Gap Theory

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According to the gap theory, there’s a very long gap of time

between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. The world that existed during this
gap was destroyed and God re-created in the six days described
in Genesis. This idea fails because it lacks biblical support and
puts death before sin when Scripture describes death as the
consequence for sin.
Gap Theory Examined Biblically
This brief overview shows that the gap theory is not biblical. It is, in fact, a
compromise of the truth of Genesis, which arose when Christian leaders tried to
accommodate the millions of years claimed for fossil layers.
Hebrew Words and the Gap Theory
Many adherents of the gap theory claim that the grammar of Genesis 1:1–2 allows, and
even requires, a time-gap between the events in verse 1 and the events in verse 2. Into
this gap—believed by many to be billions of years—they want to place all the major
geological phenomena that have shaped the world.
Variations of the Gap Theory
The “modified gap theory” or “precreation chaos gap theory,” which is the proposed
“gap” between Genesis 1:2 and 1:3, is unscriptural, and ultimately unnecessary. In
fact, several gap models have been proposed over the years for one reason—to add
secular ideas of long ages to the Bible.

Articles About Gap Theory

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MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Closing the Gap

 June 2, 2013 from Answers Magazine

Two centuries ago in an effort to explain “prehistoric” fossils, Christian leaders

introduced the idea that a gap of time is missing between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.
 FEEDBACK ARTICLE
Modified Gap Theory

Nov. 5, 2010 from Feedback

Why couldn't the earth and the heavens been created millions of years ago and
remained null and void until God created the atmosphere, land and life?
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Mind the Gap

June 30, 2008, p. 40

The gap theory is simply compromise. It is an attempt to harmonise the facts of

Scripture with the ideas of fallen men.
 BOOK CHAPTER
What About the Gap & Ruin-Reconstruction Theories?

Sept. 6, 2007 from The New Answers Book 1

Because of the accepted teachings of evolution, many Christians have tried to place a
gap of indeterminate time between the first two verses of Genesis 1.
 FEEDBACK ARTICLE
Recollections of an Ex-Gap-Theorist

Dec. 9, 2005 from Feedback

Judie from Australia shares her past experiences with the Gap Theory, as a follow up
to last week's feedback on the topic.
 FEEDBACK ARTICLE
Does Scripture Allow for the Gap Theory?

Dec. 2, 2005 from Feedback

AiG speaker Bodie Hodge responds to commentsabout the gap theory

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Does Scripture Allow for the Gap Theory?
 Nov. 28, 2005

Bodie Hodge, AiG-US, responds to a letter which claims Genesis 1:2 supports the gap
theory.
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A Gap in Knowledge

April 12, 2001

A well-known US ‘televangelist’ (i.e. television preacher), who frequently appears on

the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), recently promoted the compromise view
known as the ‘gap theory,’
 MAGAZINE ARTICLE
The Gap Theory—an Idea with Holes?

Dec. 1, 1987, pp. 35–37

Many people assume there is a great gap in time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2.
 MAGAZINE ARTICLE
The Gap Theory (Part B)

Aug. 1, 1980, pp. 33–34

The interpretation of Genesis 1:1–2, as it applies to the Gap (Ruin-Reconstruction)

Theory, revolves around four major points.
 MAGAZINE ARTICLE
The Gap Theory (Part A)

Aug. 1, 1980, pp. 11–12

There have been many attempts to harmonize or combine the Genesis account of the
creation with orthodox “modern” geology—e.g. theistic evolution and progressive
creation.