I was appointed before the world, before the start, before the earth's beginnings.I was appointed before the world, before the start, before the earth's beginnings. apparent age of the earth compared with the genealogies stated in the Bible create problems in the minds of many, both unbelievers and Christians. I believe that there is an answer. It is known as the "pre-Adamic creation" or gap theory. It presents the view that between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 is a considerable, but unknown time.
The evidence for this view is as follows
1. The word "was" in verse 2 can just as readily be translated "became". Earlier editions of the NIV had this is as an alternative translation.
2. We need to know the difference between "create", "form" and "make". Watchman Nee (Mystery of Creation) puts it like this:
"Genesis and Geology 11 In the first two chapters of Genesis three different words are used for the act of creation: (1) “bara”—calling into being without the aid of pre-existing material. This we have already touched upon; (2) “asah”—which is quite different from “bara,” since the latter denotes the idea of creating without any material whereas “asah” signifies the making, fashioning, or preparing out of existing material. For instance, a carpenter can make a chair, but he cannot create one. The works of the Six Days in Genesis are mainly of the order of “asah”; (3) “yatsar”—which means to shape or mould as a potter does with clay. This word is used in Genesis 2.7 as follows: “And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground.” Interestingly, Isaiah 43.7 illustrates the meaning and connection of all three of these words: “every one that is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yea, whom I have made.” “Created” signifies a calling into being out of nothing; “formed” denotes a fashioning into appointed form; and “made” means a preparing out of pre-existing materials."
3. Other references confirm that God created the earth as an inhabitable place initially:
Isaiah 45:18 (Darby): "For thus saith Jehovah who created the heavens, God himself who formed the earth and made it, he who established it, -- not as waste did he create it: he formed it to be inhabited: -- I [am] Jehovah, and there is none else."
The same verse, NIV: "For this is what the LORD says-- he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited-- he says: "I am the LORD, and there is no other."'
In Genesis 1:1 we read that God created. In Exodus 20:11 we read that God God made the heavens and the earth and the sea. It's not the only reference to God forming the earth we now inhabit.
If this interpretation is correct, then it removes many of the objections that doubters and sceptics have about the Genesis account. Personally, I believe the "gap theory" to be correct. To me, it fits the character of God. Why would He create something formless, empty, a wasteland?
This is not an issue of salvation nor a doctrine meant to divide. It is an explanation that was considered correct by some in the early church and also some early Jewish writings mention it. This was before modern geology began to sow seeds of doubt as to the accuracy of the Genesis account.
This subject matter is covered in "The Mystery of Creation" by Watchman Nee. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in the subject.