Differing Biblical Views On Creation
By David J. Stewart
If you've researched the
information presented so far on this webpage, then you have noticed that
some men of God advocate an old earth view of creation; whereas others
advocate a young earth view of creation. I respect the views of each and
lean toward the old earth view, but would not argue the point. The Bible
warns against arguing over unlearned questions, genealogies and strivings
about the law. Where God is silent we ought to be silent (or at least
scholarly to admit that it is a shady area of the Scriptures).
Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) believed and taught a literal 6-day creation, period. He taught that dinosaurs lived amongst men, but in certain areas like wild lions and hippos live in jungles today. However, brother Rice's successor at the Sword Of The Lord, Dr. Curtis Hutson (1934-1995), believed and taught that there was a pre-Adamic world where Lucifer and one-third of the fallen angels (demons) dwelt. But as you will notice if you click on the hyperlinks I've just provided, but men shared identical views on Biblical repentance unto salvation (which is a fundamental doctrine of the Bible; but the details of creation are not).
Great men of God often differ in a variety of topics, but NEVER on the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. If a man does, it's because he is NOT SAVED. The Pope (Catholic) is not saved. Joseph Smith (Mormon) was not saved. Charles Russell (Jehovah's Witness) was not saved. Ron Hubbard (Scientology) was not saved.
Fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith are the virgin birth of Jesus Christ; His deity; the Godhead (trinity); Christ's sinless life; His death, burial and literal bodily resurrection; the literal physical blood sacrifice of Jesus upon the mercy seat in Heaven; and so forth. These are called the Doctrine Of Christ.
I heard a 6-part Wednesday night Bible study years ago by Dr. Curtis Hutson titled, DEMONOLOGY (an awesome Bible study by Pastor Curtis Hutson) available from Sword Of The Lord publishers in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. After listening to the Bible study series I concluded from the Scriptures that there indeed was a gap in time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. For example: The Bible teaches concerning Lucifer...
Isaiah 14:13-14, “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”
Lucifer said “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.” To ascend “above the clouds” you must first be below the clouds. This passage of Scripture is one of many that suggest to us that Lucifer dwelt upon the earth prior to mankind's existence. In the Bible “stars” often refer to the angels, as in Isaiah 14:13. Lucifer wanted to rule over the angels. Carefully notice that Lucifer didn't want to be over God; but rather, equal (“like the most high”). This is the same sin of feminists, who want to be EQUAL in authority with the man in the home, marriage and church. Like it or not, God is a masculine God with no feminine side as false prophets teach.
Also, consider that the serpent (Satan according to Revelation 20:2) was already present in the Garden Of Eden when God placed Adam and Eve there. There are many such evidences in the Scriptures (and fascinating to learn) in the DEMONOLOGY Bible study by Dr. Hutson. If you want an understanding of the “Gap Theory,” then you need to hear this presentation from Pastor Hutson.
May I say, it is wrong to condemn a Christian brother who believes that a pre-Adamic world existed on earth, WHEN the Bible does indeed present compelling evidence to support it. Albeit, as I said earlier, it's best to remain silent where the Bible is silent. I don't think it is wrong to study such topics, but it is improper to be dogmatic or condemn others who do not agree with us on this unlearned area of the Scriptures.
God gave us common sense. Yes? Science is the study of God's creation if it is true science and not “science falsely so-called” as 1st Timothy 6:20 warns about. Evolution is blatant false science and a lie of Satan designed to send them to Hell. 2nd Timothy 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Oh, how children need to be taught the Scriptures!
Legitimate science has proven that the earth is very old, certainly MUCH older than 4004 B.C. (the approximate Biblical date for the creation of mankind). Dinosaurs did exist. Some Bible scholars believe that ancient folklore tales of fire-breathing dragons are evidence of dinosaurs within the past 6000 years. I think not. The Bible mentions the word “behemoth” in Job 40:15, which in the Hebrew means “water ox” (a hippopotamus). Some Bible teachers have tried to fit this word into a dinosaur scenario. Clearly, dinosaurs never co-existed with man upon the earth. Although new research has determined the tyrannosauruses were actually scavengers of dead animals and not aggressive fighters as portrayed in the frightening Jurassic Park series, the velociraptors were!!!
