Bridging the Gap: The First 6 Days

By H. Donald Daae P. Geol

This book answers the exciting question as to the origin and history of the Earth from a geological and a biblical perspective. It reveals the astounding compatibility that exists between the record of geology and the record of the Bible. It reveals the result of a sovereign plan by the Amazing Architect and Creator of the Universe for this Earth. It also confirms the words of

Longfellows appeal to nature:

Come walk with me, she said,

into regions yet untrod,

And read what is unsaid

In the manuscripts of God.

The Earth has been a place of life and habitation since the beginning of the Archean Age. The questions arise: Who were the Earths First Inhabitants? When did ocean water first appear on Earth? When did the first species of plant and animal life appear on Earth? What was the dramatic Cambrian Explosion of Animal Life? How does this event relate to all future animal species? The December 1995 issue of Time Magazine entitled this event, When Life Exploded. It described the sudden Explosion of Animal Life as an amazing frenzy that changed our planet over night.

When did man and woman first appear on Earth? What were they like? What does the fossil evidence reveal?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 19, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449748166

H. Donald Daae P. Geol

It all began in November of 1970 when I was asked to teach an adult class on Geology, Archaeology and the Bible at First Alliance Church in Calgary, Alberta. This teaching has extended to many churches, places and to the formation of Genesis International Research Association.

Book preview

BRIDGING

THE

GAP

The First 6 Days

Revised Edition

Our Phenomenal Earth – Vol. 1

The Geological History of the Earth

H. Donald Daae P.Geol.

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Copyright © 2012 by H. Donald Daae P.Geol.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-4815-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-4814-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-4816-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012906727

Printed in the United States of America

WestBow Press rev. date: 08/27/2012

Back Cover

Don Daae, P.Geol.

The Biblical references are primarily from the New International Version and the New King James Version unless otherwise specified.

Many of the figures were originally prepared and drawn by Don Daae. Many of these figures were then redrawn, assembled and lettered by Elaine Daae and by Bette Davies.

This manuscript has capitalized all references to the Earth in view of the fact that it is a proper noun describing a real geographic place. It is in the same category as other proper nouns like Canada, Calgary, London, Jerusalem, Paris or Rome. However, Earth is not capitalized when quoted in the NIV, NKJV or other Bible references.

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Foreword

Chapter 1    The First Day of Creation

Chapter 2    The Second Day of Creation

Chapter 3    The Third Day of Creation

Chapter 4    The Fourth Day of Creation

Chapter 5    The Fifth Day of Creation

Chapter 6    The Sixth Day of Creation

APPENDICIES

APPENDIX A    The Biblical God of Creation

APPENDIX B    Yom: The Earth’s Long Days

APPENDIX C    The Evening and the Morning

APPENDIX D    Words For God’s Creative Acts

APPENDIX E    Other Creation Concepts

APPENDIX F    Dating the Universe & the Earth

APPENDIX G    The Three Heavens

List of Figures

Acknowledgements

How did the ancient writers of the Bible over 5000 years ago know that the universe had a beginning, whereas it was not until A.D. 1929 that scientists became aware of this and now consider it to be fact? Before this, the scientific consensus was that the universe had always existed. The science of geology is barely 300 years old. It is the study of the rocks of the Earth and the record of events as displayed by the layers deposited over time and the progression of living forms as shown by the fossils that are contained in the rocks, the sequence in which they are displayed is also correctly described in the Bible. Don Daae has made a remarkable achievement in establishing the degree to which the science of geology conforms to God’s word. His volumes Bridging The Gap—Volumes 1 and 2 will answer many questions about the history of the Earth and man’s place in it.

Michael Berisoff, P. Geol.

For Bible readers who wonder how the Biblical story of creation may relate to the geological history of our Earth, this book will provide the answer. Don Daae is an experienced geologist and teacher. He shows that the Genesis record of Creation agrees completely with the geological record. Herein is a valuable addition to the limited number of works that clearly show that the Day Age concept of Creation is both possible and trustworthy.

Mertie Beatty, M.Ed

This book is dedicated to my loving wife Evelyn, and to my two daughters Elaine and Connie and to their family members.

Special Thanks

I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. W. Gerry Loewen, B.A., LL B., a personal friend, and to the Rev Lowell L. Young, who under the Lord’s guidance were instrumental in giving birth to these series of lectures on Geology, Archaeology and the Bible at the First Alliance Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance at Calgary, Alberta, Canada in November of 1970.

Special thanks are due to Paul Davies who performed the major edit of the original copy of my first book², Bridging the Gap: The First ⁶ Days. It was through his commercial art business where he completed the type setting and artwork for my original book, Bridging the Gap: The First ⁶ Days. This book became a reality in 1989. It was originally published through Genesis International Research Association in Calgary, Alberta and printed by Spring Arbor Distributors, Belleville, Michigan.

