THE GAP THEORY REFUTED: TOM HORN AND DONNA HOWELL

(12) THE EARTH IS BOTH OLD AND YOUNG WITH A PRE GENESIS BATTLE? Tohu, Bohu, and the Chaos Dragon? - YouTube 

SkyWatch TV: "Today, most Christians maintain that the book of Genesis says the Earth is 6,000-10,000 years old at the most. Scientists on the other hand, teach that it is BILLIONS of years old. This discrepancy has not only drawn a line in the sand between faith and science, but has also created a wall between Christian believers. But what if we told you a different explanation that combines Old Earth Evidence, Young Earth Evidence, Scientific Evidence together into ONE harmonious conclusion? How can the Earth be old and young at the same time, and what does this have to do with Lucifer?"

The Gap Theory: Harmonise or Compromise?

The above video promotes a new book written by Donna Howell and Thomas Horn Before Genesis which the authors anticipate will cause a theological war. It appears that this book has been released at this time as a deliberate provocation to the widely held beliefs of traditional Christians. 

The gap theory (also known as gap creationism, ruin-restoration creationism, or restoration creationism) are speculative ideas originally introduced by Thomas Chalmers in 1814. Chalmers hatched the novel idea that there is a gap of unknown but lengthy duration between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. Gap theorists argue that God judged this earlier creation due to Lucifer's rebellion. The gap theory claims to harmonize the conflict between the scriptures and the alleged long geologic ages, particularly with regard to the fossil records. 

The most notable proponent of the gap theory was GH Pember who was affiliated with the Plymouth Brethren and author of Earth's Earliest Ages (first published in 1876). Pember incorrectly identified the six days of Genesis 1 as "six days of restoration" rather than six days of creation. These ideas were also developed by Arthur C Custance and Donald Gray Barnhouse in 1970. 

The gap theory was included in the Scofield Reference Bible which popularized dispensationalism and became influential during the 20th century. Scofield's annotations alongside Bible verses have been widely challenged.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1).  

(alleged gap of millions/billions of years)

Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:2)Donna Howell: "Why do so many people act as if science and theology are two separate things.. Why is that even a question?"  She goes on to misquote the Herbert Spencer principle: "There is a principle which is a bar against all information which is proof against all argument and which cannot fail to keep man in everlasting ignorance, that principle is church tradition before the open mind." The Herbert Spencer Principle in fact reads: "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation.”2 Donna's misquote immediately places tension between "church tradition" and "the open mind". Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) was, in fact, a philosopher who developed an all-embracing conception of evolution. Wikipedia: "The basis for Spencer's appeal to many of his generation was that he appeared to offer a ready-made system of belief which could substitute for conventional religious faith at a time when orthodox creeds were crumbling under the advances of modern science. Spencer's philosophical system seemed to demonstrate that it was possible to believe in the ultimate perfection of humanity on the basis of advanced scientific conceptions such as the fist law of thermodynamics and biological evolution."3 

The answer to Donna Howell's question: The inerrant and infallible scriptures cannot be compared with knowledge attained by human agencies. Human knowledge or science should be approached with caution, especially when it introduces novel ideas that challenge our understanding of the scriptures. The scriptures themselves warn us of the danger of relying on human knowledge: O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” (1 Timothy 6:20). Strong's: "..knowledge/science From ginosko; knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge -- knowledge, science." 4

There is a mountain of evidence that casts serious doubt upon the reliability of various forms of scientific fossil dating: 

Science Daily: "Radiocarbon dating is a key tool archaeologists use to determine the age of plants and objects made with organic material. But new research shows that commonly accepted radiocarbon dating standards can miss the mark -- calling into question historical timelines."5 

Donna Howell obviously knows that carbon dating is very suspect and she goes on to rattle off other specialist areas of research: "...paleomagnetism, river sediments, biostratigraphy.." (19:30 mark)    

The following articles cast doubt on these further specialties:

(PDF) Is paleomagnetic data reliable?: A critical analysis of paleomagnetism (researchgate.net)
(PDF) Biostratigraphy: What have we learnt? (researchgate.net)
Understanding the complexity of sediment residence time in rivers: Application of Fallout Radionuclides (FRNs) - ScienceDirect

j20_1_72-78.pdf (creation.com)

