The Gap Theory

[JBaker45]

Anybody heard about it?

 

[Critias]

Yup. The Gap Theory is based off of a translation of the word 'was' in Hebrew in Genesis 1:1 ; 1:2. It is called Gap because they believe there is a time gap between those two verses. They believe the word 'was' means 'to become' which is an alternate translation of the word.

Critism of this theory is that it became popular because of sciences' declaration of a very old earth. This critism is actually unfounded as the gap theory goes back before science came together as we see it today.

 

[nephilimiyr]

Critism of this theory is that it became popular because of sciences' declaration of a very old earth. This critism is actually unfounded as the gap theory goes back before science came together as we see it today.

Not true at all. The belief that there is a missing gap of time between the first and second verses in chapter 1 of Genesis was believed by the Israelites and in the early church. The belief was basically forgotten about during the middle ages and didn't become popular again until the 1800s. Yes I can assume it because popular again because of the new belief in evolution but the belief in the "gap theory" isn't a new belief but was once a very popular belief in the ancients.

 

[JBaker45]

Actually, it sounds like Critias and nephilimiyr are in agreement here ;-)

 

[Critias]

Not true at all. The belief that there is a missing gap of time between the first and second verses in chapter 1 of Genesis was believed by the Israelites and in the early church. The belief was basically forgotten about during the middle ages and didn't become popular again until the 1800s. Yes I can assume it because popular again because of the new belief in evolution but the belief in the "gap theory" isn't a new belief but was once a very popular belief in the ancients.

I think you might have misread what I said.

 

[justified]

It is still one of the worst theories out there. It was popularized by a guy named Dake who really went nuts with it; its popular resurgence in the 19th century was due to the evolutionary theory and such: a reaction really. There nearly no good evidence for it, and that evidence which does exist is based upon questionable exegesis.

 

[Micaiah]

Th Bible teaches that "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." In Exedus it teaches that God created the heavens and the earth in 6 day and rested on the seventh Exedus 20:11.

 

[nephilimiyr]

I think you might have misread what I said.

Yeah it looks like I did misread it...sorry.

 

[nephilimiyr]

Hi justified!

It is still one of the worst theories out there. It was popularized by a guy named Dake who really went nuts with it; its popular resurgence in the 19th century was due to the evolutionary theory and such: a reaction really. There nearly no good evidence for it, and that evidence which does exist is based upon questionable exegesis.

Actually, exegesis wise I think it's very sound however when it comes to the physical evidence I see problems with it.

The main thing is that before the 6 day reformation of the earth, roughly 6,000 years ago, there is no good evidence that a cataclysmic event took place. If you believe in the gap theory you have to believe in this cataclysmic event took place for it's the reason why you believe that the earth became without form and void.

 

[Micaiah]

Actually, exegesis wise I think it's very sound however when it comes to the physical evidence I see problems with it.

My understanding of the gap theory is that there was a material created order prior to the one spoken of in Genesis. I know of no verses in Scripture that provide an indication that this was the case. I'd hardly call that sound exegesis.

 

[justified]

Actually, exegesis wise I think it's very sound however when it comes to the physical evidence I see problems with it.

Riiight. There's only one verse in the bible that supports it (Genesis 1:1-2) and is based on a singular word, and a misunderstanding of how ancient creation myths functioned generally. There is no exegesis involved! What is sound about the exegesis? I know Hebrew, and the different words between "create" and "make" is a very poor argument for the Gap Theory.

 

[JBaker45]

Hi justified!


Actually, exegesis wise I think it's very sound however when it comes to the physical evidence I see problems with it.

The main thing is that before the 6 day reformation of the earth, roughly 6,000 years ago, there is no good evidence that a cataclysmic event took place. If you believe in the gap theory you have to believe in this cataclysmic event took place for it's the reason why you believe that the earth became without form and void.

On the off chance that you are basing that 6,000 year figure on the biblical geniology accounts..

I would like to point out that nearly all Bible scholars understand that the genealogies of the Bible are not meant to be all-inclusive. The genealogies of Genesis, in particular, are stylized (10 names to a person with 3 sones, then again 10 names to a person with 3 sons).

From Adam to Noah are 10 generations; then Noah had three sons, one of whom served as the line of the promise.
From Noah to Terah are 10 generations; then Terah had three sons, one of whom served as the line of the promise.

