The word "created" implies the original earth was brought into being out of nothing by God, not formed from already existing material.
In Genesis 1:1, the Hebrew word bara means "called out of nothing." Les Feldick teaches that God did not rearrange something that already existed; He started with nothing but Himself. This original creation was later interrupted by a catastrophe between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2, leaving the earth dark, covered with water, and the heavenly bodies blotted out.
Genesis 1:1 — This is the verse containing the word "created" and the direct subject of the question.
Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:2 immediately follows, "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." The biblical text records the original creative act and then describes the earth as formless, empty, dark, and covered with water.
Les explains that the Hebrew word translated "created" is bara, meaning "called out of nothing." God did not begin with existing material and rearrange it; He spoke and the universe came into being. Les also identifies himself as a proponent of the gap theory, teaching that there is a time gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. He describes a catastrophe that brought darkness, water, and blotted out the sun, moon, and stars before the Genesis account continues. Les stresses that the earth was created to be inhabited, and he points out that later uses of "made" in Genesis 1 indicate bringing things into operation rather than a new creative act.
Les points out that the Hebrew word is bara, and it means "called out of nothing." He stresses that God did not start with something and rearrange it—He started with nothing but Himself and called the universe into being. The triune God spoke the Word, and out of nothing He created the heavens and the earth.
Les describes a first catastrophe between verse 1 and verse 2. Whatever happened made darkness cover the earth, put water over the earth, and blotted out the sun, moon, and stars. He later says that God simply removed that condition so the heavenly bodies could again do what they were supposed to do.
Les notes that in the Genesis account the earth did not need a new creation—it was already there—what it needed was the proper condition. He also explains that the word "made" in passages such as Genesis 1:16 is not even close to the word for creation; it means the things were made operational.
Les observes that all through the first chapter of Genesis, the term used is God, the Creator. This connects the opening creation account to the triune God who spoke creation into being.
Les emphasizes that when God created Adam, Adam was perfect in every way—sinless and immortal—and God had created a perfect environment for him to live in. This reflects what God's original creative work produced.
Gap Theory Introduction
Les identifies himself as a proponent of the gap theory, holding that there is a time gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.
The Meaning of Bara
The Hebrew word translated "created" is bara, meaning called out of nothing; God did not rearrange existing matter.
Earth Created to Be Inhabited
The earth was created to be inhabited, and the heavenly bodies were made operational rather than created anew on day four.
The Catastrophe Between Verses 1 and 2
Something catastrophic between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 brought darkness, water, and blotted out the sun, moon, and stars; God later removed it.
Out of Nothing
The triune God spoke the Word, and out of nothing He created the heavens and earth.
No New Creation Needed
In the Genesis account, the earth was already there; it did not need a new creation, only the right conditions.
God as Creator in Genesis 1
In the first chapter of Genesis, God is presented as the Creator.
Perfection of the Original Creation
When God created Adam, Adam was perfect and God had created a perfect environment for him, reflecting the quality of God's creative work.
Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
The opening declaration that God created the heaven and the earth out of nothing.
Genesis 1:2: And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Immediately after the creation statement, this verse describes the earth's darkened, water-covered state.
Genesis 1:16: And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
Les points out that the word "made" here is not the same as "created," indicating these bodies were already in existence and brought into operation.
Les Feldick explains that bara means "called out of nothing." It describes God bringing the universe into being from absolute nothingness, not shaping something that already existed.
Les identifies himself as a proponent of the gap theory, teaching that there is an undisclosed time gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.
Les describes a catastrophe between the first two verses of Genesis that brought darkness, water, and blotted out the heavenly bodies. He does not identify the specific cause in the clips.
Les teaches that the earth was created to be inhabited, and he connects God's creative work to preparing the earth for the human race.
Watch the Teaching: What Happened Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2? (The Genesis Gap Explained)