This teaching is our second session in our verse-by-verse study of the Book of Genesis by pastor Barry – given as part of our family service on 22nd January 2017.
Genesis is arguably the most attacked book in the Bible (Revelation comes a close second!).
This should come as no surprise because Genesis not only reveals God’s plan for mankind – i.e. to walk with God in harmony – but it also exposes Satan as the enemy and deceiver of the human race.
In this session we consider the ‘why?’ question. Why did God create everything anyway?
We then address something called ‘The Gap Theory’, which suggests there is a gap between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2, during which time there was purportedly a pre-adamic world where Satan ruled until God destroyed it. This was first proposed by a Scotsman called Thomas Chalmers in 1814 as a way to account for the supposed long geologic ages proposed by Swedenborg/Kant/Hutton/Lyell et al and to remove the perceived contradiction between ‘science’ (so called) and scripture.
So, is ‘The Gap Theory’ Biblical and how old is the Earth anyway? Can we really believe the Bible which suggests a young earth when so many scientists tell us the Earth and universe are billions of years old?
We also ask, when did Satan fall, and just a importantly, why did he and a third of the angels rebel against God? What could have been so important that he would give up his position as ‘the anointed cherub’? What did he hope to gain?
This study then concludes with some interesting insights to challenge and encourage.
You can listen to the audio on this web page, or save it for later listening. We have also made available all of the Powerpoint slides (in PDF format) used by pastor Barry during this study.
For further study, detailed study notes are uploaded each week as part of the Pastor’s Blog section of this web-site. The blog accompanying this study can be found at: https://www.calvaryportsmouth.co.uk/2017/01/the-battle-for-the-earth/
We hope and pray this study will bless you and encourage you to undertake your own personal study and adventure in God’s Word!
