The "Gap"?

[Praxeas]

Let's talk theories, not clothing outlets. In this case it does not refer to eschatology but "the beginning". The basic theory is that the earth was already in existence at the beginning and it was essentially "reformed".

Ive considered this theory before I ever knew there was one. In my thinking the earth had already gone through a cycle of "creation" lasted thousands and thousands of years, came to an end. Then it was destroyed and "terra formed" all over again. Any thoughts?

[UnTraditional]

I have heard this theory before. I have debated it, but one scripture comes to mind, that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. To me, this is a scripture that seems to show that the creation of time and space, heaven and earth, were actual events.

[RandyWayne]

I have heard this theory before. I have debated it, but one scripture comes to mind, that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. To me, this is a scripture that seems to show that the creation of time and space, heaven and earth, were actual events.

It is other wise known as the Big Bang.

[Praxeas]

I have heard this theory before. I have debated it, but one scripture comes to mind, that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. To me, this is a scripture that seems to show that the creation of time and space, heaven and earth, were actual events.
Well on the other thread about UFOs someone made a comment about what the word "beginning" actually means

However, here is a thought. In the beginning refers to an event that happened millions of years ago. Since that beginning the earth then has been terra formed over and over and man re-made over and over

[pelathais]

The Bible's cosmology is very ambiguous when speaking of the period of time known as "in the beginning." I don't subscribe to the "Gap Theory" myself. It has its merits, but it ultimately strikes me as a Fundamentalist method of attempting to deal with reality.

Better to leave our 200 year old Fundamentalism aside and accept the Bible as written on the terms that its writers originally intended.

[Praxeas]

The Bible's cosmology is very ambiguous when speaking of the period of time known as "in the beginning." I don't subscribe to the "Gap Theory" myself. It has its merits, but it ultimately strikes me as a Fundamentalist method of attempting to deal with reality.

Better to leave our 200 year old Fundamentalism aside and accept the Bible as written on the terms that its writers originally intended.
Fundamentalism would generally take the bible very literal and most Fundies have a literal 6 day, young earth view of the bible

[pelathais]

Well on the other thread about UFOs someone made a comment about what the word "beginning" actually means

However, here is a thought. In the beginning refers to an event that happened millions of years ago. Since that beginning the earth then has been terra formed over and over and man re-made over and over

That's a good observation. There has been a series of Mass Extinctions over the history of the planet. After each Mass Extinction event we see life rebounding, adapted to new and changed conditions ('terra formed' conditions).

[Praxeas]

Isa 65:17 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.


2Pe 3:6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.
2Pe 3:7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
2Pe 3:8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
2Pe 3:11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
2Pe 3:13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

[The Mrs]

Is this the period when the dinosaurs would have most likely inhabited the earth? :gaga

[RandyWayne]

Is this the period when the dinosaurs would have most likely inhabited the earth? :gaga

Well it was mostly likely a meteor which did them in and the ones closest to the strike did feel quite a bit of heat. But the vast majority died of starvation after wards from the "nuclear winter" that would have set in.

[Jason B]

http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermon+Series/255_The-Battle-for-the-Beginning

[missourimary]

There are some definite possibilities in the gap theory. I'm definitely not "young earth", but whether there was a gap or whether the accounts of creation simply have a different significance than chronological history, I don't know.