In reading the Bible, mostly NIV since the KJV is a bit difficult
for me to grasp, and other Bible studies, I ran across subjects that
I researched online. In my research on the "seven creative periods"
I found your web site.
I have a BS in geology and worked in the petroleum industry for a
short while after college and my education and scientific training
has always created and unexpressed conflict with the biblical
account of creation. I had just created in my mind the thought that
there was an older earth or rationalized that God's calendar day was
measured in eons and not 24 hours unless He wanted it to be. So in
faith I blended my doubts about the young earth theories.
When I found your web site I was so absorbed and thrilled that
finally I have found that I can without doubt bring my scientific
mind into a perfectly rational continuity of my purist biblical
beliefs! Thank you so much for the extensive work and research you
have done!
When I mentioned to my pastor yesterday that I have discovered a
revelation and then described your position on old vs young earth he
acknowledged his awareness. I almost asked him why he hadn't shared
this in a sermon. Then I sent him a link to your web site and his
immediate response was as you warned in your material.....oh, this
is a KJV only opinion. You have to be careful of their scholarly
understandings....in fact they have no scholarly understanding!! I
was shocked and then I realize that this young man is only 42 and
has been trained in only the modern language bible translations.
While I understand that the Creation Museum is very impressive and
makes a strong and seemingly logical argument for a young earth, it
is hurting believers' ability to reach the intellectuals and in
particular the scientific community of non-believers.
Again thank you so much! I am now called to raise funds for an
international mission ministry and of course I meet with believers
all the time. Creation often comes up and now I have a solidly
logical and biblical position which I can contend for!!
Many blessings,
|
Dear Robert,
Thank you SO MUCH for writing and sharing your testimony. This email
comes as an encouraging blessing, especially since only last week
the Lord made a way for me to finally put these materials into
book-form, so I can get this message out to more believers like
yourself. Hopefully, that will happen by this summer.
There is so much modern prejudice against the old KJV Bible, yet
that Holy Book can reveal so much, if you are willing to let the
Lord lead your understanding, not the scholars. I ask you to please
pray for this ministry and share what you have found here with
others.
God bless.
Gaines Johnson
|
I have a B.S. degree
(1984) and have been troubled for many years having my
own internal conflicts with EVERYONE I know, teaching
YEC everywhere I attend church; but deep down never
being able to reconcile my own obvious knowledge of the
world around me (stratigraphy, paleontology,
geophysics...etc...) Few people I run across have my
background, as a Geologist, Computer System Engineer and
a Christian and finding your Website is a blessing as
finally I can put some pieces together that make sense.
A requirement to accept the Bible as God's perfect Word
and accept His creation around me, as well as accept the
obvious evidence of His creation and work over a very
long time. Your site will help me to praise, give
thanks, glorify and worship our perfect Creator now
better than I ever have in the past! At last I can
reconcile Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 with the rest of Genesis,
the Bible and my scientific upbringing. I can have
something that makes real-world sense as I witness to an
unbelieving scientist God's Creation, in hopes of Him
becoming a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. I am with
you, God is NO liar, he would not fashion a pretend
world of billions of years! No, he made that world, it
can not be duplicated by man no matter how hard he
tries. Now my mission is to research what I have
learned on your Web site, pray and fast. Then
after-wards I plan on talking to my Pastor and others at
my church...yes I may get some resistance, but I now
have a feeling of peace in me that this is more in line
with God's true nature and the scriptures, plus it lines
up with the physical world around me.
God Bless you my friend,
John
Keller, Texas
|
Hi John,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write and to
give this personal
testimony. Your very encouraging email goes right to the
heart of this
website's intended mission and purpose. God bless you
too, my friend.
Gaines Johnson |
What a wonderful site! I just wish
this info was available in book form or study Bible form.
As one who has been involved through family in the oil patch for
several generations, growing up in it as did my mother, I can tell
you this is much needed info in the fields.
You teach what I grew up learning about Genesis. During that time
Baptist churches in the patch were very successful at winning the
lost.
Now with YE Creationism rampant, and most folks in the patch with a
working knowledge of geology, the lost come to church once, are
basically told they must somehow drum up ability to accept YEC or
they cannot be saved.
And so, they walk out the door thinking Christians are just a bunch
of ignorant nuts.
Truly, we need much more of this teaching if we are to reach the
oilfield lost.Linda
|
Brother
Gaines,
I attended a bible study session with my bother
and his wife and other couples recently. These
are the same folks that regularly attends Church
services. The speaker that night was the 83
year-old father of one of the other attendees.
