and uninhabitable. What had previously been a perfect world was now ruined. Those who argue for this translation point out that in other places in the creation account the verb hayah is translated became or had become. (Genesis 2:7,10; 3:22, etc.). Hence the translation of the verb in this manner is consistent within the context of the creation account in Genesis.

3.The Septuagint Translation

Some advocates of the Gap Theory point to the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, for support of their translation of hayah as became. The verb hayah occurs 27 times in the first chapter of Genesis. The Greek translators of the Septuagint, rendered hayah, in 20 instances, by the Greek word egeneto which means became.

4.Formless And Void

Genesis 1:2 describes the earth at the time of the creation as being without form and void or desolate and uninhabitable (Hebrew tohu wa bohu). Are we to assume that a perfect God created the world in a chaotic condition? The phrase without form and void seems to require some type of judgment.

5.Other Passages

In addition, Isaiah 34:11 and Jeremiah 4:23-26, the only other instances the phrase without form and void is used, clearly refers to some type of divine judgment. Hence, Genesis 1:2 must also be a reference to judgment.

6.Darkness

Genesis 1:2 speaks of the world in a state of darkness. Darkness is almost always used in Scripture as a sign of sin and judgment (Jude 13, John 3:19). Furthermore, God did not say the darkness was good as He had said about the light (Genesis 1:3). If God originally created the world in light, then something caused the earth to become dark.

7.Created And Made

According to the Gap Theory, the original creation was in Genesis 1:1. What happened on the six days of Genesis was not creating but rather making over. Gap theorists make a distinction between the verbs create bara and made asah. The verb bara is used with regard to God creating while asah means refashioning or made to appear. The New Scofield Reference Bible makes this distinction.

Only three creative acts of God are recorded in this chapter: (1) the heavens and the earth, v. 1; (2) animal life, vv. 20-21; and (3) human life, vv 26-27. The first creative act refers to the dateless past. . . neither here (Genesis 1:3) nor in vv. 14-18 is an original creative act implied. A different word is used. The sense is made to appear, made visible. The sun and the moon were created 'in the beginning.' The light came from the sun, of course, but the vapor diffused the light. Later the sun appeared in an unclouded sky (The New Scofield Reference Bible, 1967, p. 1 note #3, #6).

8.Not Created In Vain

Isaiah 45:18 clearly states that God did not create the world in vain. The Hebrew phrase translated in vain is lo tohu. Tohu is the word translated without form in Genesis 1:2. Thus, if God did not create the world in vain, then it seems logical to assume that at some time in the earth's past it became desolate. Since it is unthinkable that anything chaotic and wasteful could come from a perfect God, we must assume that there was some type of judgment to put the earth in that condition.

9.Isaiah 24

Isaiah 24:1 is often cited as a verse that speaks of the earth being formerly in ruin.

Behold, the LORD lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts its surface, and scatters its inhabitants.

10.Jeremiah

Gap theorists also point to a passage in Jeremiah to bolster their point of view. The prophet wrote.

I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form and void; and the heavens had no light. . . I beheld, and indeed there was no man, and all the birds of the heaven had fled. I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, and all its cities are broken down at the presence of the Lord and His fierce anger (Jeremiah 4:23-26).

Scofield says of this passage:

[It] describes the condition of the earth as the result of judgment . . . which overthrew the primal order of Gen. I:I. (The Scofield Reference Bible, p. 776 note ).

11.Ezekiel 28

Many gap theorists point to Ezekiel 28:13-15 as describing the original creation before the desolation of Genesis 1:2. The passage speaks of Satan dwelling in Eden, the Garden of God, before sin had infected it.

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: the sardus, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked backed and forth in the midst of the fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created till iniquity was found in you (Ezekiel 28:13-15).
This is a description of the original perfection before God judged the world.

12.Angelic Fall

Some Gap theorists say that the time needed for the angels to rebel against God and be judged requires a gap between the first two verses in Genesis 1. They believe there is not enough time after the completion of creation on day six, and the fall of humanity in Genesis three for the angels to rebel.

Since Adam and Eve did not conceive any children before the fall, there must have been a relatively short time between the completion of creation on day six and the events of Genesis three. This does not allow adequate time for the rebellion, judgment, and expulsion of evil angels.

13.Downfall Of The World

Some advocate that Hebrews 4:3 should be translated The works were finished from the downfall of the world. The downfall it is argued, refers to the catastrophe of Genesis 1:2.

14.Replenish

Some Gap theorists cite Genesis 1:27 in the King James Version as a proof that the earth was formerly filled with people.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28KJV).

You only replenish something that was already filled.

15.Pre-Adamic People

This bring us to our next point, Almost all Gap Theorists adopt the view that human-like creatures existed before Adam. Although not directly related to modern humans, they did have their own sinful history. The fossils that we find today testify to their existence.

