Introduction Genesis 1:1-2 has been interpreted in many different ways, which leads to different views concerning the creation account. One such view is called the gap theory. This view postulates that there was a significant amount of time (eons) between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. The reason for the time gap is that Satan rebelled against God, and after that period of time, God had to recreate the universe. The grammar and syntax for Genesis 1:1-2 will be examined, with a focus on the phrase “formless and void” תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הו found in Genesis 1:2. Three scholars’ works will also be examined in order to show and prove that the gap theory is not an attainable view. Therefore, this paper will examine the gap theory and show that it is not a viable
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Waltke correctly states, “It makes a difference whether we come from a mass of matter or from the hand of God.” It is our understanding of how the world started that will shape our understanding of who God is and our relationship to Him. It is God who has revealed to us in Scripture the beginning of how the world began (Genesis 1:1). No one was there to verify the creation account, so our understanding of what took place is given to us in God’s revelation to man, which is His holy Word. One need not go any further than the first verse to understand that it is God who created the heavens and the earth. It is in verse 2 where the controversy of what took place next occurs. There are many different views that have been postulated including the gap theory. This view will be examined in detail and the conclusion will be made that it does not correlate with the biblical …show more content…
Scripture does not indicate that God judged the world when Satan rebelled against Him. To insinuate that “formless and void” in Jeremiah 4:23 and Isaiah 34:11 mean the same thing as found in Genesis 1:2 is “logically fallacious” as Waltke puts it. Further, Waltke makes the point that in 2 Peter 3:5-7, Peter makes no mention of God destroying His perfect creation prior to Genesis 1. Peter does speak about the destruction of the heavens and the earth. However, Waltke observes that Peter mentions only two judgments which include the flood and when God will destroy the earth by fire. There is no mention of God destroying the earth a third time which would have occurred in Genesis 1. Therefore, the gap theory cannot be sustained for these theological
Waltke correctly states, “It makes a difference whether we come from a mass of matter or from the hand of God.” It is our understanding of how the world started that will shape our understanding of who God is and our relationship to Him. It is God who has revealed to us in Scripture the beginning of how the world began (Genesis 1:1). No one was there to verify the creation account, so our understanding of what took place is given to us in God’s revelation to man, which is His holy Word. One need not go any further than the first verse to understand that it is God who created the heavens and the earth. It is in verse 2 where the controversy of what took place next occurs. There are many different views that have been postulated including the gap theory. This view will be examined in detail and the conclusion will be made that it does not correlate with the biblical …show more content…
Scripture does not indicate that God judged the world when Satan rebelled against Him. To insinuate that “formless and void” in Jeremiah 4:23 and Isaiah 34:11 mean the same thing as found in Genesis 1:2 is “logically fallacious” as Waltke puts it. Further, Waltke makes the point that in 2 Peter 3:5-7, Peter makes no mention of God destroying His perfect creation prior to Genesis 1. Peter does speak about the destruction of the heavens and the earth. However, Waltke observes that Peter mentions only two judgments which include the flood and when God will destroy the earth by fire. There is no mention of God destroying the earth a third time which would have occurred in Genesis 1. Therefore, the gap theory cannot be sustained for these theological