Reports of an agenda amongst academic institutions regarding fossil dating are very troubling. Tas Walker of Creation Ministries International explains that academics are penalized if they publish papers identifying a worldwide flood as the cause of the existence of fossils. The eighty whale fossils found at Cerro Ballena In Chile's Atacama desert in 2010 are a case in point. Tas Walker: "The people who do the research on this, the geologists, they can't say Noah's flood.. or they are cancelled, they lose their accreditation.. You would never get a paper published in that case and if you said that at your university or your research establishment, you would lose funding.."9   

Theological problems with the gap theory

Instead of questioning geological old earth theories, Pember and others inserted highly speculative and problematic ideas into the scriptures.

The gap theory is inconsistent with the doctrine that God created heaven and earth creato ex nihilo (creation out of nothing) approximately six to ten thousand years ago. 

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. (Exodus 20;11a). 

By situating death, disease and suffering prior to the fall, the gap theory throws the entire creation sequence out of sinc. The scriptures state that sin came into the world through one man. The apostle Paul describes Adam's fall as the circumstance necessitating the gospel. If sin and death did not enter the world through Adam, then Christ's sacrifice makes no sense. 

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrew 9:22)

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— (Romans 5:12).

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Ken Ham: "The basis of the Gospel message is that God brought in death and bloodshed because of sin” and “[i]f death and bloodshed of animals (or man) existed before Adam sinned, then the whole basis of atonement — the basis of redemption — is destroyed.”6 

CMI: "Müller points out that this issue is not just vital for the Gospel (see also p. 16). It also directly reinforces the authority of Scripture; with the corollary that old-earth compromise undermines Scripture. It also points to the goodness of God, who did not create a world with death and disease."7

The gap theory is logically inconsistent with uniformitarian geology and its alleged "long ages". According to gap theorists, the fossils were produced rapidly by a massive worldwide Luciferian flood. This contradicts the idea that the fossils were produced over millions or even billions of years. 

The proposal that the Noahic flood was either a local or a "tranquil" event that left no deposits whatsoever severely compromises the biblical narrative in Genesis 6-9. Noah's flood is described as a global event that was violent and destructive. (Genesis 6:13). 

The whole point of the Noahic flood was to cleanse the world of unprecedented evil and provide a new beginning for humanity via Noah and his family. (Genesis 6:5,9). In my view, we cannot realistically accept Tom Horn's suggestion that Lucifer fell in a previous garden if that is what he is suggesting (?)  A proposed pre-Adamic Luciferian flood was concerned, not with the sin of humanity, but with the fall of Lucifer. However, Lucifer was not judged and continued to operate in sin following this alleged event. In other words, nothing was accomplished by an alleged Luciferian flood. Satan will be destroyed at the end of the age. (Revelation 20:10). 

Tom Horn: "Why was the nachash.. the fallen Luciferian angel, Satan, why was he in the garden when Adam and Eve were created.?" (8:00 mark)  "Lucifer was already in the garden when Adam and Eve got there. When did that happen? We know he was kicked out of heaven. Jesus even said 'I beheld Satan like lightning fall from the heavens.' When did that all happen? It didn't happen in the Garden of Eden, it was already past. (28:00 mark)

And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (Luke 10:18).

Jamieson: "..the imperfect tense in the original, it should be brought out in the translation: "I was beholding Satan as lightning falling from heaven."

There are various interpretations of Luke 10:18. The context of this verse is the return of the 72 disciples whom Jesus had sent out ahead of him. (Luke 10:1). On their return, they reported: "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (Luke 10:17).

Some bible scholars take Jesus' words in Luke 10:18 as a partial fulfillment of Satan's ultimate fall, since he still has limited access to heaven at the present time. (Job 1:6-12). Satan will not be finally defeated until he is thrown into the lake of fire for eternity. (Revelation 20:10 cf. Isaiah 14:1;). Although Satan is technically a defeated foe, there are further stages yet to be fulfilled from a finite perspective. (John 12:31-32; Revelation 20:1-3; Revelation 20:10). 

Pulpit Commentary: "Verse 18. - And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. The Lord's words here were prophetic rather than descriptive of what had taken, or was then taking place."8

like lightning from heaven.. could simply be allegorical i.e. Satan (and the fallen angels) were rendered impotent against the message the 72 were authorized to deliver (?)