16.Gaps Found Elsewhere In Scripture

The principle of a gap between statements is found in other places in the Old Testament. For example, Isaiah 61:1-2: verse one finds its fulfillment in the First Coming of Christ while verse two refers to the Second Coming of Christ. Because the principle of a long period of time between two verses is found elsewhere in Scripture, it is possible that a gap existed between Genesis 1:1-1:2.

Summary

These arguments have led people to assume a gap between the first two verses of Genesis. They believe this is the best way to deal with the biblical and geological evidence. Science and Scripture are now in harmony when an indefinite gap is placed between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2.


What are your thoughts?

My thoughts




Let the sleeping dog lie

vybzkartel:
One of the most popular ways of understanding the creation account in Genesis is known as the Gap Theory or the ruin and reconstruction theory. Although there are some variations among those who hold to the Gap Theory, its basic teachings are as follows:

Perfection Then Chaos

Genesis 1:1 refers to God's initial perfect creation. Everything that God made was beautiful, there was no sin anywhere. Verse two, on the other hand, assumes that a great catastrophe occurred that caused the earth to become in a chaotic state through the judgment of God. According to the Gap Theory, the formless and void state, as recorded in Genesis 1:2, is in direct contrast to the perfect initial creation. Something happened between the first two verses of Genesis to cause the earth to become desolate and uninhabitable after having been made perfect. Those holding the Gap Theory contend that this state of ruin could have possibly lasted millions of years.

Reconstruction

After this unknown amount of time between the first two verses, God began a re-creation or restitution which involved successive days. The remainder of the first chapter of Genesis deals with the reconstruction of the earth, not the original creation. This re-creation is usually assumed to have occurred only a few thousand years ago and was accomplished in six literal twenty-four hour days. Genesis 1:3-2:3, therefore, is a second creation. Consequently Genesis speaks of creation, judgment, ruin, and recreation.

Literal Days, Old Earth

The individuals who hold to the Gap Theory want to accept the Bible literally as well as the conclusions of modern science about the ancient age of the earth- they are not evolutionists. The Gap Theory provides a solution to two problems between the Bible and science - the time problem and the fossil problem. To reconcile the Bible and science, the geological ages are placed between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2.

What Was The Judgment?

The judgment is usually spoken of as a flood because of the statement of Genesis 1:2 - the earth was covered by water. This judgment is also known as the Luciferic flood named after the angel who became the devil.

The Cause

The cause for the judgment is usually given as the rebellion of Satan or some pre-Adamic race that sinned. All of the inhabitants of the earth were judged by God, leaving behind fossil remains. The present plants and animals living today have no genetic relationship with the fossil left behind by the judgment of God.

The Case For The Gap Theory

Those who advocate the Gap Theory do so for the following reasons:

1.The Hebrew Conjunction Waw In Genesis 1:2

Gap theorists make part of their argument out of the Hebrew conjunction waw that begins Genesis 1:2. They wish to translate it as but. The idea is that there is a contrast between what was stated in Genesis 1:1 and the statement of Genesis 1:2. The author is emphasizing that the earth was created perfect but something happened that caused to become formless and void.

2.The Earth Became Void

The word translated was in Genesis 1:2 is the Hebrew verb hayah. It is possible to translate it as became or had become. Thus, the earth was created perfectly and then became without form and void. The world, though created perfect, became desolate and uninhabitable. What had previously been a perfect world was now ruined. Those who argue for this translation point out that in other places in the creation account the verb hayah is translated became or had become. (Genesis 2:7,10; 3:22, etc.). Hence the translation of the verb in this manner is consistent within the context of the creation account in Genesis.

3.The Septuagint Translation

Some advocates of the Gap Theory point to the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, for support of their translation of hayah as became. The verb hayah occurs 27 times in the first chapter of Genesis. The Greek translators of the Septuagint, rendered hayah, in 20 instances, by the Greek word egeneto which means became.

4.Formless And Void

Genesis 1:2 describes the earth at the time of the creation as being without form and void or desolate and uninhabitable (Hebrew tohu wa bohu). Are we to assume that a perfect God created the world in a chaotic condition? The phrase without form and void seems to require some type of judgment.

5.Other Passages

In addition, Isaiah 34:11 and Jeremiah 4:23-26, the only other instances the phrase without form and void is used, clearly refers to some type of divine judgment. Hence, Genesis 1:2 must also be a reference to judgment.

6.Darkness

Genesis 1:2 speaks of the world in a state of darkness. Darkness is almost always used in Scripture as a sign of sin and judgment (Jude 13, John 3:19). Furthermore, God did not say the darkness was good as He had said about the light (Genesis 1:3). If God originally created the world in light, then something caused the earth to become dark.

