[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.

[Natural Law]

"Try as you might, Genesis and evolution is cannot be reconciled."

That all depends on how we define the terms. Genesis is certainly not compatible with abiogenesis or biopoiesis in which life spontaneously arose from organic chemicals, but Genesis is not incompatible with intelligent design. God's idea if Himself is the perfect order and harmony of all creation, it is the Second Person of the Trinity. The laws of physics and mathematics, and the process of ensuring life will adapt and survive in changing environments are a part of that perfect order and harmony. The Catholic Church calls that Natural Revelation and it is no less miraculous than the act of creation itself.

Peace be with you.

[patlin]

Considering that the word “genesis” is not of Hebrew origin and the fact that it did not even exist as a word until the late 16 early 17th century, why don't we take a look at how it was defined prior to its “Greco-latin” inception.

The word “genesis came from the Greek word “ap arche” which means the “beginning of sacrifice, first fruits” which is the exact same as it is defined in the Hebrew word “re she’th”. When read in Hebrew, the word is “bre’she’th” because there is the Hebrew letter “Bet” (house) in front of “re’she’th” signifying that the “first fruits” or the “beginning sacrifice” is from the House of God”.

Simply what this is telling us is that the Word of God is true and indeed did prophecy that the “first fruits” of God was slain from the foundation of the world.

Yeshua haMashiach being the “first fruits” of God, we see His plan of redemption right from the start. Yeshua being the light, was in darkness and then was called forth, “there was evening (darkness of the grave) and morning (light of eternal life), the first day.

And take notice that this “light” on day one is not the same light as what was created on day 4. Day one, the light came forth out of darkness and day 4 the light is created and is used reckon God's calendar and His appointed times (seasons = mo’ed, specifically appointed times. see 1Thess 5 and the “sons of light”)

the light of day 4 gets its light from the light of day one and therefore, the reason there is no need of the sun, moon or stars in the eternal kingdom.

Ps 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Jn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. 2 He was in the beginning with Elohim.

Gen 1:1 בראשׁית ברא אלהים (alef-tav / alpha-omega) את השׁמים וא הארץ (alef-tav with the 'vav'(the nail) connecting the heavens and the earth)

Studying the Hebrew reveals the un-translated word that reveals "He" who is the "first" and the "last", Yeshua haMashiach, the Word of God that put on flesh and just as He was slain in the beginning, He came to be slain in the flesh to redeem mankind from their sin so that they would go and sin no more through the power of His Holy Spirit who leads and guides all who are in He the Mashiach, in spirit and in all truth.

[Cronos]

Please could you elaborate why the text does not support gap theory?

[FreeAtlanta]

I don't believe in evolution. I believe that modern man was created 6,000 years ago. My belief that the earth might be billions of years old has zero to do with trying to reconcile with evolution. If Genesis read "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep... And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." I would have to rethink my view of creation.