This gentlman's lession was over the Gap Theory
and how it is not a theory. This made so much
sense to me that I had to pursue further
information and ran across this web site. I
have read every link with so much excitement.
The fact that you back every word with scripture
is powerful. Nothing can stand against God's
Word.
I had given a presentation some time back on the
the importance of understanding God's Word by
understanding the beginning written in Genesis.
My faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is solid but I
find myself constantly in a position of not
being able to answer the dinosaur, why would God
create evil, you beleive the earth is only 6000
years old, etc. etc. While this is irrelevent
to the Christian issomuch as all we need to know
is God provided a a plan for us and it was
through Jesus Christ. It helps when witnessing
to the skpetics.
Thanks you so much for taking the time to post
this priceless information on the Web.
Your Brother in Christ,
Kelly
|
I was raised in the church and since I was a little boy I thought
that it was strikingly odd that a God of light would start his
creation out in darkness as mentioned in Genesis 1:2. Anything that
God created was full of glory from the beginning of its creation,
especially Adam. Why wouldn't the Earth have been the same. I
realized it was not created that way but became that way. But many
in the Church emphatically believe that that is the way it came from
God's hand, which absolutely made no since to me. I felt alone in my
view for a while until I discovered your website. It has been
refreshing to know that many others feel the same. Thanks!!!
Clayton |
Hi,
Just wanted to say that your site has been most enjoyable as I have
been reading each of the works listed in your index. I have been
praying for the Lord to reveal to me, with wisdom and understanding,
how the world we live in came about and what is the true meaning of
all the fossils found in our earths surface. Theistic evolution is
a travesty to me, forcing Christians to discount parts of the Word
of God to be untruths or myths penned by mere men to gain
understanding of God. Rather, I believe the Word of God to be
truth, every word, and have enjoyed seeing how much every word
really is truth. It seems every little word has a big meaning!!
Anyway, I just wanted to add something to your "The firmament, third
heaven, and structure of things biblical" essay. When Christ died
the curtain representing the "sea" was torn in the temple. I guess
that represents that the sea has been removed for those who follow
Christ.
I found it amazing to read about the sea and especially the part
where the molten sea was made for the temple. The first time I read
that in the Bible, I didnt see the real meaning of that sea upon the
backs of the bulls, now, I do. Thanks to your works.
Take care,
Heath |
Hello all.....
I am very excited and thankful for this website. It is by far the
best of all Bible websites. I have been a teacher of the KJV for
many years and the information you provide here is very accurate and
very informative. Thanks a bunch and happy studying!
Buddy |
| You know for years and years and years
I thought there was a gap in Genesis. I thought foolishly it seems I
was the only one who saw it. Come to find out there is a Whole
theory on it. How wonderful! I read almost this entire site and I
must say excellent work. I have already pointed many people to this
site as I think this theory needs a wider audience and fills holes
that both evolution and science can't seem to fill. Jim |
THANK YOU!!
You have brought me together with my lost love - the KJV!
The professionally written piece on the Gap Theory was without hype
and the degradation so often accompanying the dispensing of
scriptural teachings.
It is a straight forward (not to mention easy reading)
matter-of-fact account.
I have already made a list of all I will invite and recommend this
site to.
Thanks again,
Chuck |
Hello,
I was asked by a non christian about the
creation of earth 6,000 years ago as held by his
nieghbor, who insists that the bible is
infalible and that science is wrong.
so i searched and found your site, and now have
the tools to show my friend something more than
what his nieghbor has to say,
i have been aware of the Gap-Theory for many
years, knowing that it was possible to have a
great gap of time between Genesis 1:1 and
genesis 1:2
one thing though comes to memory, and that is:
1Ti 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is
committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and
vain babblings, and oppositions of science
falsely so called:
1Ti 6:21 Which some professing have erred
concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
an honest question, should we concern ourselves
with explaining oppositions of science, and the
vain babblings of those who try to disprove God
at every turn?
1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent
not to wholesome words, even the words of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is
according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but
doting about questions and strifes of words,
whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil
surmisings.
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt
minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing
that gain is godliness: from such withdraw
thyself.
It is my belief that men are won to Jesus by the
preaching of the gospel of Christ, and that the
Holy Ghost convicts men, and pricks their heart
from the Word of God, thereby men are
regenerated though the washing of the water of
the Word.
should we spend our precious time learning to
convince the nay sayers? casting our pearls
before the swine?
just some food for thought.