7.Created And Made

According to the Gap Theory, the original creation was in Genesis 1:1. What happened on the six days of Genesis was not creating but rather making over. Gap theorists make a distinction between the verbs create bara and made asah. The verb bara is used with regard to God creating while asah means refashioning or made to appear. The New Scofield Reference Bible makes this distinction.

Only three creative acts of God are recorded in this chapter: (1) the heavens and the earth, v. 1; (2) animal life, vv. 20-21; and (3) human life, vv 26-27. The first creative act refers to the dateless past. . . neither here (Genesis 1:3) nor in vv. 14-18 is an original creative act implied. A different word is used. The sense is made to appear, made visible. The sun and the moon were created 'in the beginning.' The light came from the sun, of course, but the vapor diffused the light. Later the sun appeared in an unclouded sky (The New Scofield Reference Bible, 1967, p. 1 note #3, #6).

8.Not Created In Vain

Isaiah 45:18 clearly states that God did not create the world in vain. The Hebrew phrase translated in vain is lo tohu. Tohu is the word translated without form in Genesis 1:2. Thus, if God did not create the world in vain, then it seems logical to assume that at some time in the earth's past it became desolate. Since it is unthinkable that anything chaotic and wasteful could come from a perfect God, we must assume that there was some type of judgment to put the earth in that condition.

9.Isaiah 24

Isaiah 24:1 is often cited as a verse that speaks of the earth being formerly in ruin.

Behold, the LORD lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts its surface, and scatters its inhabitants.

10.Jeremiah

Gap theorists also point to a passage in Jeremiah to bolster their point of view. The prophet wrote.

I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form and void; and the heavens had no light. . . I beheld, and indeed there was no man, and all the birds of the heaven had fled. I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, and all its cities are broken down at the presence of the Lord and His fierce anger (Jeremiah 4:23-26).

Scofield says of this passage:

[It] describes the condition of the earth as the result of judgment . . . which overthrew the primal order of Gen. I:I. (The Scofield Reference Bible, p. 776 note ).

11.Ezekiel 28

Many gap theorists point to Ezekiel 28:13-15 as describing the original creation before the desolation of Genesis 1:2. The passage speaks of Satan dwelling in Eden, the Garden of God, before sin had infected it.

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: the sardus, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked backed and forth in the midst of the fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created till iniquity was found in you (Ezekiel 28:13-15).
This is a description of the original perfection before God judged the world.

12.Angelic Fall

Some Gap theorists say that the time needed for the angels to rebel against God and be judged requires a gap between the first two verses in Genesis 1. They believe there is not enough time after the completion of creation on day six, and the fall of humanity in Genesis three for the angels to rebel.

Since Adam and Eve did not conceive any children before the fall, there must have been a relatively short time between the completion of creation on day six and the events of Genesis three. This does not allow adequate time for the rebellion, judgment, and expulsion of evil angels.

13.Downfall Of The World

Some advocate that Hebrews 4:3 should be translated The works were finished from the downfall of the world. The downfall it is argued, refers to the catastrophe of Genesis 1:2.

14.Replenish

Some Gap theorists cite Genesis 1:27 in the King James Version as a proof that the earth was formerly filled with people.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28KJV).

You only replenish something that was already filled.

15.Pre-Adamic People

This bring us to our next point, Almost all Gap Theorists adopt the view that human-like creatures existed before Adam. Although not directly related to modern humans, they did have their own sinful history. The fossils that we find today testify to their existence.

16.Gaps Found Elsewhere In Scripture

The principle of a gap between statements is found in other places in the Old Testament. For example, Isaiah 61:1-2: verse one finds its fulfillment in the First Coming of Christ while verse two refers to the Second Coming of Christ. Because the principle of a long period of time between two verses is found elsewhere in Scripture, it is possible that a gap existed between Genesis 1:1-1:2.

Summary

These arguments have led people to assume a gap between the first two verses of Genesis. They believe this is the best way to deal with the biblical and geological evidence. Science and Scripture are now in harmony when an indefinite gap is placed between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2.


What are your thoughts?

I do hold that God did not create a ruin and then take six days (whether literal or metaphorical) to make it perfect. That is inconsistent with His Nature and with what the Bible teaches. So, the initial creation must have been perfect. Therefore, there is a need to explain how the earth became "tohu wa bhohu". Satan's rebellion makes the most sense for such an explanation.

As for any pre-Adamic race, I see no reason to believe that there was ever one. It seems sufficient to me to believe that it was Satan and his co-conspirators who did everything that was done then. Of course, one of the things I believe that they did was try to create physical bodies to inhabit, because that would explain not only their rebellion then but their sustained habit of possessing both human and animal bodies even during our Lord's Ministry before the Cross.

Those bodies would be where the fossils came from. Some of them would be humanoid because angels are not very different from human beings both in spiritual makeup and in appearance, judging from what we read in the Bible.

