405 – The Creation of the Heavens and the Earth

SEMESTER 1

405 – The Creation of the Heavens and the Earth

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE:  BIBLE SURVEY I LESSON # 5
THE CREATION OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH

INTRODUCTION:

Having completed an overview of the chronological books of the Bible; i.e., the Pentateuch and the historical books, we now embark upon chronological events of the Old Testament. The simplest of all matters is to know where to start, “In the beginning.”

I. THE BEGINNING – GENESIS 1:1 AND JOHN 1:1

1. This word does not refer to God’s beginning, but to the begin­ning of all things except God.
2. Before this point there was nothing else, no angels or principali­ties, no material, no time and since space is relevant to materi­al, it can be said, no space.

II. GOD CREATED

1. The Bible does not start by stating God’s existence, but His action, which assumes His existence.
2. God created:

i. If this is taken at face value, scriptural revelation becomes comparatively simple.
ii. If it is interpreted according to human theory, all sorts of complications emerge.
iii. Read note #2, page 3 in a Scofield Bible.

a) What “geologic ages”? Scripture does not speak of them.

iv. The Bible indicates a six thousand year old earth.

III. THE GAP THEORY

1. The theory stated is essentially:

i. That some unrevealed number of years, centuries or millen­ia past, God created the heavens and the earth and populated at least the earth with an order of angels.
ii. That with the fall of Satan this order of angels was brought down, and the earth consequently became (through judg­ment) void and without form.
iii. Gen. 1:1 reveals to us the original creation, and that everything following reveals the creation as we now know it.
iv. Read together C. I. Scofield’s notes #2 and #3 on page 3 of his standard reference.

2. The reason for the theory is:

i. Negatively: not because any text of Scripture in its context demands or suggests such a gap.
ii. Positively: the entire theory is to “give scope for all the “geologic ages” in the “dateless past.” Notice that in this note, (#2, page 3) Scofield does not give one Scripture reference.

3. The “Cataclysmic Change Theory:” that is, that the earth has undergone divine judgment before Gen. 1:2, is supposedly supported by only 3 Scriptures. Let us look at them, and see if they suggest this interpretation.

i. Jer. 4:23-26: This chapter of Scripture in its entirety, and all those around it deal with the impending desolation of Judah. Simply notice verses 13-18, verse 22 and verses 27-31. Such an application is wickedness and ignorance.
ii. Isa. 24:1: Simply to read with it Isa. 24:2 should make any sane person blush, to have given verse 1 a “prehuman” interpretation.
iii. Isa. 45:18: The suggestion is that the purpose of God revealed in this verse “created not in vain” is contrary to the revelation of the earth’s condition in Gen. 1:2.

If we equate “in vain” to “void” and we need not, still the last part of Isa. 45:18 corresponds perfectly with the revelation of Gen. 1:2 and following; i.e., God did not create the earth inhabited, but “to be inhabited.” Thus, He created it uninhabited, empty, void.