This revised edition of Bridging the Gap: The First 6 Days, Vol. One. is an updated version of the original 1989 copy. It reveals the remarkable compatibility that exists between the record of geology and the record of the Bible going back in time from the end of the Pleistocene Ice Age to when the crystalline crust of the Earth began to form at about 4.6+ billion years ago.

Many thanks are due to my wife Evelyn for her considerable help and encouragement she has given to me and to my daughter Elaine who assisted with the artwork of many of the Figures.

I wish to thank our Genesis International Research Association Board Members for their encouragements. Many thanks are due to our Chairman Mike Gilders, P.Geol. He assisted with certain figures and with portions of the manuscript. He also originally established our website. I also want to thank Warren Clendining, P.Geol. He set up our present website. See our website at www.gira.ca.

Many thanks are due to our Board Members Mertie Beatty for editing the entire manuscript and to Mike Berisoff, P.Geol. who edited major portions of the manuscript.

Preface

I wish to clarify my personal convictions as a creationist. I am dedicated to the following basic concepts: 1) Special Creation. 2) A literal Bible interpretation. 3) Divine design and purpose in nature. 4) The creation of the Earth about 4.6+ billion years ago. 5) The creation of Man and Woman within the last 10,000 years.

I owe a great debt to the late Walter J. Beasley,² F.R.G.S., Past President of the Australian Institute of Archaeology, Melbourne, Australia, whose book "Creation’s Amazing Architect" has been a major inspiration to me. It was Mr. Beasley who came forward with a chart showing the unique relationship of geology to the six days of creation. This book is an enlargement upon his excellent work. The History of the Earth chart included herein is modeled and revised after that of Mr. Beasley. See Figure 1-1.

References

1.   H. Donald Daae, P.Geol., Bridging the Gap: The First 6 Days. Published by Genesis International Research Association, Calgary, Alberta. 1989. Printed by Spring Arbor Distributors, Belleville, Michigan.

2.   Beasley Walter, F.R.G.S., AMAZING ARCHITECT, Marshall, Morgan, & Scott, Ltd., London & Edinburgh, 1955

Introduction

The purpose of this revised book is to demonstrate that the science of geology supports and promotes the theological concept of Special Creation. A second purpose is to provide a clarification of the Special Creation position with regard to the Day Age concept, showing how the Biblical Six Days of Creation relate directly to the Geological History of the Earth.

This Day Age concept considers each creation day to be a long period of time, perhaps many millions of years, and that each creation day relates to a certain period of geological time, as outlined in Figure 1-1. This is in contrast to those who believe in the Young Earth Concept, which generally states that the Earth is some 6,000+ years old, and that each day of creation represents a 24-hour day period.

This Day Age concept differs somewhat from the Gap Creationist concept which envisages two separate creations separated by an indefinite period when the Earth was in a waste and void state.

In this book, an appeal is made to the professional earth scientist, lay person, evolutionist, and creationist, to set aside any preconceptions and prejudices, and to consider a new approach to the creation model.

Both the creationist and the evolutionist attempt to explain the origin of the universe, the Earth, plant and animal life and man. They both utilize the same scientific data base in order to construct their models; however their basic philosophies and interpretations are quite divergent.

The details, both scientific and theological of creation and subsequent processes of change influencing our Earth are the subject and discourse of this book.

Figure 1-1, reveals the amazing compatibility that exists between the record of the Bible and the record of Geology. One begins to realize that one can trust both records. The big question arises, how is it possible to trust both records when there appear to be so many diverse opinions? To the Darwinists, this is impossible. To those who believe in Creation Science, this is impossible.

Foreword

by

Pastor Lowell L. Young

Calgary, Alberta, 1988

The Author of this much needed volume, Mr. Donald Daae, is fully qualified to write from both a spiritual and professional standpoint. Spiritually, he knows the Bible. Professionally, he knows geology.

These chapters were born in the womb of teaching. As Mr. Daae’s Pastor, I had the privilege of giving birth to the lessons in our adult Elective Studies. Soon, the knowledge of the series was area-wide. Demand for the course was great.

Mr. Daae now writes to me and graciously invites me to append my words of introduction. Those who have listened and learned from these lectures, as well as those who have not heard by the hearing of the ear, will profit from this permanent form.

I embrace with elation the privilege of commending this book and invite you, in the words of Tennyson’s appeal of nature.

Come walk with me, she said,

Into realms yet untrod,

And read what still is unsaid

In the manuscripts of God.

01fig11.jpg

Figure 1-1: History of the Earth as it relates to the Record of Geology and to the Record of the Bible.

