Creation

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Most Christians are familiar with the theory referred to as “Special Creation.” However! Many are not aware, within the context of the theory, and acceptance of the existence of an infinitely wise Creator who fashioned and formed the universe, there are two lines of thought. Special Creation takes an exact interpretive stance on the first chapter of Genesis, and believing that God “created” the world in six days. This is the model embraced by the overwhelming majority of believers. A second, and less known view, holds that God created the world in Genesis one, verse one, but then a drastic change took place between verse one and verse two. This school of thought feels that somewhere between verse one and verse two Lucifer rebelled. This rebellion brought God’s judgment, not only upon the anointed cherub, but also the realm that was in his charge. Hence the reason why verse two begins with “the earth became without form, and void; . . . .”; an indication of the confusion and disruption that had taken place. These were the after affects of the judgment of God upon Satan, the host that followed him, and his domain. The second view then goes on to take a more symbolical approach to the six days of God’s working, interpreting them as being part of a “restorative process.” Each of the six days are thought to apply, in a general way, to the six thousand years of God’s working to restore fallen man. The seventh day - the Sabbath - parallels the millennial period referred to in Hebrews, the Sabbath rest that remains for the people of God. This model is usually referred to as the “Gap theory.

Of course, some Christian groups strongly disagree over the Gap issue. Never the less, it is well within a sound Biblical interpretive framework. The following web sites are recommended specifically because they provide an unbiased, open minded assessment of their views, without being condescending toward those who do not agree or hold the other view.

May the Lord lead and guide all our hearts in these matters, that the differences which exist in the beliefs of these two “Christian” models, do not become a stumbling block to divide the body of Christ.

Web sites especially worthy of review include:

Historical Evidence of the Gap Theory - Courtesy of Charis Theological Seminary.
Christian Geology Ministry - A of view creation using the Gap theory as a basis for interpretation.
Perspectives on Science and Scripture - The Arthur C. Custance Library.
Jesus Is Lord - does an expose on the origins of evil, and how the Gap theory applies to these events.
Institute for Creation Research - A Christ focused creation ministry.

One last point! As criticism foreign to a Christ-like spirit is often cast upon Gap theorists, the following list includes just a few of the well-known Christian men, of the past and present, who embraced this view. Among the “Brethren,” there is J. N. Darby, William Kelly, R. C. Chapman, George Muller, F. W. Grant, C. A. Coates and G. H. Pember, as well as numerous others. Outside the Brethren are names such as Hudson Taylor, Robert Govett, D. M. Panton, Jessie Penn-Lewis, T. Austin-Sparks, G. H. Lang, Watchman Nee, Clarence Larkin, Dr. C.I. Scofield, Billy Graham, John Hagee, Finis Dake (Dake’s Bible), and Benny Hinn.

As these Godly men felt this was not only a viable, but also a sound Biblical view, perhaps you should decide for yourself.

The following resources are recommended for a study of the Gap theory:

“The Mystery of Creation,” by Watchman Nee.
“An Outline of Genesis,” by C. A. Coates.
“Without Form and Void,” by Arthur C. Custance.
“The Great Prophecies,” Vol. 2.
“Earth’s Earliest Ages,” by G. H.Pember.

Also! Dake provides a concise and yet thorough resource for your consideration, pointing out a number of texts from Scripture and peripheral issues that are often overlooked.

See Dake’s Bible:
1) Gen. 1, notes a thru j.
2) Page 51. Note subtitles: The Dateless Past, “Bara” – create defined, “Earth” defined, Use of “and” in Gen. 1-2, Lucifer’s flood, and Made – not created.
3) Page 54. Note subtitles: The pre-Adamite world, 18 proofs of a pre-Adamite world.
4) 2 Peter 3:5-12, notes a thru g. 5) Page 274 (of the New Testament). Note subtitle: Pre-Adamites.

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Darwin the Believer

It may surprise students of Evolution who do not know, in the closing days of his life, Darwin returned to his faith in the Bible. Yes! Many a man, as he approaches the end this life and consequently draws near to Eternity and the presence of God, has regrets on former views and past conducts.

The story is told by Lady Hope of Northfield England, a wonderful Christian woman who was often at his bedside before he died. She wrote it herself. And not only is it interesting, it is most enlightening. Here it is, in her own words:

“It was one of those glorious autumn afternoons that we sometimes enjoy in England, when I was asked to go in and sit with the well-known professor, Charles Darwin. He was almost bedridden for some time before he died. I used to feel when I saw him that his fine presence would have made a grand picture for our Royal Academy; but never did I think so more strongly than on this one particular occasion.

He was sitting up in bed, wearing a soft embroidered dressing gown of rather a rich purple shade. Propped up by pillows, he was gazing out on a far-stretching scene of woods and corn-fields, which glowed in the light of a marvelous sunset. His noble forehead and fine features seemed to be lit with pleasure as I entered the room.

He waved his hand toward the window as he pointed out the scene beyond, while in the other hand he held an open Bible, which he was always studying.

‘What are you reading?’ I asked later as, he was seated by his bedside. ‘Hebrews!’ he answered – ‘still Hebrews. The Royal Book, I call it.’ Then placing his finger on certain passages, he commented on them.

I made some illusions to the strong opinions expressed by many persons on this history of Creation, its grandeur, and then their treatment of the earliest chapters of the Book of Genesis.

He seemed greatly distressed, his fingers twitched nervously, and a look of agony came over his face as he said, ‘I was a young man with unformed ideas. I threw out queries, suggestions, wondering all the time over everything, and to my astonishment the ideas took like wildfire. People made a religion of them.’

Then he paused, and after a few more sentences on ‘the holiness of God’ and ‘the grandeur of this Book,’ looking at the Bible which he was holding tenderly all the time, he suddenly said, ‘I have a summerhouse in the garden which holds about thirty people. It is over there,’ pointing through the open window. ‘I want you very much to speak there. I know you read the Bible in the villages. Tomorrow afternoon I should like the servants on the place, and a few of the neighbors to gather there. Will you speak to them?’

‘What shall I speak about?’ I asked. ‘Jesus Christ!’ he replied, ‘and His salvation. Is not that the best theme? And then I want you to sing some hymns with them.’

The wonderful look of brightness and animation on his face as he said this, I shall never forget, for he added, ‘If you take the meeting at three o’clock this window will be open, and you will know that I am joining in with the singing.’

How I wished that I could have made a picture of the fine old man and his beautiful surroundings on that memorable day!

Was there ever a more drastic scene? The very soul of tragedy is here exposed to us! Darwin, enthusiast for the Bible, speaking with glowing enthusiasm about ‘the grandeur of the Book,’ reminded of that modern evolutionary movement in theology which, linked with skeptical criticism, has become a blight in all the Churches and has destroyed Biblical faith in multitudes – Darwin, with a look of agony, deploring it all and declaring: ‘I was a young man with unformed ideas.’

Darwin “The Believer,” by Oswald Smith. Available through Evangelical Tract Distributors. Evangelical Tract Distributors.

Some hold the above story to be a myth. Thus, I have included the following. I find it to be the most thorough and fair reporting of Lady Hope, and the events in the story, I have come across. Provided courtesy of Christain Apologetics & Research Ministry.

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