Thus I know of no Bible scholar who postulates a 4000 B.C. date for the creation.

Hope you find this interesting

 

[JBaker45]

Riiight. There's only one verse in the bible that supports it (Genesis 1:1-2) and is based on a singular word, and a misunderstanding of how ancient creation myths functioned generally. There is no exegesis involved! What is sound about the exegesis? I know Hebrew, and the different words between "create" and "make" is a very poor argument for the Gap Theory.

Okay, here is one more for you to think about...

2 Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2 Peter 3:6 By which the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which now are, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Note that the flood spoken of here can not be the flood of Noah, because in this flood everthing perished!

And is it not the case that the earth which is now is not the origonal one but a recreated earth??

 

[Micaiah]

Okay, here is one more for you to think about...

2 Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2 Peter 3:6 By which the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which now are, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Note that the flood spoken of here can not be the flood of Noah, because in this flood everthing perished!

And is it not the case that the earth which is now is not the origonal one but a recreated earth??

Tenuous in the extreme. Where does it say everything perished. It says the world was destroyed. It is a clear reference to Noah's flood. And who said the earth that now exists is not the one God created.

And is it not the case that the earth which is now is not the origonal one but a recreated earth??[/

No, it is not the case unless you believe in the gap theory.

 

[GenemZ]

Yup. The Gap Theory is based off of a translation of the word 'was' in Hebrew in Genesis 1:1 ; 1:2. It is called Gap because they believe there is a time gap between those two verses. They believe the word 'was' means 'to become' which is an alternate translation of the word.

Critism of this theory is that it became popular because of sciences' declaration of a very old earth. This critism is actually unfounded as the gap theory goes back before science came together as we see it today.

The reason some change it to was (which is a possible translation) is because of what the Hebrew does say. To the Hebrew reader it says something that English translations often times leave flat with academically correct translations, but fail to see the intent behind what was said.

I will illustrate this way. I will use Henry Ford and his creation as to why many render "was" to mean, "became."

"In the beginning Henry Ford created the Model T.

(the Hebrew has an indicator for a pause here)....

"And, the Model T was on cinder blocks, rusting out, and full of overgrowth."

Now?

I used the word, was.

Right?

But, to the English reader knowing the meaning of the words used? And what they indicate? The reader can know it became that way!

For we know Henry Ford did not create the Model T to be that way!

So? For those readers who understand the meaning of "tohu wa bohu" in the Hebrew text? Some of them tried to explain better what was written by using "became." For God did not create the world to be wreak and havoc, and having an eerie sense of desolate emptiness. The Hebrew shows that is what it had to 'become', yet by expressing it as 'was.' Just like I used 'was' in how Ford's Model T became.

And, the GAP understanding was not some new perspective that was mustered up after Darwin's theory became popular for a defence of the Bible. For many centuries before evolution was even dreamed of scholars of the Hebrew saw that something had gone on. That it involved another creation prior to this one.

Here is one source to verify what I just mentioned.

http://www.custance.org/Library/WFANDV/chap1.html

In fact, it was Darwin's theory that brought this old teaching back to the forefront of theology! It was not concocted as a response to TOE, as misinformed YEC's push on us. They have no idea what they are talking about when it comes to this. Its a teaching that was understood long before TOE was dropped on the cosmos.

Interesting it becomes once we can hear the other side...

Grace and truth, GeneZ

 

[Micaiah]

Can we have anything but a tenuous interpretation of one word to validate this theory.

 

[nephilimiyr]

Can we have anything but a tenuous interpretation of one word to validate this theory.

Even though it's not just about one word that validates this theory but even if it was about one word I could say the exact same thing what you just said about the theory you believe in.

 

[GenemZ]

Th Bible teaches that "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." In Exedus it teaches that God created the heavens and the earth in 6 day and rested on the seventh Exedus 20:11.

Wrong on your part.

In the beginning God CREATED. (Genesis 1:1)

The Hebrew says that God CREATED something out from nothing!


Exodus 20:11 ?


"For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy."

The Lord MADE from what God had already CREATED!

One can not make something unless the materials to make it are already created! It is like the carpenter does not create the lumber to make a house! The Hebrew words have specific meanings. This one you did not catch. I did (others have, too). Now you have it as it is written.