Chapter 1

The First Day of Creation

Introduction

The First Day of Creation began the moment God began his work of old. The Bible alludes to this moment and to the period of time prior to the First Day as follows:

"The Lord possessed me (wisdom) in the beginning of his way, BEFORE HIS WORKS OF OLD. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning before the earth was." (Proverbs 8:22-23, NKJV).

fig1-2.jpg

Figure 1-2: The First Day of Creation.

It reveals what the Earth was like towards the latter part of the First Creation Day.

The time that existed prior to the creation of the universe, the heavens and the Earth is infinite. God has always been. He is from everlasting to everlasting as is recorded in the following passage:

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." Psalm 90:2, (NKJV).

The question arises where did God reside prior to the creation of the universe and the Earth? The answer to this profound question would be simply this: God has always resided in His Third Heaven. This is God’s Home. This is where He resides today and is where He has always resided in ages past. It is in a different dimension that is presently in the realm of the invisible. It is also the future home of all believers who have been willing to allow the Triune God to take up residency into their own heart and life.

Figure 1-2 reveals what the Earth was like after the Fall of Lucifer and at the very beginning of the Proterozoic Age. See Figure 1-1. However, what was the Earth like prior to this time? Geologists state that the oldest rocks on Earth and samples brought back from the moon, based upon radiometric methods of dating, would be about 4.6+ billion years in age. This would mean that God began His work of old was even of an earlier age. See Figure 1-1.

In this Chapter we will examine the different historical and geological stages that the Earth has experienced during the First Day of Creation. In order to do this, we will now begin to open the window pertaining to the Biblical and the Geological history of the First Day of Creation. But first, let us gain a brief insight into who is God?

Who is God?

Our finite minds demand a beginning and an end, but with God there is no beginning and no end. God is the great timeless One as He stated to Moses in Exodus 3:14 (NKJV), I AM WHO I AM. God is always in the eternal present as the great I AM of the universe. He is also the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity. We read in Isaiah 57:15 (NKJV), For thus says the High and Lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones." He is the all powerful, all knowing and everywhere present God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the great unchanging God. We will change and all creation will change, but God will always be the same throughout all time and eternity.

God revealed to Moses that He has always been when He said, "I Am that I Am (Exodus 3:14). God is always in the eternal present, as the great I AM" of the universe.

God the Father can be likened to the Great Divine Architect. He is the one who came forth with an architectural plan, blueprint and design for the universe of stars and galaxies and the Earth. God the Son can be likened to the Great Divine Creator and Carpenter. He is the one who created this vast universe of stars and galaxies and the Earth according a plan set out by His Heavenly Father. God the Holy Spirit can be likened to the Great Divine Indweller. He is the one who indwells all space and time. In other words, God the Father, God the Son and God the God Holy Spirit were co-workers in the overall work of planning, creating, forming, sustaining and indwelling the heavens and the Earth. See Figure 1-3.

03fig13.jpg

Figure 1-3: Elohim, the Biblical Triune God.

How Big is God?

God has to be bigger than the universe of stars and galaxies. The God of the Bible has three distinct qualities. He is Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent.

According to Webster’s College Dictionary¹, "Omnipresent means being present everywhere at the same time. King David in ² Kings 2:5-6 (NIV) summed it up neatly when he said, The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. ⁶But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him?" This means that the vast universe of stars and galaxies is too small to contain the God of the Bible. See Figure 1-3.

However, God’s Highest Heaven refers to God’s Third Heaven which extends far beyond our universe of stars and galaxies into infinity. It is presently in the realm of the invisible. This means that God’s Third Heaven is presently in a different dimension to that of the Earth and the universe.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, Omniscient means, "Having complete or unlimited knowledge. It refers to God’s ability to know absolutely everything. The Apostle Paul says, Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:13, NIV). Truly God is the source of all knowledge. This gives a glimpse into the unlimited, infinite greatness of God. All knowing means there is nothing that God does not know.

God is Omnipotent. This means He has infinite and unlimited power. God spoke the entire universe of stars and galaxies into existence. We read in Genesis 1:1 (NIV) "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The magnitude of this accomplishment has only been realized during recent times through the science of astronomy. We indeed serve an awesome God.

The Triune God

The God of the Bible is a Triune God. The Hebrew word for the Triune God is "Elohim. It is a masculine Hebrew noun that is always in the plural. It signifies a three in one relationship, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We read in Genesis 1:26 where God (Elohim) says, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." In this brief sentence, the plurality of the Godhead is brought out three times.

According to the Bible, God is infinite and the time prior to the creation of the universe and the Earth is infinite. God has always been. He is from everlasting to everlasting as is recorded in Psalm 90:2 (NKJV), "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God." How long is everlasting?

Our finite minds demand a beginning and an end, but with God there is no beginning and no end. God is the great timeless One, as He stated to Moses, I AM WHO I AM (Exodus 3:14 NKJV). God is always in the