I do NOT believe in theistic evolution where God created everything and then it evolved. That's all demonic junk science. Mankind did NOT come from the same biological source as animals, nor birds, nor insects, nor fish (1st Corinthians 15:39). God created each species within it's own group. Evolution is a lie of Satan.
Human civilization cannot be traced back beyond Egypt in the 3rd century B.C. The flood wiped everything out in 2500 B.C.! Mankind did not exist beyond 6,000 years ago. The Bible, history, archaeology, paleontology and every science evidences this fact. The short existence of mankind and the old earth confuse most people. The puzzle pieces all fit if you accept the reality of an old earth. It does not violate any Scriptural principles.
We read in Isaiah that God's Word NEVER returns unto Him void; yet the Bible says in Genesis that the earth was void. Something happened.
From New Age to Wicca, Buddhism, Ying Yang and feminist theology, God is said to be male and female. The Bible calls them liars! The Godhead is composed of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Who is referred to as “He” in John 14:26 if you have a genuine King James Bible and not some perverted feminist-lesbian Bible).
The Bible teaches in Revelation that God cast Lucifer to the earth with one-third of the angels (demons). This happened before God created mankind. Satan was already present in the Garden Of Eden when God made it. I believe that there was a pre-Adamic earth where Lucifer and the fallen angels dwelt. I believe this is when the dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Again, it is important to understand that the doctrine of beginnings is not a fundamental Christian teaching.
I truly do not know what happened back in time. I believe the Bible and the Bible says in Genesis 2:3-4, “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.” Although I am compelled to believe in a pre-Adamic world where dinosaurs lived and Lucifer ruled over the fallen angels upon the earth, I have difficulties with such theories in view of Genesis 2:3-4, which says God CREATED everything in 6-days.
Yet, when I look at the reality of dinosaurs and scientific evidence of an old earth, I must conclude that there is more to the picture than God wanted us to know. Personally, I believe that God deliberately has given mankind a perplexing dilemma. Trying to weight the issues of creation can boggle the human mind. God has forced each individual to make a choice. YOU MUST MAKE A CHOICE! This is the only logical conclusion when you consider that God has not given us conclusive evidence either way.
I am not dogmatic on the issue of an old earth verses a young earth. Preachers who are dogmatic have evidence against them either way. To boldly claim that the Gap Theory is not possible means that dinosaurs livest amongst men, and that all scientific evidence of an old earth is errant. Yet, to accept the Gap Theory means that God reformed the universe during the 6-days, fixing the “void” earth in Genesis 1:2 caused by Satan, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” You'll find thousands of opinions on the topic of creation. We ought not get into heated debates with anyone on this subject. Some Christians really get angry concerning this issue, accusing those who disagree as being unsaved. It's a vicious battle.
Aalthough I lean with uncertainty toward a pre-Adamic earth, I admit that I have no idea. The Bible leaves much to think about. Although some people would claim Genesis 2:3-4 and leave it at that, it is wrong to ignore the remainder of the Scriptures. I know 100% that mankind did not exist until 6000 years ago. That is a solid fact Biblically. I don't know any preacher who doesn't agree that mankind didn't exist before 6000 B.C.; but concerning the age of the earth there is serious debate because of an abundance of Scriptural support both ways.
Obviously we are missing something to the puzzle. I think the safest approach is to remain silent where the Bible is silent. I certainly have no problem with those who believe that there was no universe or earth prior to 4000 B.C., but it certainly doesn't fit God's own creation that evidences that it has been here for a very long time. The important thing is that we trust upon the Lord no matter what. Regardless of the things we don't understand in life, may we all believe upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31; John 20:31; Galatians 3:26).
