This is one of my favorite images in the universe because it was drawn by man to depict a godless creation of matter, time, and space from nothing in the beginning. The theory says there is nothing outside the envelope, but in order to understand it, they have to show it from God’s perspective outside the box.
In one of the most amazing chapters in the Bible (Isaiah 55 – Invitation to the needy), from the beginning to the end, God proclaims…
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV)
It’s not a sign of wisdom to try to out-think God. Listen to Natalie Grant – King of the World. We just show how foolish we are when we try to constrain him to our image (Psalm 50:21; Romans 1:18-23).
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalm 111:10)
Only when we realize how great God is, can we understand how much we can trust him. Consider this classic verse, which has comforted millions over the years, in light of the image above showing how far the east is from the west.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. (Psalm 103:8-14 KJV)
For deeper study
Recommended reading
- The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God by Lee Strobel – Join Strobel as he reexamines the theories that once led him away from God. Through his compelling and highly readable account, you’ll encounter the mind-stretching discoveries from cosmology, cellular biology, DNA research, astronomy, physics, and human consciousness that present astonishing evidence in The Case for a Creator.
- Darwin Devolves: The New Science About DNA That Challenges Evolution by Michael Behe – In addition to disputing the methodology of Darwinism and how it conflicts with the concept of creation, Behe reveals that what makes Intelligent Design unique—and right—is that it acknowledges causation. Evolution proposes that organisms living today are descended with modification from organisms that lived in the distant past. But Intelligent Design goes a step further asking, what caused such astounding changes to take place? What is the reason or mechanism for evolution? For Behe, this is what makes Intelligent Design so important.
Is it true that God caused the earth to become formless. I had been told that because of Satan’s rebellion, the earth was made formless. Is this true?
Greetings Joanne,
There are two predominate theories on what happened in the first few verses of Genesis. I have personally always believed in the gap theory. Please read:
I admit that I enjoy discussing the differences on a Biblical and scientific basis. But I would never make this a requirement of fellowship because God never said one position or the other are a requirement for salvation, living a holy life in Christ, or blessings and rewards. However, here is a good summary of the differences between the two positions.
The gap theory and young earth creationism are two different theological interpretations of the book of Genesis that attempt to explain the origins of the earth and humanity. While both theories are based on a literal reading of Genesis, they differ in several key areas.
The gap theory suggests that there is a gap of time between the first two verses of Genesis, during which a catastrophic event occurred, resulting in the destruction of the original creation. This theory allows for an older age of the earth, as the time gap could have been significant. In contrast, young earth creationism holds that the earth is relatively young, with an age of around 6,000 to 10,000 years, based on a literal reading of the book of Genesis.
Supporters of the gap theory point to several verses from the Bible to support their interpretation. For example, Isaiah 45:18 states that God did not create the earth “in vain” or “empty,” which some interpret as implying that the earth was once in a state of chaos before God restored it. Additionally, Jeremiah 4:23-26 describes a vision of the earth being “without form and void,” which some believe is a description of the same event described in Genesis 1:2.
Young earth creationists, on the other hand, argue that the use of the Hebrew word “yom” for “day” in Genesis 1 supports a literal interpretation of the creation account. Genesis 1 describes God’s creation of the universe and everything in it in six literal days, with the creation of humanity on the sixth day. Additionally, the genealogies in Genesis provide a timeline for the age of the earth, with young earth creationists arriving at an age of around 6,000 years by adding up the ages of the patriarchs listed in Genesis 5.
Hebrew definitions also play a role in both theories. Supporters of the gap theory point to the Hebrew word “tohuw” and “bohuw” used in Genesis 1:2 to describe the earth as “without form and void,” which can be translated as “formless” and “empty,” respectively. Some argue that this language implies that the earth was once in a different state before becoming formless and empty, supporting the idea of a catastrophic event. Young earth creationists also point to specific Hebrew words used in Genesis, such as the word “bara” used to describe God’s creation of the heavens and the earth, as evidence for a literal reading of the creation account.
In summary, the gap theory and young earth creationism are two different theological interpretations of Genesis that attempt to explain the origins of the earth and humanity. The gap theory suggests that there is a gap of time between the first two verses of Genesis, while young earth creationism holds that the earth is relatively young. Both theories use supporting verses from the Bible and Hebrew definitions to support their interpretations.
Regards,
David
Famed Yale computer science professor quits believing Darwin’s theories — “There’s no reason to doubt that Darwin successfully explained the small adjustments by which an organism adapts to local circumstances: changes to fur density or wing style or beak shape,” the professor wrote. “Yet there are many reasons to doubt whether he can answer the hard questions and explain the big picture — not the fine-tuning of existing species but the emergence of new ones. The origin of species is exactly what Darwin cannot explain.”
What if the Big Bang was not the beginning?
Our best description of how it all began doesn’t add up. But now a team of theoretical physicists think they’ve found a way to test a controversial new theory that the Universe came to life with a bounce and not a bang.
This article is an example of many scientific articles that are starting to claim that the big bang had to have a cause. Duh!!!! It will be interesting to see where this goes.
The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have? (Jeremiah 8:9 NIV)
Computerized Model Reveals Details Of How Human Cells Divide
Over the years, scientists have pieced together a coherent story about how the process unfolds. And now the nonprofit Allen Institute in Seattle has taken advantage of that knowledge to produce a visualization of human cell division suitable for professional scientists and curious amateurs alike. (The computerized visualization above shows the anaphase stage of cell division.) –NPR