Biblegems #137
Question: Is there a significant gap in time
between the creation of the heavens and earth in Genesis 1:1 and a re-creation
of the universe in verse 2 following some kind of devastating judgment or
cataclysmic event?
This question
represents a view of creation known as the “Gap Theory.” This theory was made
popular in the late 1800’s and on into the 20th century by Rev. C.I.
Scofield.
In
commenting on Genesis 1:1, Scofield writes: “The first creative act refers to
the dateless past, and gives scope for all the geologic ages.”[i]
Then, in reference to Genesis 1:2, he says: “Jer. 4:23-26, Is. 24:1 and 45:18,
clearly indicate that the earth had undergone a cataclysmic change as the
result of a divine judgment.”[ii]
He goes on to suggest that the fall of Lucifer from heaven (Ezek. 28;12-15; Is.
14:9-14) likely happened during this ‘Gap,’ accounting for the destruction of
God’s original pristine creation.
The
first question we need to ask is: does Genesis 1:1-2 teach a gap in time during which God’s original creation was
destroyed and then re-created? In answering this question, use this fundamental
principle of biblical interpretation: ‘The Scripture is clear when the
interpreter follows basic grammatical rules.’ The answer, then, is “No,”
Genesis 1:1-2 does not teach this gap
in time. In fact, it is not even implied.
The
clear interpretation of the passages Scofield refers to in Jeremiah 4 and
Isaiah 24 speak prophetically of God’s future judgment on the nations at the
return of the Lord, and give no indication of referring to some gap in time in
Genesis. And Scofield’s reference in Isaiah 45:18 speaks to the purpose of
creation, not to any supposed re-creation.
So then
what is the clear teaching of Genesis 1:1-2?
Simply
this: verse 1 tells us about God. He
is the Creator. All that exists (“the
heavens and the earth”) exists by His will.
Verse 2
begins the account of creation with a description of the raw materials brought
into existence at the moment of its conception. “The earth” (Heb. eretz,
Lit., “land,” or “ground”) in this context does not refer to the globe we call earth
because in verse 2 the “earth” has no
shape. It is “formless.” Rather,
earth in this context is equivalent to “matter,” the material stuff the universe
is composed of. This earth, or matter, is also described as “empty,” (Heb. tohu)—a word that indicates “chaos.” Also, at the very moment of creation there
was no light whatsoever, and among the chaotic material floating in the
darkness was a shapeless body of water (“the
deep”).
That is
the clear, straightforward meaning of the passage. But beyond its surface meaning
there is another important, theological, consideration. If there had been a Gap
in time that caused the fossil record (a record of death) of geological ages before
Adam and Eve, then the statement in Romans 5:12 would be false:
…sin entered the world through one man, and death through
sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—
But in fact:
Rom. 5:21 … just as sin reigned in death, so also
grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord!
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