Ezekiel 28:13-19 is a continuation of the lament over the King of Tyre. These verses appear to compare the human King of Tyre to the anointed guardian cherub in Eden - on the holy mountain of God. Many scholars believe that these verses apply to the fall of Lucifer/Satan which occurred in Eden. If this is the case, then Genesis 2:8 presents a difficulty for gap theorists. And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. (Genesis 2:8). Adam was created outside the garden which was situated on the eastern side of Eden where he was subsequently placed. Eden and the garden within Eden did not exist prior to day three of creation. Gap theorists claim that there was a previous Eden and a prior creation, but the scriptures supply no evidence that this is the case. It therefore appears that Satan's fall occurred within Eden at some point following the third day of creation. 

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you. By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries; so I brought fire out from your midst; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all who saw you. All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.” (Ezekiel 28:13-19).

Barnes: This paragraph describes the planting of the Garden of Eden, and determines its situation. It goes back, therefore, as we conceive, to the third day, and runs parallel with the preceding passage.9

The gap theory is endorsed by various dubious characters including Benny Hinn, Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker. It is also endorsed by Timothy Alberino, Gary Stearman (Prophecy Watchers), Derek Gilbert and Ryan Pitterson amongst others. In 2015, Gloria Copeland and her guest Billye Brim took these ideas to a new level with the claim that God made the earth perfect in an alleged "pre-Adamic civilization".9 

A pre-Adamic race? Tom Horn  "..a pre-Adamic race, human like individuals that lived on the earth possibly millions of years ago, during the age when the dinosaurs would have roamed the earth." (26:00 mark)  According to gap theorists, the so-called pre-Adamic civilization could not be corrupted since they did not have souls or fall within the parameters of salvation. This dubious theory is a very convenient way to explain away the presence of human and animal fossils.

The translation of Genesis 1:1-2

The gap theory rests on the case that a full stop appears between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. The familiar translation: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void..." (Genesis 1:1-2). is better translated "When God began to create the heavens and earth being formless and void.." In this more accurate translation, God doesn't create out of nothing, he is working with something that already exists i.e. He begins to bring order out of an already existing chaotic situation.

The earth was (hāyâ) without form and void, (tohu and bohu) and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Keil and Delizsch: "And the earth was (not became) waste and void." The alliterative nouns tohu vabohu, the etymology of which is lost, signify waste and empty (barren), but not laying waste and desolating. Whenever they are used together in other places (Isaiah 34:11; Jeremiah 4:23), they are taken from this passage; but tohu alone is frequently employed as synonymous with איך, non-existence, and הבל, nothingness (Isaiah 40:17, Isaiah 40:23; Isaiah 49:4). The coming earth was at first waste and desolate, a formless, lifeless mass, rudis indigestaque moles, ὕληἄμορφος (Wis. 11:17) or χάος.10

tohu = formlessness, confusion, unreality, emptiness
bohu = emptiness     

Genesis 1:2 simply informs us that the earth was formless and empty, not that it became desolate and empty. Pember adopted the word "chaos" as a further descriptive noun in order to make the comparison with "the ancient and widespread doctrine of chaos in the time of our Lord."11 There is no indication in the text that indicates that the world was chaotic. These additional descriptive nouns are superfluous and go beyond the meaning of tohu and bohu . In order to facilitate their presupossitions, various proponents of the gap theory have illegitimately changed the interpretation of hāyâ to became/had become. 

Although hāyâ can be interpreted as become, there are grammatical reasons why this interpretation is invalid in this instance. Charles C Ryrie: "In the present case the verb normally serves as a linking verb ('to be' not 'to become') as in Genesis 1:25 and 3:1 where it could not be understood as 'to become'..  the disjunctive use of the waw seems required because the author apparently is calling the readers attention to something about the earth - now as to the earth it was..  More so while contextual situation may require the translation of hayetah as 'become' such a rendition occurs only 22 of its 1,522 appearances in the Pentateuch.."12   A detailed linguistic and theological assessment of the gap theory with particular reference to Genesis 1:1-2b can be found on the following link: (PDF) A Linguistic and Theological Assessment of the Gap Theory with Particular Reference to Genesis 1:1-2b (researchgate.net)

Further passages with to·hu va·vo·hu

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 (to·hu), he formed it to be inhabited!): “I am the LORD, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:18). This indicates God's process in creation which was subsequently brought into form and order without a gap of millions or even billions of years.