Grace and peace, GeneZ

 

[shernren]

Interesting it becomes once we can hear the other side...

Glad to have seen you again after a long break. But nope, still not much hearing going on here. More talk than listen. Sigh.

For me, well, there's still the burning question of the scientific evidence. AFAIK of Gap Theory the scientific evidence required would be about the same as that of YECism, in both cases showing a monumental (re-, for Gap Theorists) creation happening about 6,000 years ago.

JBaker: Wasn't Ussher a Bible scholar? well, I think that once one is willing to take the genealogies and the rest of Genesis 1-11 at a non-historical level - that those lifespans given are not real lifespans - then there really isn't a motivation to believe anything other than TEism.

 

[GenemZ]

Can we have anything but a tenuous interpretation of one word to validate this theory.

Please! Did you even read what I told you???????

I just showed you how it does not change, even when using the word of your choice!

It makes no difference if it is interpreted "was", or "became." Did you read that?

The YEC's have been trying to filter out a gnat and ignoring the camel walking straight ahead over them! Read what I wrote, again. I even left it at "was." Which is the choice interpretation of YEC's.

I showed you how it makes no difference in the light of what all the other words in the Hebrew are saying. Not, simply one word, as the YEC's try to make it to be!

GAP demands that you analyze and think through the details. YEC's only give a superficial put down of this understanding.

Here is an illustration of the point, again.

"In the beginning Henry Ford created the Model T........

"And, the Model T was on cinder blocks, rusting out, and full of overgrowth."

That is the equivalent condition of the earth in Genesis 1:2. What it "became." Yet, was being narrated to show what it "was." As if the scene was flashing forward from the beginning, to a present state.

It does not matter if it says "was." Anyone knowing the language knows it had to "become" that way. The account of the Creation was written in dramatic form. It was intended to be read out loud to be heard by a congregation of listeners. It was written in a dramatic way, as to draw in the imagination of the hearer. Sort of like a story script for a radio broadcast. Another way to reveal how what was said could be as follows.......

"In the beginning the World Trade Center was created by the Wyeth and Brown architect firm..... (pause)

And, the twin towers was smoldering and leveled into chared burning ruined heap."

Once again, I used the word "was" to describe the state of the Twin Towers as we were finding it in the narrative. Yet, from what we know from our understanding the English language, we know it was not created that way! That it had to BECOME that way!

That is why there was a debate if the Hebrew word was "was," or "became!" For, those who understood what the Hebrew was really saying, knew that God would not have created it that way in the beginning!

Are you getting this point? Its not difficult to see if one is willing to look at what is there. YEC's brainwash their listeners. I am afraid I may not be able to get through unless someone is truly seeking truth, and not desiring to defend their home team simply because they were born there. The Hebrew demands an interpretation that is consistent with what the words imply in their meaning. The only other time "to wa bohu" is used to desribe the state of the planet is used in Jeremiah 4, to show a great judgement and distruction wrought by God! Same exact Hebrew words!

Jeremiah 4 NASB

20Disaster on disaster is proclaimed,
For the whole land is devastated;
Suddenly my tents are devastated,
My curtains in an instant.

23I looked on the earth, and behold, it was formless and void;
And to the heavens, and they had no light.
24I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking,
And all the hills moved to and fro.
25I looked, and behold, there was no man,
And all the birds of the heavens had fled.
26I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a wilderness,
And all its cities were pulled down
Before the LORD, before His fierce anger.
27For thus says the LORD,
"The whole land shall be a desolation,
Yet I will not execute a complete destruction. "

God was saying that this will not be as bad as the judgement Jeremiah was referring back to. For, in this case, there will not be a complete destruction like we had in Genesis 1:2! That's the point that YEC's are oblivious to.

"Formless and void", is a very mild interpretation of Tohu wa bohu. It means, "wreak and havoc... chaos"... and... having a sense of an eerie emptiness (like Hiroshima appeared in a cloud of darkeness right after the atomic bomb leveled the city).

What we often times find is watered down translations into the English that gives the GAP understanding its bad name. Not, what it says in the Hebrew when properly put in its context.

Grace and knowledge.... GeneZ

2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.