The earth was without form, and empty;

…. and darkness was on the face of the deep (Genesis 1:2).  We suggested last day, that saying God “made” the earth, sun and moon, as opposed to creating them (verses 16, 1), is fully consistent with them being formed from created matter, by natural processes. We will look at this today.  But I want to say first, notwithstanding the many disputes both in Science,  and in the way believers interpret things,  that compared with the various ancient creation myths, the Biblical account of beginnings is more than a little consistent with what Science is currently telling us about these things. Much of what I am saying here today can be found in astrophysicist Hugh Ross's well documented book “The Genesis question.”

Concerning “without form,” and natural processes, most researchers posit a series of collisions that took place after the solar system coalesced.  According to most models, more than 10 impacts with other bodies added bulk to our growing planet. The final collision, they believe, was with Theia, a rocky planetoid perhaps the size of Mars. Theia is said to have sideswiped Earth, leaving Earth mostly intact,  but destroying itself in the process. Its vaporized debris then eventually came together under gravity,  to form the  moon.

Concerning “empty,” scientists confirm that these terms describe what the early Earth was like. Some of this comes from observation of how other planets are being formed. Technological advances in the late 1970s gave astronomers their first opportunity to observe young stellar objects. More than 100 such objects have been studied,  and each one is surrounded by an extensive shell of gas and dust. Theory and observation confirm that planets start with opaque atmospheres (“darkness,” no light passes through). Thick layers of gases such as hydrogen, helium, methane and ammonia surrounds them. These clouds, combined with the dense shroud of interplanetary dust and debris, guarantees that no light or starlight can reach the surface of a young planet such as the young Earth. Scientists also confirm Earth started as a water world (“surface of the deep”), and that landmasses arose gradually as a result of volcanic activity and plate tectonics (Genesis 1:9).

So then the formless and empty condition of the young Earth as well as the initial darkness is entirely consistent with what science is currently telling us. Without light, photo synthesis could not occur the large pieces of interplanetary debris crashing into the earth’s surface at that time would generate catastrophes that nothing could survive,  making it empty of life.

Father, it seems that Science has tried hard to dismiss You, but You are not so easily dismissed. Science keeps tripping up over mystery, mystery about beginnings, mystery about black holes, and quirks and quarks etc., etc. I don't know how much You intervened in the formation of Earth, but if we are willing to put away our pride and open our eyes to see, I believe we will see signs of You everywhere. What I do know in the spiritual, is that You have not left us to struggle alone, but You are a very present help in time of need (Psalm 46:1). I also know that we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2).  In terms of the mess we are in, Your church is in grave need of repentance Lord, the first step in claiming Your promise of a healed land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Come and fill our emptiness Lord, in Jesus Name Amen