Sincerely Dennis.
|
| I was reading your side by
side debate of Gap & YEC. I have a question, Why would
a tree of knowledge of good and evil/death be placed in
the garden with a warning if there weren't already evil
to compare to the "Good" of the 6 day creation? Satan
would have to of already sinned and brought his future
distruction and loss of his first place and was
obviously trying to trick Adam and Eve out of the new
"dominion" over the earth and get it back. Simple Logic!
Why would satan and the angles for that matter, have to
of been created during the 6 days? God is eternal
without the constraints of time and at any chosen time
could have created them. I believe in the Gap theory and
there is alot more implied from scripture then the few
selected words God chose to give to us, to get us back
to being his sons for eternity. I find listening to
questions asked by lets just say people (Christians?)
that there is a weak presentation of the Bible and
Rightly Dividing the Word and even our lack of knowledge
of Hebrew and Jewish customs etc. has kept us in much
ignorance of God and His Plan. I have had a Schofield
Bible since becoming Born Again (1979). That's helped
alot, but I've still missed a great deal because of
teachers who discount concepts that don't fit in there
minds, like the nephilim and now I'm learning of
hominids. They are afraid to explore what they can't
phantom. Why would God create Satan in the Garden after
Adam, for what purpose? He'd have to have iniquity in
his heart at the beginning to compete with Adam or they
would both be friends not adversaries. Anyway I love
your site and found it by reading again about the Garden
of Eden one morning and decided to "google" the rivers
and chose your site, then dug to find Christian Geoloy
Ministry to pass on your articles for others to read.
Thank You for all your hard work/research and
proclaiming the King James Bible!!!!!!!!!!! Your
articles are very thought provoking and informative.
God Bless You, Linda/Spring Hill, Fl. |
I tried to read some of your site
with an open mind. However, when you say that 2
Peter 3:5-7 was not referring to the earth before
the flood is bordering on ridiculous. The world that
was then perished, meaning it was alive. The context
that the earth will be destroyed by fire the next
time, as opposed to water the first time, is
absolutely and clearly contrasting the flood
destruction with the future fire destruction.
Ryan |
Praise God for your ministry, this
is unreal. Several years ago, the last half of the
nineties to be exact, unsatisfied with the normal
religious dogma, that is being taught, with God's
help and through his Holy Spirit, I started a
journey to find out what Genesis is really saying.
One of my favorite lines is, "The answers to the
end, are in the Beginning. I feel fortunate that
unlike many Christians, I was not subjected to the
teachings of most churches, but was able to look at
the Bible subjectively. there were too many things
in Genesis, that did not mesh with what was being
taught. But whenever I tried to share or discuss
with others, I was dismissed as being a nutcase.
Especially when I pointed out that Genesis is not
just a book about the beginning, but also a book of
Prophecy. Anyway, I am not a Geologist, but just
about everything I discovered, (with a few
differences) matches what you are teaching on this
site. The neat thing is, I only found this site
three days ago, so you can understand my excitement
at this confirmation of the truths I discovered.
Maybe some day, I can share with you, a clock,
calendar, daily, weekly, monthly, festivals, yearly
and millineal timeline that I made with the help of
the Holy Spirit, of how events are unfolded, from
the beginning to today. Just as the Old Testament is
a copy and foreshadow of the New testament, events
that happened before Christ, are exactly across a
point in time, to current events. Man has always
depicted time in a straight line, but God set it up
in a circle, and we are close to the circle being
rejoined to where it started. I no longer believe in
coincidence. Thank you for this blessing. Ken
|
I have
studied this doctrine for many years and
was always convinced by the Scriptures
given that there was a gap between
Genesis one and two. Since finding your
writings I am even more convinced. I
believe that anyone who gleans this site
thoroughly, reads all the Scriptures
provided with an open and honest heart,
and allows the Holy Spirit to lead them,
and then still refuse to believe there
was a gap between Gen. one and two, they
are the ones Jesus spoke about who just
simply refuse to believe. Jesus thanked
God that the truths of the Bible were
hidden from the Worldly Wise who refused
to believe, and stated that God has
"revealed them unto babes" (Matt.
11:25-27). The worldly wise refuse to
humble themselves to believe and conform
to the Bible (Matt. 13:10-17). I thank
you for your work and may God bless and
protect you.
Haz. |
Could you please try to give me an
explanation as to what I have found?
Earliest time of God and Noah's flood 2500
B.C.
Add from 1 A.D. 2008 (Now) 2008 A.D. Equals
4508 years of time from the world wide
flood.
