Gap Theory

[RickG]

There are several versions of the GAP theory among Old Earth Creationists but the overall concept is the same. Here's a Wiki description:

"The Gap Theory is a form of old Earth creationism that posits that the six-day creation, as described in the Book of Genesis, involved literal 24-hour days (light being "day" and dark "night" as God specified), but that there was a gap of time between two distinct creations in the first and the second verses of Genesis, explaining many scientific observations, including the age of the Earth."​

So, let's discuss the pros and cons about it.

 

[lasthero]

I don't really know much about Gap Theory, but I am curious about its history. Is there any record of Gap Theory coming up before we understood how old the Earth was? A big problem to me is that it always seemed sort of...ad hoc. Like, an idea people only had after certain facts became apparent, and not something you'd pick up from a natural reading.

 

[AV1611VET]

There are several versions of the GAP theory among Old Earth Creationists but the overall concept is the same. Here's a Wiki description:

"The Gap Theory is a form of old Earth creationism that posits that the six-day creation, as described in the Book of Genesis, involved literal 24-hour days (light being "day" and dark "night" as God specified), but that there was a gap of time between two distinct creations in the first and the second verses of Genesis, explaining many scientific observations, including the age of the Earth."​

So, let's discuss the pros and cons about it.

I don't know much about the Gap theory.

I have used my Scofield Reference Bible, and his notes are to that effect.

One of the pros of Gap theology ... and one which I use from time to time ... is that it explains cratering on the earth and moon quite well.

One of its cons is a belief in a pre-Adamic race on the earth:

The "sons of God" vs the "daughters of men."

 

[RickG]

I don't really know much about Gap Theory, but I am curious about its history. Is there any record of Gap Theory coming up before we understood how old the Earth was? A big problem to me is that it always seemed sort of...ad hoc. Like, an idea people only had after certain facts became apparent, and not something you'd pick up from a natural reading.

I have heard several takes one it and I think it probably has become intermingled with "Day_Age Creationism somewhat, and that is why I started the thread in hope of some clarification.

If my understanding is correct, GAP keeps the literal 24 hr days in a 7 day creation, but places an unspecified gap time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. What occurs in the gap is in agreement with science supposedly. The day-age creationism I'm not to familiar with, but supposedly makes the days longer, thus thousands to millions of years.

Perhaps some of the GAP proponents will enlighten us.

 

[AV1611VET]

I have heard several takes one it and I think it probably has become intermingled with "Day_Age Creationism somewhat, and that is why I started the thread in hope of some clarification.

Day-age and Gap are two different things.

Day-age says the "days" of Genesis 1 are eons of time.

Gap says God created the earth, then n-years later, a cosmic battle took place that nearly destroyed it.

At this point, Genesis 1:2 kicks in and gives an account of God restoring the earth to its pristine condition.

 

[RickG]

Day-age and Gap are two different things.

Day-age says the "days" of Genesis 1 are eons of time.

Gap says God created the earth, then n-years later, a cosmic battle took place that nearly destroyed it.

At this point, Genesis 1:2 kicks in and gives an account of God restoring the earth to its pristine condition.

Could you provide some details of the gap?

 

[Oncedeceived]

Genesis 1 is the Universe Creation Narrative and Genesis 2 is the Spiritual man Creation Narrative. They are supplying two different views.

 

[AV1611VET]

Could you provide some details of the gap?

From Scofield's notes on Genesis 1:1

But three creative acts of God are recorded in this chapter: (1) the heavens and the earth, v. 1; (2) animal life, v. 21; and (3) human life, vs. 26,27. The first creative act refers to the dateless past, and gives scope for all the geologic ages.

From his notes on Genesis 1:2

Jer. 4:23-26, Isa. 24:1 and 45:18, clearly indicate that the earth had undergone a cataclysmic change as the result of a divine judgment. The face of the earth bears everywhere the marks of such a catastrophe. There are not wanting intimations which connect it with a previous testing and fall of angels. See Ezk. 28:12-15 and Isa. 14:9-14, which certainly go beyond the kings of Tyre and Babylon.

 

[AV1611VET]

More of Scofield's notes:

Notes on Genesis 1:3

Neither here nor in verses 14-18 is an original creative act implied. A different word is used. The sense is, made to appear; made visible. The sun and moon were created "in the beginning." The "light" of course came from the sun, but the vapour diffused the light. Later the sun appeared in an unclouded sky.

Notes on Genesis 1:11

It is by no means necessary to suppose that the life-germ of seeds perished in the catastrophic judgment which overthrew the primitive order. With the restoration of dry land and light the earth would "bring forth" as described. It was animal life which perished, the traces of which remain as fossils. Relegate fossils to the primitive creation, and no conflict of science with the Gensis cosmogony remains.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Day-age and Gap are two different things.

Day-age says the "days" of Genesis 1 are eons of time.

Gap says God created the earth, then n-years later, a cosmic battle took place that nearly destroyed it.

At this point, Genesis 1:2 kicks in and gives an account of God restoring the earth to its pristine condition.

This is it in a nutshell.

 

[AV1611VET]

This is it in a nutshell.

Thank you, sir!

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I don't really know much about Gap Theory, but I am curious about its history. Is there any record of Gap Theory coming up before we understood how old the Earth was? A big problem to me is that it always seemed sort of...ad hoc. Like, an idea people only had after certain facts became apparent, and not something you'd pick up from a natural reading.

Knowledge comes in bits and pieces (here a little, there a little). The church is always in a rush to nail down certain interpretations into doctrine. You gotta keep an open mind when studying the bible and don't allow it to become the "private interpretation" of any certain church. God gives us our entire lifetime to come to understanding. We must take advantage of that time.

 

[AV1611VET]

Knowledge comes in bits and pieces (here a little, there a little). The church is always in a rush to nail down certain interpretations into doctrine. You gotta keep an open mind when studying the bible and don't allow it to become the "private interpretation" of any certain church. God gives us our entire lifetime to come to understanding. We must take advantage of that time.

Just out of curiosity, do you use a Scofield?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Just out of curiosity, do you use a Scofield?

I don't but I'm going to obtain one.