If we truly want to read and understand the Bible, there are principles that need to be adhered to for scripture to speak for itself and interpret itself. For example:

• Allowing scripture to define the words of scripture.

• Understanding the immediate, remote and cultural context of a passage

• The words of the text and context must be in harmony with all related passages.

• Understanding the “big picture” view or full scope of the Word of God

• Difficult passages must be understood in light of clear passages on a subject

• Apparent contradictions in the Bible are either errors in translation or errors in our understanding.

Starting with Genesis 1:3 and using the genealogies found in the Bible, from Adam to today is approximately 6000 years. Science, through modern geology, radiometric dating, and astronomy converges on an earth age of 4.54 billion years. There are four major models that Theologians use to reconcile Scripture with Science. The “Gap Theory” is one of the four.

The word translated “was” in Genesis 1:2 is the Hebrew word “hayah” and it is translated many different ways and only translated “was” two times out of 75 times that “hayah” occurs in the Old Testament. The translators chose “was” in this verse, but that is not necessarily the best translation. For example: In Genesis 27:1 it is translated “And it came to pass.”

Several well known Bible scholars argue that “hayah” can be translated “became” in Genesis 1:2 which means something happened after God created the heavens and the earth and the earth became without form and void. Among them are EW Bullinger (Companion Bible) and CI Scofield (Scofield Reference Bible).

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:1-2 ESV

We may never know in this life how the Bible and science can both be right, but this explanation makes more sense to me than any of the other models and allows for an ancient earth because we don’t know how many years there could be between Genesis 1:1 and 1:3.

“For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): “I am the Lord, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:18 ESV

The same Hebrew word translated “without form” in Genesis 1:1 is translated empty in Isaiah 45:18. This passage seems to support the Gap Theory.

“and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 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. 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.” 2 Peter 3:6-7, 10 ESV

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” Revelation 21:1 ESV

“….I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven….” 2 Corinthians 12:1-2 ESV

By considering the “big picture” view or full scope of the Word of God, if the vision Paul got was the third Heaven, we can see from Scripture that something happened between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:3 that could explain the old earth that perished in 2 Peter 3:6. Our hope still rests in the new heaven and the new earth and in the coming kingdom of God and our Lord Jesus Christ. The word of God is trustworthy and true.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”” Revelation 21:1-5 ESV

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Mark Rohde can be reached at marklrohde@icloud.com.