But I don't recommend hobbyism in Bible study. It is unhealthy to blow up one subject in the Bible to the exclusion of the rest of the Bible. When we study the Bible under a gifted and prepared teacher, going with it wherever it leads, we end up with a full and well-rounded understanding of everything that the Bible teaches. Every Truth in the Bible is really part of one undivided Truth. Take one thing out of its place, and it becomes a snare to you. So, I strongly recommend avoiding making a big issue out of this or that doctrine for any reason.

Bro throw away the evolution nonsense. It is a shameful theory with zero proof.

Fossils are not millions of years old. There are loads of partially fossilized dinosaurs with soft tissues (meats) in them and blood cells. How could animals that died millions of years ago have blood cells and soft tissue? It is scientifically impossible. The ladies and gentlemen who made the discovery were either sacked or humiliated. Why?
The fossils have carbon14 in them. Carbon14 half life is below 6000yrs.

Charles Darwin father first proposed the theory evolution. He was a freemason, a very deceptive cult. Charles was probably a Freemason.. I am not sure though.


The Bible brief account of creation is perfect. Do not add or remove anything from it.

tolugar:
My thoughts




Let the sleeping dog lie

To do this, is to remain where we are.
Any religion you can't question does not give you the room to grow and it leads to foolery.

OpenYourEyes1:
Bro throw away the evolution nonsense. It is a shameful theory with zero proof.

Fossils are not millions of years old. There are loads of partially fossilized dinosaurs with soft tissues (meats) in them and blood cells. How could animals that died millions of years ago have blood cells and soft tissue? It is scientifically impossible. The ladies and gentlemen who made the discovery were either sacked or humiliated. Why?
The fossils have carbon14 in them. Carbon14 half life is below 6000yrs.

Charles Darwin father first proposed the theory evolution. He was a freemason, a very deceptive cult. Charles was probably a Freemason.. I am not sure though.


The Bible brief account of creation is perfect. Do not add or remove anything from it.

I strongly affirm your position
Kent hovind and the likes have debunked this useless theory of evolution and any proof that further debunks this theory never see the light of the day just because these fellows want to prove the non existence of a Supreme being.

Pusyiter:

To do this, is to remain where we are.
Any religion you can't question does not give you the room to grow and it leads to foolery.

What’s the position or rule of religion to modern day growth.


I believe it’s there for moral and salvation reasons and it should remain there.
Least we will be swayed

tolugar:


What’s the position or rule of religion to modern day growth.


I believe it’s there for moral and salvation reasons and it should remain there.
Least we will be swayed

It is ignorance that makes one sway
The truth sets free
When you don't ask, you remain ignorant
When you do, you will find the truth

Pusyiter:

It is ignorance that makes one sway
The truth sets free
When you don't ask, you remain ignorant
When you do, you will find the truth

Some truth are better left untold.

The real truth lies beyond human reach and only the dead knows.

The mysteries that surrounds our very own existence and our beliefs are itself “mysterious “

Only guided by few who still wishes they never new.

Read a post here today about “Gap theory”

Let me tell you the truth friend, “the more you seek the truth the more you lose your religion”

YES,
The more we need to lose religion because THE TRUTH removes one from the shackles of religion.
JESUS is the TRUTH and in HIM is the way of Life.....

tolugar:


Some truth are better left untold.

The real truth lies beyond human reach and only the dead knows.

The mysteries that surrounds our very own existence and our beliefs are itself “mysterious “

Only guided by few who still wishes they never new.

Read a post here today about “Gap theory”

Let me tell you the truth friend, “the more you seek the truth the more you lose your religion”

Pusyiter:
YES,
The more we need to lose religion because THE TRUTH removes one from the shackles of religion.
JESUS is the TRUTH and in HIM is the way of Life.....

Rules are made to bring about law and order and checkmate the menace in the society.

Religion guides us to consciously and subconsciously know what is
- good and evil
-Moral right and wrong ...
And the consequences or rewards of the choices we make
It’s made to be devine not “man made”



Now if we lose our religion, we lose the very foundations and sanity of humanity.

There will be unfavorable “man made” law politically motivated for personal or sectional benefits.


We most preserve our different religions and belief. And as for the question of “how and why” should also be carefully guided.

Mr. Tolugar,
Your disposition on this matter is concomitant to the proverbial ''siddon-look'' inclination palpable of subverting the core essence of who the TRUTH is to the avoidance of a religious higgledy-piggledy.

tolugar:


Rules are made to bring about law and order and checkmate the menace in the society.

Religion guides us to consciously and subconsciously know what is
- good and evil
-Moral right and wrong ...
And the consequences or rewards of the choices we make
It’s made to be devine not “man made”



Now if we lose our religion, we lose the very foundations and sanity of humanity.

There will be unfavorable “man made” law politically motivated for personal or sectional benefits.


We most preserve our different religions and belief. And as for the question of “how and why” should also be carefully guided.

X