Genesis 1:1-2, The Gap Principle

Genesis 1:1-2, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

There is considerable debate over these two Bible verse. I am of the belief that there was a gap of time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2, in which period dinosaurs lived in a pre-human world. Although some Bible students refer to this as the “Gap Theory,” I agree with Pastor Max D. Younce that it should be called the “Gap Principle,” because it is really not a theory, it is Bible. I highly encourage you to read Dr. Younce's excellent book (available for purchase or free online in .PDF format) titled: 'The Truth About Evolution; Or, Don't Let Satan Make A Monkey Out Of You.' 

I won't get into it heavily, because Dr. Younce does this in his book, explaining the Hebrew usage of words in the account of Creation in Genesis chapter 1. In Genesis 1:1 we find the Hebrew word “bara,” signifying that God created the universe from absolutely nothing. 2nd 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:” God literally spake the universe into existence from nothing, as only a supernatural omnipotent (all-powerful) God could do. 

We have seen much science-fiction from Hollywood, suggesting that life as we know it on earth began with aliens, who visited earth before mankind. In a very real sense, they are right, because God is an alien by definition. I do not believe in little green men or flying space ships, but one must concede that God is extraterrestrial (beyond the earth). Angels are celestial. 1st Corinthians 15:40, “There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.”

We further read in Genesis 1:1 that the earth was without form and void. Genesis 1:1-2, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” This chaotic condition of creation seems to contradicts Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” How could the earth be without form? How could the earth by void?

Some theologians attribute this chaotic condition to a cataclysmic event millions of years ago, which would agree with scientists, who tell us that there was such an event:

The Chicxulub impactor was an asteroid or comet that crashed into Earth about 66 million years ago and left behind a crater off the coast of Mexico that spans 93 miles and goes 12 miles deep. Its devastating impact brought the reign of the dinosaurs to an abrupt end.

SOURCE: The Cataclysm That Killed The Dinosaurs

The Holy Bible dates Creation as we know it today at approximately 4,000 BC. Human civilization did not exist prior to 6,000 years ago. The history of human civilization easily verifies this truth. Research Egyptian history, which is the oldest recorded civilization, and you will find that it falls within this biblical time period. It would appear from science that a cataclysmic event rendered the earth without form and void for millions of years, and then God REMODELED creation beginning in Genesis 1:2 and the remainder of the chapter. 

Although the teaching of an Old Earth Creation (OEC) may seem a bit strange, it makes FAR MORE SENSE than the bizarre claims of advocates of a Young Earth Creation (YEC).

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” —Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

It is my humble opinion as a born-again Christian for 41 years (since age 13 in 1980), and as a fundamentalists Baptist preacher for most of my life, that the YEC crowd are blind to science. Science supports an Old Earth Creation. And for that matter, so does the Bible. Psalm 102:25, “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.” Although some preachers like Kent Hovind and Ken Ham attempt to make this issue about the Gospel, to demonize OEC advocates, there is no evidence to show that one's doctrinal position in this matter (either way) corrupts one's salvation beliefs. If you adhere to a YEC view, God bless you friend, I won't condemn you. I am a firm adherent to an OEC view. 

In 1974, Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) preached a wonderful Wednesday Bible study series titled: 'DEMONOLOGY.' This was during the time of the 1973 popular film, The Exorcist. Many people were curious, parents were concerned, and the subject of demonology was of key interest in the churches. This series is Dr. Hutson's take on the subject, which is fascinating. Pastor Hutson explains the origin of Satan and the demons, and in so doing delves into an Old Earth Creation, explaining why he supports this biblical position. 

Granted, Dr. Hutson's predecessor, Evangelist John R. Rice (1895-1980) held to a YEC view. These two dear men of God were both longtime editors of the Sword Of The Lord newspaper. So regardless of what you believe regarding the age of the earth, always keep soulwinning the main thing dear friend. Debating doctrine sheds more heat than light. I refuse to debate with religious people about anything. I simply preach what I believe, like it or lump it. I receive invitations all the time from Facebook groups who want to debate. I simply won't waste my time trying to convince religious people who are already indoctrinated in their beliefs.

