The Gap Theory

As we have started reading the Chronological Bible, one of the first questions that arises in the creation account is: "Why is the earth formless, void and dark? I thought God created the heavens and the earth to be good." One plausible answer seems to be what is called the "gap theory". This is the belief that between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2, there could be a HUGE time gap. God originally created the heavens and the earth out of nothing at some point in the past, (this would include a time when angels were also created), but became "formless, chaotic, dark and void" because of Lucifer's rebellion. See Isaiah 14:12-14, Ezekiel 28:12-19, Luke 10:17-18 and Revelation 12:3-4.

A cosmic war broke out where Lucifer became Satan and was thrown out of Heaven. This could also explain how Satan was in the Garden of Eden to tempt Eve.

So proponents of the gap theory suggest that in verse 2, God actually "re-created" the earth because of what had taken place sometime before. And that God could have "re-created" in six, 24-hour periods, resting on the seventh. Here is a video of Greg Boyd (author of God At War) explaining this theory.

Whether this theory is accurate or not, the most important thing to know is that God is the One who is Creator and His intentions are always good.