Gap creationism

- The article contains no references. - Plus Terms 11:21, April 15, 2007 (UTC)

The Gap Theory is a theological hypothesis, which states that in the first creation story between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 a time gap must be seen. Is argued, inter alia, with the possible translation of the Hebrew " hajtah " with " was " instead of " was ", so that the translation would read: "The earth was ( hajtah ) without form and void ( tohu wa bohu ) ". Since this is a development process is suggested, the (not empty ) should have led to a state of emptiness of another state, the state of emptiness is justified by a judgment of God upon unspecified nature. Thus long periods of time would be possible, the geological evidence on the age of the Earth (about 4.6 billion years ) would harmonize with the Bible.

The gap theory (gap creationism ) is an alternative to young-earth creationism.

Criticism

Reply to critics within the theology that the translation of " was " is indeed a possibility, but not an absolute. In addition, never otherwise stated in the Bible something of such a court (including the " catabolic " / low- roll of the NT can not be related to it ). However, it is striking that in the early chapters of Genesis, the Hebrew word " Haji " throughout with " was " has been translated, with this same exception in Sec. 1.2. Furthermore, the use of " tohu wa bohu " not seen as mandatory interpretation of the result of a court, but the description of a void, both physically and mentally.

It is also theologically questionable to state that it should already have been a fall before the Fall of Adam, of which the Bible nowhere says something. One consequence would be that the creation of our world really would be no creation, but a restoration (hence also called restitution theory, the gap theory ). Among the reasons of the alleged first Fall and to the beings who are said to have sinned there, the Bible also makes no details. Critics therefore argue that for a theory with such theological consequences to not speak very much. Long periods can be more easily seen when the term the six days of creation as six long periods of time to be seen, as the term is used in the Bible allowed ( eg " Day of the Lord ").

Especially in the U.S., the thesis, the term gap theory is widely used and discussed.