In both cases, evolutionary time is inserted into the biblical account with no direct evidence. This survey outlines the major views on creation and the age of the earth advocated by christians and jews throughout history. The gap theory page a page about creation from the gap theory point of view. The gap theory, also known as the ruinreconstruction theory or gap creationism, suggests that a time gap equaling millions or perhaps even billions of years occurred between genesis 1. And so the adherents of the gap theory see genesis l.
Remind them of these things, charging them before the lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. The gap theory has also been called the restitution hypothesis, meaning that the creation narrative in genesis is not about the original creation, but about the restitution of a fallen creation. The gap theory does not rest on internal exegesis of the text of genesis 1 interpreted in the light of the subsequent scriptures that allude to and comment on it. Satans sin as it relates to the gap theory paper 148d. I decline to use revelation to describe this theory because it certainly wasnt a divine knowledge. I would like to suggest the following reasons why the gap theory should be rejected. Jan 16, 2014 an animated presentation explaining the ruinreconstruction interpretation of the bibles genesis creation account, also known as the gap theory. An animated presentation explaining the ruinreconstruction interpretation of the bibles genesis creation account, also known as the gap theory. In 1814, as a response to scientists who were beginning to teach that the earth was billions of years in age, chalmers theorized a gap in time between genesis 1. No one claims to know for sure exactly how long this gap lasted. It is not to show a sequence which the gap theory stipulates even though the two events in the sequence are an untold time span apart. The gap theory did not arise merely from a study of scripture, it arose to solve the problem of the bible and time. The gap theory of the bible in genesis chapter one proposes that a long period of time, an ambiguous gap, separates the first two verses of the bible genesis 1. This brief overview shows that the gap theory is not biblical.
Argueably the most foundation damaging view in christian circle is the gap theory. This is all mans theory to explain that the earths state isnt his fault but the fault of this or that or this person or. The ancient earth and the angels an introduction to the ancient earths first inhabitants, the. This paper is a critique of the gap theory, which posits is a lengthy gap of geological time between gen 1. This theory is one of several old earth creationism views. Chapter sthe gap theory is there a gap between genesis 1. The creation gap theory and satans ability to create life paper 148e. Dec 18, 2016 according to the genesis gap theory, there are millions, or even billions of years lapse between genesis 1. Or, as expressed by weston fields, it was in 1814 that dr. Gap theory because it proposes a gap in the narrative of scripture be tween the first and second verses of the first chapter of genesis. The gap theory was a new idea that you will never find in past church history until it first came out in about 1814. According to the genesis gap theory, there are millions, or even billions of years lapse between genesis 1.
The gap theory is the view that god created a fully functional earth with all animals, including the dinosaurs and. After this, god supposedly recreated the earth in six normallength days. The modified gap theory or precreation chaos gap theory, which is the proposed gap between genesis 1. The ancient earth and the angels an introduction to the ancient earths first inhabitants, the sons of god.
The four 4 creations across the timeline of the holy bible there are four distinct and separate creations and regenerations of the heavens and the earth. Many sincere christians have interpreted genesis 1 in ways that avoid conflicts with science. We now begin our study of cosmogony, which deals with the theories of the creation or origin of the. The bible, genesis and geology gap theory of creationism. Each of the six days represents a geological age covering millions of years. As a response to the scientific community, chalmers theorized a gap in time between genesis 1. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of god was hovering over the waters. Thus the gap theory is a subtle form of theistic evolution. Creation theories and what catholics must believe documents old testament documents church doctrine there are several different theories of creation that 21 st century christian scholars embrace.
Into this gapbelieved by many to be billions of yearsthey want to place all the major geological phenomena that have shaped the world. The gap theory is false because of the mental gymnastics necessary to force its strained argumentation to agree with the actual biblical text. One of the popular devices for trying to accommodate the evolutionary ages of the geologists and astronomers in the creation record of the bible has been the gap theoryalso called the ruinandreconstruction theory. The gap theory or better termed, gap principle is not a fundamental doctrine of the faith. The gap theory is intended to harmonize the genesis creation account with science, not only allowing for an old earth, but also. And thus, the days of creation in genesis are actually recreative days as god is now setting the earth to place man upon that earth. Langford first contemplated in the fall of 1952 more extensive notes were gathered in the 1970s expanded the material in 2010 section one an examination of the first chapter of genesis answering the question is the initial creation of the heavens and earth, as described in genesis 1. The gap theory is an early and significant attempt by christian theologians to explain the apparent short scale of world history found in genesis, in order to reduce or remove conflict with the popular belief that geologists since 1700 have provided undeniable evidence that the world is exceedingly old currently estimated at 4. The gap theory flood and the age of the earth paper 148g. However this brief paper will help you to know the argument. If you know of a pro genesis gap or gap theory website. Be diligent to present yourself approved to god, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. This fact alone should make the entire theory suspect.
