Genesis
Foundation Book of the Bible
The Gap Theory in Creationism
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is to focus on the creation of our universe by God. Of special note in this lesson is the fallacy of the perspective that there was a gap in time between God’s initial creation and the six days of creation that followed.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand the process of creation as recorded in Genesis 1.
- Feel: Defend the process of creation as recorded in Genesis 1.
- Do: Use the information gained from Genesis to strengthen our faith.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as “right or wrong” responses.
This theory contends that there was a tremendous gap in time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. During this time Satan rebelled which led to the earth being destroyed and left blank and void. This is done to explain the alleged billions of years of fossils being built up. Verse 2 begins after this gap where God "recreates" the world.
Scientific – A cataclysmic destruction of the earth would have destroyed all evidence, especially fossil evidence of a previous creation.
Biblical – Several scriptures show that the Gap Theory is not valid. Romans 5:12, I Corinthians 15:21, and Romans 6:23.
Moses records the activities with the conjunction, "and" showing continuous activities.
And the earth was formless and void (simple space and matter brought into existence), and darkness was on the face of the deep (this is an additional description of the condition of the earth with time, space and matter having been created). Matter had not yet been energized.
"…the Spirit of God moved over the surface of the waters." The Holy Spirit, as part of the Godhead, brings energy to creation resulting in form. Following this statement we see the actions of God continuing to create until He rested on the seventh day.
God offers us a simple explanation of His creation in Genesis 1. Sinful man tries to complicate or explain it away which weakens our faith. The attempt to weaken our faith is one of the strategies Satan uses to keep us from knowing and obeying God. We must simply accept God's word as truth, even if we don't fully understand it. God will grant us understanding as He wills. If we do not accept God's account of creation, we then undermine the truthfulness of all other scripture, especially His promise to reconcile us to Him through Jesus.