| − | The '''gap theory''', or '''gap creationism''', is the theory that there was a gap of indeterminate length between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. This gap allows time for geological processes to occur, for fossils and coal to be deposited, and for the [[starlight problem]] to be addressed. The surface of the [[Earth]] was destroyed by a battle between [[God]] and [[Lucifer]], causing it to be "without form." The gap theory was popularized by the ''Scofield Reference Bible'' of 1917. | + | The '''gap theory''', or '''gap creationism''', is a theory of creation that asserts that there was a gap of indeterminate length between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. This gap allows time for geological processes to occur, for fossils and coal to be deposited, and for the [[starlight problem]] to be addressed. According to the theory, the surface of the [[Earth]] was destroyed by a battle between [[God]] and [[Lucifer]], causing it to be "without form" by time of verse 2. The gap theory was popularized by the ''Scofield Reference Bible'' of 1917. |