Pre-Adamic race & Gap Theory

Q. Does Genesis 1 teach that there was a “Pre-Adamic” race or Gap Theory?

A. There are some people who believe that there is a ”gap” of time between Genesis 1.1 and 1.2. They say that there was an original creation, ruled over by Lucifer and he fell, resulting in the Earth becoming “formless and void. This pre-Adamic earth was also inhabited by a race of people, if you will, or man but they were all destroyed.

That is the basis for this myth, and that is exactly what it is. This “theory” was an attempt to reconcile the creation account with long periods of time in the theory of Evolution called “Theistic Evolution”, if you want an official name for it. Evolution itself is a theory which is totally unscientific and violates the Second Law of Thermodynamics. This gap theory would have us believe that Adam was walking around on top of a giant, fossilized graveyard. However, Paul said in Rom. 5.12, 8.20-22 that man’s sin brought about death, even of animals (1Cor.15.21). Over 800 billion skeletons exist in the Karroo formation in South Africa alone.

The most natural interpretation of Genesis 1.2 is to take it at face value, without adding to or subtracting from it. But, proponents of this theory will say “formless and void speaks of judgment” and will quote Jer 4.23, Isa. 45.18. However, in other passages “formless and void” just means “space” (Job26.7, Deut. 32.10). They will also say “was” in Gen 1.2 should be “became”. However, the Hebrew word “hayetha” is found 264 times in the Tanach, and 258 times it is translated as “was.” The Hebrew verb of being for “became” is “Haphek.”

Proponents will then try to say that there is a difference between “bara” (created 1.1) and “asah” (made 1.7). But, these verbs are used synonymously: “G-d created” (bara) in 1.21 and “G-d made” (asah) in 1.25. “Let us make man” (asah) in 1.26 and “so G-d created” (bara) in 1.27. It will be pointed out by some that “darkness” indicates judgment in 1.2. However darkness herre is simply the absence of light and is sometimes spoken of as “good” (Psa. 104.20, 24). Lastly, they will say that “replenish” in 1.28 indicates that the world was once filled. The Hebrew word “male” almost always means simply “to fill” (Exo. 40.34,1 K 18.33, Psa 107.9). So, there isn’t much to this theory and it isn’t even defensible. When Yeshua refers to the beginning, He means with creation and Adam and Eve. The Torah means what it says, and there is no gap between Genesis 1.1 and 1.2.