[FreeAtlanta]

If I understand your reply, I don't agree. The first sentence of Genesis states that God created the heavens and the earth. That might be part of the first day or it might be a long time before the narrative continues and "now" the earth was formless and empty. I believe - although it isn't important to our salvation - that there was a lot of time between the original creation of Earth and the likely recreation that began with the second sentence in Genesis.

From there forward, I take the days as literal days.

Other than explaining why the earth looks and is empirically very old, I only care about this because young earth theory does tend to drive off scientifically minded young people who might otherwise see the glory of our God. The idea of there being a lot of time between the first sentence and the second is clean and simple. It might be wrong, but is God the author of confusion?

[Raycpa]

Try as you might, Genesis and evolution is cannot be reconciled. I started where you are 15 years ago. I have looked at the gap theories and have concluded the text does not support it for numerous reasons.

[Raycpa]

Is it easier or harder for the scientific mind to accept resurrection than a young earth or a God who dies on a cross or water into wine?