Featured Gap Theory - the poll --- II

Why not put up the same pole?

 

I thought they went out of business!... Sorry wrong Gap... Brother Glen

 

Gap theory

General definition:

The theory that there is a time gap of eons between Gen. 1:2 and Gen. 1:3. During this gap the earth became formless and void.​

More specifically defined:

“As we have seen the theologians rested content with creation at 4004 B.C., till the geological studies disturbed this position. The first theory of harmonization propounded was that all geological data known at that time could be accounted for by the flood. We have seen how this theory was revived in the twentieth century under G.M. Price. But as the surface of the earth was studied and deciphered it became apparent that a flood of one year’s duration could not account for the phenomena of the rocks. Geologists had come to the conclusion that these formations occupied thousands if not millions of years for their construction. What the geologists needed was time. How could time be found in the Genesis account? It was the suggestion of the capable and brilliant Thomas Chalmer that the time element could be found be in a reconsideration of Gen. 1:2. There was a creation (1:1) followed by a catastrophe (1:2), in turn followed by a re-creation (1:3, ff). All the time the geologists needed could be found in Gen. 1:2. This theory became the favorite one of the twentieth century hyper-orthodoxy.” [Bernard Ramm, The Christian View of Science and Scripture. Eerdmans 1955. p. 135]

“Although the defenders of the gap theory have variations among themselves in interpretation, the general features of the theory are held in common by all. The theory runs something like this: God created a perfect world as recorded in Gen. 1:1. This world was turned over to Lucifer, who conducted the Temple worship of God located in a mineral Garden of Eden (Ezek. 28:13 f.). The exalted condition of Lucifer was too much for him and in seeking to exalt himself as a god, he and those who consorted with him fell and judgement was passed on them and the earth. For countless millions of years the earth was left alone and during these years the various geological formations took place. Some argue the ugliness of the dinosaurs and the great bed of fossils emerging as vast cemeteries of the past indicate that a judgement for sin had been passed on the earth. Somewhere around 4000 B.C. God reconditioned the earth in six literal twenty-four hour days. Gen. 1 contains an original creation, a judgment and a ruination, and then a re-creation.” (ibid, 135, 136)​

 

I just knew the dinosaurs fit in there somewhere!

 

So that's where Barney's ancestors came from!... Brother Glen

 

I've heard it all my life there was a war in heaven!... When did God ever allow war in his heaven?... Brother Glen

 

That it may be but you won't see me in that battle... Brother Glen

 

Then what is your view on the subject of creation?

 

Do you believe it happened 6000 years ago?

 

I completely reject the teaching that there is a gap between weeks 69 & 70 of Daniel 9.

 

... And between Genesis 1:1 & 1:2