I looked on the earth, and behold, it was without form and void (to·hu va·vo·hu); and to the heavens, and they had no light. I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. I looked, and behold, there was no man, and all the birds of the air had fled. I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger. For thus says the LORD, “The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end. (Jeremiah 4:23-27).  The context of this passage indicates a future prophecy of judgement against Judah; it does not revert back literally to Genesis 1:2, but is rather an allusion to it. It is bad hermeneutics to simply find the same wording (tohu va-bohu) and apply it carte blanche according to our own presuppositions.

Unfortunately, Tom Horn, Donna Howell, Derek Gilbert and Timothy Alberino have appeared a number of times on the Jim Bakker Show. Bakker is of course infamous for a number of reasons and is disqualified from the ministry. In 1987 Bakker was accused of sexual misconduct which led to his resignation. In addition, Bakker's illegal misuse of ministry funds eventually led to his imprisonment.13 In 2021 there was further scandal over Bakker's sale of silver solution as an alleged cure for COVID.14 Bakker's latest scheme is peddling emergency doomsday food buckets, hence his nickname "Bucket Jim". (2 Timothy 3:13).15 It is insupportable for any bona fide bible teacher to be associated with Jim Bakker! (1 Corinthians 5:11.) "Reverend" Donna Howell claims to be a "prophet" and is an admirer of Kathryn Khulman which speaks for itself! The constant merchandising of books and videos by Prophecy Watchers and Skywatch TV is another reason to be wary! (2 Peter 2:3). For the most part, the gap theory is relegated to compromised substandard outlets. 

Tom Horn and Donna Howell have released this book under the pretext of evangelization. It is proposed that unbelievers will more readily accept a pre-Adamic Luciferian flood as against the biblical account of the Genesis flood. The church is not called upon to make alterations or adjustments to the scriptures in order to make the gospel more acceptable. (Proverbs 3:5). 

A Luciferian flood is extra-biblical and is not recorded anywhere in the scriptures. To their shame, it appears that gap theorists would rather promote a speculative Luciferian flood as against the scriptural record of Noah's flood in the book of Genesis. In my view, no genuine bible teacher should buy into this defective theory.

1.  Correcting @_magnify & @CosmicSkeptic on Genesis 1:1 (with Two Bible Scholars)

2. William Paley - Wikiquote
3. Herbert Spencer - Wikipedia
4. Strong's Greek: 1108. γνῶσις (gnósis) -- a knowing, knowledge (biblehub.com)
5. Inaccuracies in radiocarbon dating | ScienceDaily

6. Do Old Earth Creation Views Compromise Scripture and Destroy the Gospel Message? | Facts and Faith

7. Young Earth and Flood: Why they matter (creation.com)

8. Luke 10:18 Commentaries: And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. (biblehub.com)

9. Whale Fossils in the Desert - Evidence for a Worldwide Flood?

10. Genesis 2:8 Commentaries: Tshe LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. (biblehub.com

. (7) The Pre-Adamic Civilization - YouTube
11. Genesis 1:2 Commentaries: The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. (biblehub.com)
12. (12) The Alberino Analysis Earth's Earliest Ages Episode 1 - YouTube
13. The Gap Theory in Light of Grammar - Genesis 1:2 Word Study - The Disjunctive Conjunction Part Two (gaptheorygrammardcparttwo.blogspot.com)
14. Jim Bakker - Wikipedia
15. Jim Bakker to Pay $156K Over COVID-19 Cure Claim...... | News & Reporting | Christianity Today
16. (27) Pastor Jim Bakker Helps You Stay Alive During the Apocalypse - YouTube

Further Links

Closing the Gap - Listen to Answers in Genesis with Ken Ham - Radio Ministry Sermons (oneplace.com)
The Global Flood of Noah's Day | The Institute for Creation Research (icr.org)
(23) Was Eden on a Mountain? - YouTube
The Gap & Ruin-Reconstruction Theories | Answers in Genesis
Gap Theory Interpretation | Evidence Unseen