He suggested that in this gap of millions or even billions of years, a previously unknown people group and world could have existed and that this preadamic group of people rebelled against god and were subsequently wiped out and destroyed in gods. Thomas chalmers of edinburgh university first proposed what has since become known as the gap theory of genesis 1. There are several different theories of creation that 21 st century christian scholars embrace. Chalmers, therefore, proposed the gap theory to harmonize genesis with the demands of those geologists. It was an attempt to harmonize the lengthy time periods, or ages, with genesis. Some believe that angels existed on earth during this period. The gap theory doesnt just insert a gap of time in order to give room for geological eras. The gap theory, which is distinct from theistic evolution and the dayage theory, is also called oldearth creationism, gap creationism, and the ruinreconstruction theory. The gap theory attempts to resolve the apparent conflict between scripture and modern geology by inserting a gap of unknown time between the first two verses of genesis 1. Rather, it rests on postulating, presumably somewhere in genesis 1.
Its popularity has decreased in recent years but it is still widely taught in some biblebelieving schools. Another says that similar to other ancient creation myths, the account in genesis 1 must be symbolic, not literal. Proponents of the gap theory also postulate that a cataclysmic judgment was pronounced upon the earth. The classical gap theory inserts the gap between genesis 1. One popular interpretation of genesis 1 shoehorns a millionsofyears gap between verses 1 and 2.
This is when god created both the stars and the earth that we live on. Theres a huge debate on genesis chapter 1 verse 1 and verse 2. Study the bible, learn about jesus christ, get christian living advice online. Its background the gap theory was first proposed in 1814 by a scottish minister named chalmers. 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. Kent hovind 61917 the false gap theory about genesis. It records not only the beginning of the heavens and the earth, and of plant, animal, and human life, but also of all human. According to weston fields, author of the definitive anti gap book unformed and unfilled,7 the traditional or classical gap theory can be. If the author of genesis wanted to show a sequence even a gap of time as postulated by the gap theory, the typical wawconsecutive on an imperfect verb would have been used. Introduction one of the theories which attempts to harmonize the bible with. If the author of genesis wanted to show a sequence even a gap of time as postulated by the gap theory, the typical wawconsecutive on an. An examination of the first chapter of genesis by jack w. Some believe that dinosaurs existed on earth during this time.
Jul 03, 2015 the gap theory attempts to resolve the apparent conflict between scripture and modern geology by inserting a gap of unknown time between the first two verses of genesis 1. An entire generation was fed this theory through the scofield reference bible. And the spirit of god moved upon the face of the waters. Notes on the gap theory by mike stallard introduction below is a discussion of one of the major interpretations of the genesis account of creation, the gap theory. Bernard ramm, a progressive creationist, has admitted as much. The fact that the word for create is used only 3 times is genesis 1 is one of the strongest arguments for the gap theory and its belief that genesis 1 desribes the recreation of the earth in 6 days. Since there is almost no information on this subject on the web, we built a repository an armory, here, to store it. According to the young earth creationists the gap theory is of recent origin and was only formulated to counter the rise of modern. T he gap or ruinreconstruction theory aims to fit the alleged millions of years of earth and universe history into a postulated gap between the first and second verses of genesis chapter one. The gap theory overview and history of the genesis gap doctrine ruinreconstruction interpretation of oldearth creationism.
Gap creationism is a form of old earth creationism that posits that the sixyom creation period, as described in the book of genesis, involved six literal 24hour. Of the three major types, strict youngearth flood geology creation is the best knownindeed, it is often assumed that all creationists are of this. In fact, several gap models have been proposed over the years for one. Adam was not created until which day of the creation week gen.
This ruinreconstruction interpretation of genesis was the bread and butter creation doctrine of the protestant fundamentalist church in the early part of the 20th century. The gap theory postulates that an indefinite span of time exists between genesis 1. This belief is based on the second verses statement that the earth was without form and void. Following this, the standard events of cosmic evolution took. Nevertheless i am increasingly convinced that it is a matter that needs to be addressed.
This time span is usually considered to be quite large millions of years and is also reputed to encompass the socalled geologic ages. Is there evidence for the gap theory of the bible in genesis. Many adherents of the gap theory claim that the grammar of genesis 1. The gap theories of creation 78 adamic world before the creation recounted in genesis chapter one.
The controversy has centred upon whether or not there is a chronological gap of unspecified duration within the compass of what, at first glance, seems to be continuous narrative. Biblical scholars trying to find out the proper proof on these verses. The gap theory is an attempt to reconcile what secular scientists believe about geology, paleontology, and cosmology with the sixday creation story in genesis 1. Why the gap theory wont work the institute for creation.
How genesis undermines the gap theory by phil robinson. The gap theory arose when modern science began to argue for an ancient earth and universe. There is no clear record of anyone prior to 1814 interpreting genesis 1. So instead of stretching the days as the dayage theory does or denying that they are days in history framework hypothesis, they insert a gap between a supposed initial creation and the six days. The following texts and sermons all deal with one subject matter. In the beginning, god created the heaven and the earth. What has been called the gap theory was a popular and consistent explanation of the first chapter of genesis among fundamental, evangelistic christians up through the mid1900s. We believe that the focus should be on spreading the gospel and have decided to remove all monetization. This theory did not arise from contemplation of scripture, but was an attempt to harmonize the genesis account. The gap theory doesnt just insert a gap of time in order to give room for geological. It is, in fact, a compromise of the truth of genesis, which arose when christian leaders tried to accommodate the millions of years claimed for fossil layers. What gap theory teaches the gap theory teaches that an enormous period of time passed between the events described in the first verse of genesis and those described in the second verse. Kent hovinds awesome and inspiring bible studies now live and ad free. Creation theories and what catholics must believe documents old testament documents church doctrine.
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