Bristlecone pine trees, one tree, rings
counted at 4,862 years in 1964 A.D. Add 44
years to today 2008. Equals 4906 years from
seed. If This tree is now 4906 years old and
the flood took place 5084 years ago, do the
math.
The trees are 4906 years old and still
living, The Flood 4508 years ago These trees
were living 398 years before the flood, at a
mountain elevation of half that of Mt Ararat
16,854 Ft.
What do you think? Bill |
Bill,
I've read about the Bristlecone pine trees
and I have no doubt that they
are every bit as old as their rings tell us,
including those that are older
than the time of Noah's flood. In resolving
this issue keep a few things in
mind:
1. The waters of Noah's flood were 'fresh
water' that came down as rain.
That precipitation, which is lighter than
salt water, would rest as a 'lens'
atop the ocean's water. Fact: the trees were
submerged in fresh water.
2. The trees are found at an altitude of 16K
feet above sea level. The flood
waters would have covered these trees for
less time than the full year of
Noah's flood, because of their altitude and
because the receding waters
would have uncovered them months before
trees near sea level.
3. The waters of Noah's flood were
relatively gentle in their rise and fall
(fueled by precipitation), which means they
were not subjected to strong
currents and the power of rushing streams.
Conclusion: The trees would not
have been uprooted or destroyed by the
flood.
4. Certain trees can survive prolonged
submersion in fresh water and
recover. The fact that the Dove plucked a
fresh leaf from an onlive tree and
brought it to Noah at flood's end tells us
that. There could have been no
leaf available if an olive tree had not
survived the prolonged submersion
somewhere close to where the Ark was at that
time.
So, if you look at it logically, there is no
problem with the old trees.
I hope this is helpful.
God bless.
Gaines Johnson'
|
|
(Note: We attempted to answer this
gentleman's question directly by email, but the sender's mail host
rejected the response. It is such an important question, I decided
to openly answer it here. It addresses the same question in the
message immediately below this one.)
I am glad that you take a stand on
what you believe. And I am also glad to read that you use the King
James Version. I just have one question. When reading my Bible I
found a verse in II Peter chapter two. In verse five the Apostle
Peter through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit writes of the old
world. The verse says "And spared not the old world". He then goes
on to write "but saved Noah the eighth person". This passage if of
no doubt referring to the Noah's flood of Genesis. Why in this
passage would he refer to the flood of genesis and then in II Peter
3:5-7 refer to "a previous populated earth." If you are right and
the Bible is infallible, which it is, then how can you explain the
contradiction that appears if you are right. Please email me. I
would like to know.
Charles
|
Charles,
I understand your point and it is a
natural assumption to make that 2 Peter 3:5-7 is a reference by
Paul back to his discussion of Noah's flood in 2 Peter 2:5.
Many believers assume this. However, if you read the verse immediately preceding 2 Peter
3:5-7 you will see the true context of the verses in question:
2 Peter 3:4: "And saying, Where is
the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep,
all things continue as they were from the
beginning of the creation."
The context of what follows is a
reference back to the time of the seven days of Genesis, not
Noah's flood. It is a reference to the judgment that fell on the
old preAdamite world, by water.
That context is verified by the
verse that follows the passage:
2 Peter 3:8: "But, beloved, be
not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as
a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
What do days
being equated to a thousand years have to do
with Noah's flood. Nothing! But the seven days of Genesis are a
prophetic type of the seven thousand years of human history of
this present creation, with the last 1000 being the day of rest,
the 1000 years of the Kingdom of the Lord's reign on the earth,
spoken of in Revelation 21.
If you couple these contextual
brackets, with the other points I outlined on the website, it
makes for a sound argument. The Scriptures are infallible, and
they can not be broken.
You may not agree with this line
of reasoning, but thank you for asking.
Gaines
|
Dear
Sir,
I am a believer who also rightly
divides. The issue of a gap theory
is something that I recently have
heard of and started studying. I
have not come to any conclusions,
but am deeply bothered by a couple
of things on your site. The first
is what I believe is a twisting of
scripture. You state that 2 Peter
3:5-7 is not referring to Noah. I
believe that if you take this in
context, you will see that this is
referring to Noah and the flood. I
this passage there is a warning to
beware of scoffers who deny the
promise of God concerning his
coming. There main issue is that
all things have continued as they
were from the beginning of
creation. The defense against
these scoffers is that God did in
fact punish the world with a flood
and that the world that then was
perished with water. I believe that
this verse is still in the context
of 2 Peter 2. In order to shorten
this letter, let's look specifically
at 2 Peter 2:5 " And spared not the
old world, but saved Noah the eighth
person, a preacher of righteousness,
bringing in the flood upon the world
of the ungodly;" This passage is
talking about the judgement by God
will SURELY come to these false
prophets and teachers. God is
showing this by what he has done in
the past to judge people who do the
same and the most significant of
these was bringing the flood upon
the world of the ungodly. We know
that God will not destroy the world
with a flood again, however, he
surely will judge the world. I
believe that the scoffers in 2 Peter
3 are in essence saying God will not
judge the world. Not admitting the
judgement with the flood as
referenced in 2 Peter and saying the
world has been the same since the
beginning and there has been no
judgement. Also note in 2 Peter 2:5
it refers to an "old world" which
also ties in nicely to 2 Peter
3:5-7. Please share with me your
views on my interperation of
scripture.
