CRST 290: History of Life
Research Paper: Final Draft Assignment
The Gap Theory
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Abstract
The Bible tells God's self-revelation through two avenues, the special revelation, and the
natural world. This provides people a way of gaining a deeper understanding of both the
scriptures and the natural world help to increase our understanding of God's character. In
today’s context, many Christians deal with the challenging task of mixing their faith with
modern scientific knowledge, especially when it comes to the Genesis take of creation. It is
important to understand the obvious differences between scientific and biblical perspectives on
the origins of the universe. However, believers are called to lead lives of unwavering faith,
placing their trust in God and His unchanging character. The concept of the Gap Theory can be
divided into three key elements: a commitment to a "literal" interpretation of Genesis, an
acceptance of an exceptionally lengthy and unspecified age for the Earth, and the need to clarify
what transpired between Genesis 1:1 and 1:21. The Gap Theory presents a weak approach to
understanding Genesis, characterized by subjectivity and personal opinions.
Overview Gap Theory
The Gap Theory emerged as a way to bridge the gap between the Biblical narrative and
Charles Darwin’s evolutionary model. This theory fundamentally challenges the notion of a
literal six-day creation, each day lasting only twenty-four hours, by proposing that the geological
events verified by science predated the events described in Genesis. According to Gap Theory
proponents, Earth was created long before the events reported in the opening chapter of Genesis.
A main principle of this theory is the belief in a significant gap between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis
1:2.
The origins of the Gap Theory can be traced back to the writings of the Dutchman
Episcopius (1583-1643), but it gained more recognition through the lectures of Thomas
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Chalmers, a Scottish theologian who later became the first moderator of the Free Church of
Scotland. Chalmers is often credited with inventing the term “gap theory.” Since Chalmers’
publications do not provide complete insight into the theory’s origins, we have to rely on other
sources, such as the nineteenth-century geologist Hugh Miller, who referenced Chalmers’
lectures. Notably, G. H. Pember, through his 1884 book “Earth’s Earliest Ages,” played a key
role in popularizing this viewpoint during the nineteenth century.
The Gap Theory pivots on the notion that the creation week described In Genesis
occurred on an Earth that had already existed and was subsequently destroyed. Old Earth
creationism involves different range of beliefs, combined by their acceptance of a symbolic
interpretation of the word “day” in the Genesis account. According to this perspective, Genesis
1:1 represents a separate event from the six-day creation beginning in Genesis 1:3, with an
extended period in between during which the Earth remained formless and void (as described in
Genesis 1:2). Many supporters argue that the creation events shown in Genesis 1:1 and Genesis
1:3 are different events, with the break in between characterized in verse 2 as a state of “without
form and emptiness.” Essentially, these theorists state that the verb in verse two should be
interpreted as “became” rather than “was,” suggesting a process of “re-creation” leading to the
describing of the six-day creation narrative.
Response
In our mission to understand the origins of the Gap Theory, it becomes clear that we deal
with limitations in collecting all the specifics from Thomas Chalmers' publications. So, we must
turn to other sources, such as the nineteenth-century geologist Hugh Miller, who made mentions
Chalmers' lectures. Also, a key figure in the spread of the Gap Theory during the nineteenth
century was G. H. Pember, whose influential book "Earth's Earliest Ages" was published in
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1884.
The central idea of the Gap Theory revolves around the view that the creation week, as
described in the Book of Genesis, happened on an older planet that had dealt with destruction
before. While Old Earth creationism contains a broad range of beliefs, a common idea among its
supporters is their agreement of the symbolic interpretation of the word "day" in the Genesis
account.
Arthur Custance was a Canadian author and scientist who is known for his writings on
Christian apologetics and the relationship between science and faith. He was not the originator of
the Gap Theory, but he did write about it and offered his perspectives on the topic. Custance's
work, including his exploration of the Gap Theory, reflects his greater interest in harmonizing
scientific knowledge and Christian faith. His writings have been important among certain
Christian circles interested in understanding the relationship between the Bible and science. It's
important to note that the Gap Theory is just one of several interpretations of the creation
account in Genesis, and it has both supporters and critics within the Christian community.
In response to the Gap Theory, it has become imperative to evaluate the Old Earth belief
system, which differs from the traditional perspective on creation and the interpretation of
Genesis 1. To address this, it is important to start a thorough analysis of Genesis 1 within the
structure of the Hebrew language and the background evidence it presents. A person can observe
how the Hebrew language employs grammatical rules for recording history, which does not only
apply to Genesis, but spreading to other Old Testament passages, such as Exodus, Joshua, and
Judges.
Also, the Gap Theory faces criticism not just for the questions it attempts to address but
also for the problems it presents. For instance, Exodus 20:11 states, "For in six days the Lord
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created the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day,"
underscoring the traditional belief in a six-day creation. The Gap Theory's interpretation,
however, disrupts this understanding and introduces challenges to the timeline of creation,
implying suffering and chaos before the Fall, which challenges the biblical narrative.
These conflicts present significant theological challenges for those who identify as Christians.
The Gap Theory becomes doable only if one does not follow to the authority of the Bible.
Embracing this theory takes significant changes to fundamental Christian doctrines, essentially
signaling a departure from faith in the Bible's integrity as the Word of God. Therefore,
individuals supporting to this theory doubt the Bible's teachings.
Conclusion
In summary, the Gap Theory has possible drawbacks and threatens the foundational
principles of the Christian worldview. While on the surface, it may seem harmless to entertain
the possibility that the Gap Theory holds value, the reality is that accepting it reflects a lack in
faith. Christians are tasked with the responsibility of guarding against and rejecting any belief
that might lead them to compromise or question the authority of God. Also, endorsing the Gap
Theory implies a disregard for the teachings of our spiritual ancestors, whose wisdom and
insights have long served as the base of our faith. Dr. Terry Mortenson expresses this
perspective, highlighting the historical example of significant Christian theologians, from Martin
Luther to a period predating the control of Lyellian uniformitarianism, who followed to a literal
interpretation of Genesis 1-11.
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References
Boaheng, Isaac. 2020. “A Linguistic and Theological Assessment of the Gap Theory with
Particular Reference to Genesis 1:1-2b.”E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social
Sciences https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2020051.
McIver, T. (2019).Formless and Void: Gap Theory Creationism | National Center for Science
Education. Ncse.ngo. https://ncse.ngo/formless-and-void-gap-theory-creationism
Miller, H. (1865).The Testimony of the Rocks. Gould and Lincoln, New York, 1867
Morris, H. M. (2016, August 15).The gap theory-an idea with holes?Creation.com |Creation
Ministries International
Mortenson, T., & Mdiv. (n.d.)." Young-Earth Creationist View Summarized & Defended ".
https://assets.answersingenesis.org/doc/articles/pdf-versions/YEC-summary-defense.pdf
Unformed and Unfilled: A Critique of the Gap Theory - Creation Research Society. (n.d.).
Www.creationresearch.org. Retrieved November 7, 2023, from
https://www.creationresearch.org/store/products/BK-UNF1
Taylor, I. T. (2008).In the minds of men : Darwin and the new world order. Tfe Pub.
Trollinger, S., & Trollinger, W. (2017).The Bible and Creationism.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1121&context=eng_fac_pub