Let's get back to Creation, shall we. Here's an eye-opening quote from Dr. Younce's aforementioned book, 'The Truth About Evolution; Or, Don't Let Satan Make A Monkey Out Of You,' which well explains the concept of REMODLEING on page 111...

CHAPTER TWELVE

THE REMODELING

We have previously discussed the difference between "created" ( Hebrew "bara") and "made" (Hebrew "asah"). To briefly refresh your memory; "created" means that God created something that at no time in the past had ever existed. "Made," on the other hand means "to form, assemble, and arrange from its previous state of usefulness to that form of beautification, so as to be used by God for His purpose."

It is interesting to notice that from Genesis 1:1 where God created the heavens and the earth; the word "created" (Hebrew "bara") does not appear again until the Fifth Day in Verse 20. Everything from Verse 2 to Verse 19 has to do with remodeling the earth in four days. These elements had previously been associated with the Original Creation, where Lucifer and the angels resided. Lucifer's sin brought about God's judgment on the earth, rendering it "without form and void." The angels are now disembodied spirit beings, leaving the earth uninhabitable and in a chaotic ruin. Now let us see what elements, which were previously created and were with the Original Creation, that God is now going to reactivate and position in His remodeling process.

1. Water. - Nowhere does it say from Verses 2 to 19 that water was created to be used as part of the renovation of the earth. Why would that be? Very simply, because water had already been created and in existence at the Original Creation. Notice in Genesis 1:2, it was water that God used to cover the earth as part of His judgment on the Original Creation (Genesis 1:2).

SOURCE: The Truth About Evolution; Or, Don't Let Satan Make A Monkey Out Of You, by Dr. Max D. Younce

I encourage you to read the entire book by Dr. Younce. Brother Younce in my humble opinion is the Dr. John R. Rice of our generation. I sincerely mean that. Interestingly, Dr. Rice was 31 years older than Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001). Likewise, Pastor Younce is 31 years older than I am. I do truly feel like Pastor Younce is my John Rice, and I am Jack Hyles looking up to him. I have learned so much from Dr. Younce. Another great book by Dr. Younce is titled: 'The Case For Capital Punishment: How It Saved My Life.'

Let's move on some more. Genesis 1:1-2, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Anytime you see a capital “S” in the Bible referring to a spirit, it is the blessed Holy Spirit. So we learn that water was created in Genesis 1:1 along with the earth itself. It does seem plausible that the only way God's creation could have ended up without form and void, full of darkness, is that something bad happened which made it as such. That is my opinion and I think the Scripture supports it.

There are many other reasons why I choose to believe in an Old Earth. I will say something though that really bothers me. Many unscrupulous men have exploited the biblical subject of creation for filthy lucre's sake. I have a serious problem with Ken Ham making $37,000,000 each year from Answers-In-Genesis. That money is all being funneled away from New Testament churches and missionaries on the foreign mission field. There is only so much money available. The average church has annual revenues of about $90,000. Why does Ken Ham need 222 times that each year, selling junk theology about dinosaurs riding Noah's ark?

Furthermore, the Ark Encounter in Kentucky has already made BILLIONS in profits. The project was for profit (about making money) from the very get-go. I just have a big problem with millionaire preachers, let along one like Ken Ham that rakes in billions! I think it is a sin, very unethical, and a disgrace. In my humble opinion, Ken Ham is an enemy of the churches, parasiting off them. What does he do with all that ridiculous amounts of money he makes? These men are exploiting a niche in Christendom. The topic of evolution and creation is so massively popular worldwide, that a religious conman can easily become millionaire almost overnight. Henry Morris III is another one to avoid. I don't like these men, nor do I trust them.

I am frustrated that so many churchgoers today are gullible enough to believe that Noah took dinosaurs aboard the ark 4,500 years ago. It is bad science!!! When a professed Christian tells someone that they think dinosaurs lived 5,000 years ago, sensible people rightly avoid them, thinking that they are woefully ignorant, in the same boat as proponents of a flat earth. Right doctrine matters, which is the title I chose for my blog. It is an appropriate titled in these confusing times of woeful deceit, blatant heresy, false Bibles and doctrinal corruption in the churches. Thank you for reading this my friend.