The other thing that bothers me
about the site is the sarcasm used
when talking about people who
believe in New Earth Creation. I
tend to lean towards NEC, but am
trying to honestly and openly study
scripture to come to an
understanding. The sarcasm and
critical comments offend rather than
draw in. I find that it attacks the
NEC believer rather than sharing
scripture in love.
Best regards,
David
|
|
I found your site quite by accident while searching
for other material. But as I read I realized you
were stating the same things I have believed for the
past 48 years and had been called crazy, out of the
mainstream and a lot of other names just by
mentioning what I believed...
Thanks
Aaron
|
|
I am very shocked to see the reportings on this
website. I have faith and believe in Jesus but did
not realize how close the world is to an end. I
first thought most people just felt like saying it
since the topic has been covered for few hundred if
not thousands of years. My own studies and
interpretions of some of the articles along with
many hours of my personal studies has opened my
mind, specially over the last few days. I want to
grow in my faith and want my roots to be strong
unlike many other times I have turned to GOD and
then back to the earthly ways. I would like to say
"Thank You" and may GOD bless the person in charge
of this website with many folds. One sole is saved
and the seed has been fertlized. Again Thank You for
obeying GOD and doing work in the name of GOD/Jesus,
Amen
|
|
Hi,
I find this site very in depth. I use to ascribe to
Dr. Hovind's presentation as well as Answers in
Genesis etc, until one day it was pointed out to me
what the "gap" in the Gap Theory actually was. I
used to believe that the Gap Theory was a form of
Theistic Evolution that denied the literal 24hr 6
creation days. When Genesis 1:2 was presented to me
in its context, it was the first time I actually
understood Gen.1:2. Another thing that was pointed
out to me is that God NEVER creates anything without
form and void, and the words without form and void
are the condition of the Earth after destruction,
not creation...Thanks for this great info and God
Bless - Steve
|
Dear Gaines,
After
scanning your work my insatiable curiosity kicked in
so I put the search engine to work with these
terms: “Creation Ruin Reconstruction”. I was
rewarded with nearly 800,000 hits, most of which
consist of Young Earthers desperately trying to dis-credit
the ‘Gap Theory’ mindset.
My
personal criteria: If it makes sense, I accept it.
The ‘Young Earth’ version does not make sense. The
Bible, science, and geology make sense, ‘nuff said.
God bless you
in your work,
Gene
Martinsburg, WV
|
Dear Bro. Johnson,
GREAT SITE!! I have been on it the last two nights!!
Please KEEP UP the great work!!
You're helping sinner and saint alike...at least, the
OPEN-MINDED ONES!
I was convinced of the gap 'theory' (Why is it STILL
called a theory?) a few years ago,
by a book by Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse: The Invisible
War;
G H Pember's book also pitched in: Earth's Earliest
Ages.
I applaud your courage in presenting this ACCURATE view
of creation chronology, which so many Christians WON'T
CONSIDER!!
I was talking to dear sister tonight, about the 'gap',
and she pulled out her Bible, and said ---
'Show me in here where it is written (that there was a
civilization here BEFORE Adam and Eve)!'
People have trouble understanding that GOD did not SPELL
OUT EVERYTHING in HIs word;
if HE did, at least 2 problems would arise:
1 - the book itself would be TOO BIG, with too many
subjects, and the salvation issue would not have the
central position GOD intended the Bible to give it.
There would be too much 'distraction' in His book...the
devil provides enough of that as it is.... :)
2 - if He spoon fed us info, what need would we have to
SEEK Him for more understanding / revelation of Him?
God wants to be SOUGHT by men; this act of seeking, in
turn, changes our character for the better, making us
more like Jesus (as we spend time in study and prayer to
God for more knowledge of Him).
Further, God created a MARVELOUS THING when He made the
human MIND...
