"Gap Theory" revisited

[Peairtach]

Can't see - or at least use - the link, D.Paul.

showing how Darwin's theory helped, in time, catastrophism get uniformitariansim kicked to the curb.

It's geological uniformitarianism that took possession of nineteenth and early twentieth century geology, along with evolutionary thought; although in different ways, catastrophism has come roaring back.

 

[ericfromcowtown]

Can't see - or at least use - the link, D.Paul.

showing how Darwin's theory helped, in time, catastrophism get uniformitariansim kicked to the curb.

It's geological uniformitarianism that took possession of nineteenth and early twentieth century geology, along with evolutionary thought; although in different ways, catastrophism has come roaring back.

You are correct that "uniformitarian" geology pre-dated Darwin and evolutionary theory, and not the other way around, as is often erroneously assumed.

Uniformitarianism is a bit of a straw man, though. Although there were a few early geologists who were strictly uniformitarian (Lyell is the only one that I can think of off hand), strict uniformitarianism quickly became the minority opinion and has been virtually unheard of in living memory. Almost all conventional / "uniformitarian" geologists have always accepted the role of catastrophic events in the geologic record hand-in-hand with uniformitarian processes, just as the vast majority of YEC proponents have always accepted the role of uniformitarian processes pre and post flood. It's a question of which has dominated and been the prime factor behind the geologic column which is debated.

 

[D. Paul]

Self-Interpreting Bible quote

Sorry about the link. Here is the quote from the Self-Interpreting Bible (a work of John Brown of Haddington)

The “heaven and the earth” whose creation is thus simply announced, embraced the whole pre-adamic universe. The fact of its creation at some undefined past age is recorded; and then it is indicated that from some cause the earth having been reduced to chaos, God put forth anew creative power, and prepared it for a new race of animals, and for the noblest of all - man.

Sounds like Gap language to me.

 

[ericfromcowtown]

Sorry about the link. Here is the quote from the Self-Interpreting Bible (a work of John Brown of Haddington)

The “heaven and the earth” whose creation is thus simply announced, embraced the whole pre-adamic universe. The fact of its creation at some undefined past age is recorded; and then it is indicated that from some cause the earth having been reduced to chaos, God put forth anew creative power, and prepared it for a new race of animals, and for the noblest of all - man.

Sounds like Gap language to me.

Or more precisely, the ruin-reconstruction version of the gap theory.

 

[MW]

Here is the quote from the Self-Interpreting Bible (a work of John Brown of Haddington)

It is also the work of numerous later editors, whose statements are contained in brackets and an initial provided to show who has contributed the comments. The statement which includes the ruin-reconstruction idea is contributed by P., which stands for Josiah Porter.

 

[Christusregnat]

It might be as you say. I read a paper by my brother-in-law about B.B. Warfield in which he (as an old earther) documented some of the thought patterns that developed at Princeton. You may find it of interest:

Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield and the Darwinian Controversy

You are blessed to have a learned brother in law; I can imagine you would have much to discuss at family get togethers, as well as a little to debate.

Indeed, I am blessed. It is always an interesting mix of edifying discussion and hot debate!

That is an excellent piece and pinpoints Warfield's position very well. For what it's worth, I agree with the conclusion -- "Those theories which are blatantly contrary to scripture must be resolutely opposed, but those which in good faith attempt to account for the whole of both natural and scriptural revelation should be permitted and debated." It only begs the question as to whether old earth geology properly accounts for either natural or special revelation.

Indeed, the approach of some at Old Princeton was more favorable to the perspecuity of natural revelation rather than special.

I would also say that Hodge's inductive method goes beyond this commitment to include a scientific openness which superimposes itself on the revelation of the Bible.

That is an interesting thought which I hope to research more in the future.

Godspeed,

Adam

 

[D. Paul]

Here is the quote from the Self-Interpreting Bible (a work of John Brown of Haddington)

It is also the work of numerous later editors, whose statements are contained in brackets and an initial provided to show who has contributed the comments. The statement which includes the ruin-reconstruction idea is contributed by P., which stands for Josiah Porter.

Is the significance of the passage diminished then? I can't seem to grasp the idea that "reconstruction" is somehow implied in the "construction" of the verses.

 

[gene_mingo]

Oswald T. Allis addresses the Interval Theory in his book "God Spake by Moses". He mainly deals with the language of Gen 1:2.

 

[ronlsb]

What seems to be missing from all this debate is the bliblical teaching on the creation of Adam. I am not aware of any old-earth advocates who have a biblical view of Adam and Eve being created on the sixth day in the span of 24 hours. Since Christ is clear about His view of Adam as a literal, factual creature, any view of Genesis one that produces a less than literal view of the creation of Adam on the sixth day seems to be a direct contradicition of Christ. This, of course, is unacceptable.

 

[Peairtach]

What seems to be missing from all this debate is the bliblical teaching on the creation of Adam. I am not aware of any old-earth advocates who have a biblical view of Adam and Eve being created on the sixth day in the span of 24 hours. Since Christ is clear about His view of Adam as a literal, factual creature, any view of Genesis one that produces a less than literal view of the creation of Adam on the sixth day seems to be a direct contradicition of Christ. This, of course, is unacceptable.

Both the ruin/reconstruction gap theory and the theory that the heavens and earth were first created and then formed and filled on days 1-6, allow for a literal Adam to be created on a literal Sixth Day.

The gap between the creating of the heavens and the earth and Day One would be in Genesis 1:1-2. Day One doesn't (appear to) start until 1:3.

 

[ronlsb]

Thanks for the response. I'll have to research those theories and see how their proponents view Adam and Eve.