I think He takes pleasure in seeing us apply our reason
in pursuit of godly truth, using the inductive reasoning
process to derive truth that is written 'just beneath
the surface' of the words on the page, just as you do
with your discussion of 2 Pet. 3:5-7.
Did you ever make something, and then stand back with
great pleasure and watch it WORK? Again, I have to
believe GOD ENJOYS seeing humans apply their vast mental
ability to a greater understanding of Him.
Further, I have noticed in my life, when I have truly
HUNGERED for truth, He has provided it, often, even
usually, in a way that lets me know it HAD to be
Him...Just Saturday, I was contemplating the 'water
canopy' idea, I had seen in one of Dr. Clarence Larkin's
books...that very night, when I asked God to 'take me
somewhere of great interest on the web' --- He landed me
on your site for the first time. I think I sat there for
over 2 hours, reading with great joy and delight....
In conclusion, here is something the Holy Ghost told me
about studying God's word, which I think you will
appreciate
- I paraphrase:
'MANY TIMES, it is JUST as IMPORTANT, as you read my
Word, to not only ask yourself -
What is God saying?...
but, to also ask yourself -
What is God NOT saying?
Doing this will help you understand more...'
GOD BLESS!
Jim - Union, New Jersey
|
|
Hi
I'd like to thank you so much for this website.
I never wanted to get involved with the whole Evolution debate,
but my mind just did not want to let it go. When I first heard
the theories of Creation Science, I was happy to accept it, and
it strengthened my faith. Being a person who often talk before I
think, and full of confidence that what I've heard is the
falsification of 200 years of science, I jumped into the EvC
debate. To my horror, I saw all my creationist arguments shot to
pieces. Needless to say, this brought along a lot of doubts.
It went on and off for a couple of years, but in the past few
months I got closer to loosing my faith than ever before. The
realization got through to me that if the earth was young, then
you should not have to be a Christian to be able to see that in
geography. And if Genesis 1 is wrong about creation, us and
death, what does that say about Jesus? The only think that kept
me was the Holy Spirit - and previous books of the miraculous
accounts of missionaries, especially the book called "I dared to
call Him Father". I knew that I am able to believe in the (YEC
version) Genesis account, despite all the scientific evidence,
but what about the day I've got children of my own? The idea of
them loosing their faith due to my inability to understand the
conflict made it imperative that I find the answer. I took the
issue to God.
I prayed : God, you are the Creator of all things, you know the
answer. If you did use evolution and millions of years to create
the world, why didn't You just say so in the Bible? Surely You
must have KNOWN that a false creation story will lead to doubts
once we've discovered the truth. And if creationism is true, why
are non-believers not finding evidence of it in nature? You are
the author of both the bible and nature, and You Yourself said
you reveal yourself in nature. If Genesis 1 is true, how must we
understand the evidence of geology? The evolutionists say if You
planted it there to test our faith, You are dishonest. Lord, how
do I explain this? What must I answer? It is the glory of Your
Name that is at stake here.
I was angry with God that this apparent conflict existed. I've
never dared to be angry with God before, but on this issue, I
really was really angry, but I also trusted Him to provide the
answer. And sure enough, questions was raised in my mind, like :
if we were created immortal, why would there have been a Tree of
Life in Eden? Why was there a special garden if the entire
world was perfect? After announcing our punishment, God did not
change the conditions in Eden, instead Adam and Eve was chased
out. Could this mean that death already existed outside the
garden? Was death a direct result of sin, or was our separation
from the Tree of Life the direct cause? Was Immortality just
meant for us, or all living things? Wanting to explore these
issues with people who believe in the literal understanding of
Genesis, I raised them on a Christian forum, which, in turn lead
me to your website.
The Gap solution is elegant, so clean, so SIMPLE, that I was
dumbstruck on why I didn't think of this myself? Not billions of
years OR 6000 years, but billions of years AND 6000 years. It IS
possible not to have to choose between a literal understanding
of the Bible, and the scientific data. The Bible is about God's
relationship with US. What happened before the recreation, is
irrelevant and that's why the Bible don't mention it in detail.
Your website has restored my inner conflict with my faith, I
don't have to feel threatened by science anymore, and I read
with interest all your articles.
Regards
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Dear Gaines,
I'm not a particularly scientifically minded Christian, politics is more
my field but I have found your site to be informative and
understandable. It has answered a number of question I couldn't
comprehend regarding creation.
One thing I still don't understand is what the purpose of the pre-Adamite
race was? How do know they are pre-Adamite? Were they in someway related
to fallen angels/nephilim or satan? Its not particularly important but
it plays on my mind!
I've studied prohecy quite a bit and the gap theory does tie in with
post-trib, pre-armageddon events i.e the sun going dark and then "being
turned back on" for the milennial rule. There do seem to be similarities
between the two events.
My understanding is that the sun will not give it's light i.e "turned
off" rather than be obscured by cloud cover. Either way, whichever view
is right it will not change the fact that Jesus is coming back!
Many thanks
Steve
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Mr. Johnson,
Would you
elaborate on the fact that ancient hominids do not share our DNA? It
seems to me that this fact alone destroys any structure that
supports the young earth theory.
Thank you.
Lawrence
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Hi Lawrence,
You are absolutely correct in your reasoning. To date, any
successful DNA extractions from "ancient hominids" reveals they are
NOT genetically related to modern humans. Mainline evolutionary
science, of course, interprets this fact as evidence that these
hominids must have been a separate and ancient "branching off" of
humanity that eventually dead ended. Consequently, they must then
reason that this branching off must have happened back far earlier
in time than previously thought. That is a logical evasion of the
problem based on that paradigm.
And, as you correctly reasoned, the fact that the DNA from ancient
hominids does not reveal a genetic connection between them and
modern man does, indeed, logically suggest that, contrary to Young
Earth Creationists beliefs, those "ancient hominids" could NOT be
some deformed or lost branch of man, post Adam, and directly
descended from Adam, else they would have the DNA of modern man (all
from Adam and through Noah's bloodline).
These two facts do, indeed, falsify both the theory of Young Earth
Creationism AND the theory of evolution, concerning the ancestry of
modern man. Good luck, however, on getting either side to accept
this. Our Bible, of course, when rightly-divided, explains the DNA
issue with clarity. The Bible can not and will not contradict the
observable facts of God's creation (and DNA is certainly a part of
His work).
Thanks for writing.
Gaines
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I thought the following words of
Matthew Henry would bless you.....for they certainly were and are a
blessing to me. I dare not even mention "earth's age," lest most
Christians think it is heretical to even think that earth is more
than 6000 years old....they think you're an evolutionist rather than
a creationist! Foolishness! It just shows they're not yet able to
rightly divide the word of truth. I have had your website
book-marked under my "Favorites" for a long time.
Concerning the first verse in Genesis, Matthew Henry said: "The
first verse of the Bible gives a surer and better, a more satisfying
and useful knowledge of the origin of the universe, than all the
Volumes of the Philosophers."
He went on to say, "The lively faith of humble Christians
understands this matter better than the elevated fancy of the most
learned."
Awaiting His return,
Jean (a salty saint)
Louisville, KY |
Dear Mr.
Johnson,
I found this site after doing a search for some information
concerning the Gap Theory. I am a member of the Westover Baptist
Church in Hattiesburg, MS and my father is the pastor.Recently, a
group of our church's youth and some adults took a trip to Florida
and visited Dr. Dino's (Kent Hovind) Dinosaur Park. One of our
members purchased his video tape "The Age of the Earth" and it was
shown during a couple of our Sunday School classes. As I was
watching it, I noticed many errors in his science, his continually
contradicting himself, and his loose interpretation of scripture.
However, Hovind chooses to mask his lessons in comedy so that you
laugh instead of think about what he said, even though his message
in ingrained in the mind of the listener. I commented to one guy
after watching the video that he uses a lot of comedy in his
presentation, but if you ignore the comedy and listen to what he's
saying, you find youself thinking "wait, that isn't right". Some of
our members were taken in by this style so I was doing some research
to find some info to present the "other side" of the argument.
I found your site and spent several days reading and studying the
information provided. I found your site to be very valuable and
told my father about it. I was wondering if this information was
provided in a book form. My father has very slow dial up connection
and I have cable internet, so he can't spend a lot of time logged on
reading the site. I tried to copy the html onto a disk, but I lose
several of the links, such as the "mouse-over" of certain hebrew
words. I tried printing each page, but he print format came out
sort of messed up. If this information could be provided in book
form, it would be very valuable to those who don't have internet
access and I would be glad to purchase copies to place in our
church's library.
One reason I was trying to get this information to my father was
because when my father heard about the tape being viewed in Sunday
School, he asked to borrow it. He watched it at home and was so
bothered by it that he woke up in middle of the night thinking about
it. My father wanted to prepare a video with him discussing what
Hovind said with excerpts from Hovind's video. My father was mainly
discussing the errors in Hovind's use or misuse of scripture. But
since my father also has a degree in math and lacked only a couple
of courses before getting a second degree in physics, he was able to
explain some of Hovind's science errors. My father spent several
years working with NASA in satellite tragectory in the 60's before
surrendering to the ministry. His knowledge of orbits allowed him
to explain how the moon is NOT getting further from the earth, the
earth's slowing down, and certain other science. Hovind contends
that the moon is getting further from earth, meaning that the earth
couldn't be millions of years old or the moon would have been
extremely close to the earth.
As a registered professional civil engineer, I have certain
knowledge that I can debate many of Hovind's assumptions. Hovind is
extremely selective in his use of science. He searches and finds
science from any source that will support his assumptions and ignore
the vast amounts of science that contradicts his theories.
The video that my father prepared was shown in Sunday School this
morning, but I have not heard of the results or comments from the
audience because my father is preaching a revival this week and I
was at that church service.
One disagreement or question concerning an interpretation of
scripture is in Jeremiah 4: 23-28. I mentioned to my father that
you believe that verse is describing the tribulation and not the
earth in Genesis. He believes that the scripture is not describing
the tribulation because the earth does not become without form and
void, but would if not for Jesus. The earth became without form and
void because of the the sin of Satan and the same would happen to
this world if not for the salvation of Jesus. I suppose if
believing that the scripture is referring to Genesis, then the
meaning of the word "cities" would have to be determined. Does
"cities" mean structures built by man or does it refer to dwellings
of prehistoric "man" and animals? I am going to get him a copy of
this site to read and I have been studying it myself. Like I
mentioned before, a book form of this site would be very valuable.
I have not used the term "Dr. Hovind" because I still haven't found
evidence of his receiving a doctorate. I've known of others who
refer to themself as "Doctor" after receiving an honorary
doctorate. I've always viewed honorary doctorates as symbolic only,
such as a key to the city. The key doesn't really open anything and
an honorary doctorate doesn't mean you are a real doctor. Maybe he
prefers to refer to himself as "Dr. Hovind" to lend credence to his
theories. Also, he claims that by watching his college course on
video series, you can receive college credit, thus, he MUST be a
professor! All I've been able to learn about his education or
credentials is that he taught high school for 15 years. I guess my
biggest question is why are there those like Hovind who are so
obsessed with the earth being only 6,000 years old, when it is
contrary to science and scripture? To me, Satan gets a bye in that
theory. In believing the Gap Theory, you must believe that when
Satan sinned, he was unable to save the earth that he was in charge
of. God placed Lucifer over the earth in the beginning and when
Lucifer sinned by thinking he was as powerful as God, he failed and
the earth died, or became without form and void. By believing as
YEC do, there is no failure by Satan. He simply appeared on earth
tempting Adam and Eve.
Thank you for your time in reading this e-mail and again, I am very
glad to have found your site. It is very informative and gives me a
lot to study and to use in informing others of Hovind's erred
theories. I have given this link to others and I will be visiting
this site again.
Dave Steele |
Hi Dave,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns. I've had several
requests over the years for a printed copy of my website's material,
but have resisted doing so while still researching and updating. As
a policy I freely allow anyone to copy and print off anything from
the site and use it as the Lord leads. I'm also aware that,
sometimes, the html pages do not print off easily. Sorry about that,
but that is a drawback of coding the pages for interactive Internet
presentation.
Right now I am starting the long process of creating a new website
presentation on another ISP using a professional content management
software package. When completed there will be (Lord willing)
printer-friendly versions of the pages available. In the meantime
please feel free to copy off anything you can and use it as you see
fit.
With your permission, I would like to post a copy of your letter on
my website's letters to the webmaster page. I believe that what you
have so well written would be a helpful testimony to others who may
have made similar observations.
Again, thanks for writing and my regards to your father.
God bless.
Gaines |
If the universe was
“destroyed” 12,000 years ago along with the sun and the stars then
how is it that we can still see the light generated from those stars
older than 12,000 light years? You seem to be saying that the light
rays generated prior to 12,000 years were not destroyed. If they
were not destroyed then what are you saying happened with the
universe was made void?
Kevin |
Kevin,
I suppose I should clarify the term "destroyed" in this context. The
laws of physics tell us that matter or energy can not be destroyed.
It can be converted from one form to another (mass to energy e=mc2)
but not destroyed. Since light is a form of energy, then ancient
starlight can not be destroyed. It would be better to say that the
universe was "ruined" and that would better convey the intended
meaning and match the word "void" in that context. Thanks for you're
letter. I'll edit the text appropriately.
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