Discover the Meaning and Implications of Genesis 1:2 with Custance Without Form And Void Pdf Download
Custance Without Form And Void Pdf Download: A Comprehensive Guide
If you are interested in exploring the origins of life, the universe, and human history from a biblical perspective, you might have heard of a book called Custance Without Form And Void. This book, written by Arthur C. Custance, is a controversial but fascinating work that challenges some of the conventional interpretations of Genesis 1 and 2. In this article, we will give you a comprehensive guide on what this book is about, why you should read it, and how you can download it as a pdf file for free.
Custance Without Form And Void Pdf Download
What is Custance Without Form And Void?
Custance Without Form And Void is a book that was published in 1970 by Arthur C. Custance, a Canadian anthropologist, scientist, and Christian apologist. The full title of the book is Without Form And Void: A Study of the Meaning of Genesis 1:2, and it focuses on the interpretation of the second verse of the first chapter of Genesis, which reads:
"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."
Custance argues that this verse implies that there was a gap of time between the original creation of the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1:1 and the subsequent restoration of the earth in Genesis 1:3-31. He claims that this gap could account for the geological ages, the fossil record, the fall of Satan, and the pre-Adamic races. He also suggests that this gap could reconcile the apparent contradictions between science and Scripture regarding the age and history of the earth.
The author and his background
Arthur C. Custance was born in 1910 in Norfolk, England. He moved to Canada with his family when he was 18 years old. He studied at the University of Toronto, where he earned a PhD in anthropology. He also had a keen interest in science, especially in physics, chemistry, and biology. He worked as a research officer for the Canadian Department of National Defence for 31 years.
Custance was also a devout Christian who believed in the authority and inspiration of the Bible. He wrote several books and articles on various topics related to science and faith, such as evolution, genetics, human origins, biblical archaeology, prophecy, and theology. He founded the Doorway Papers series, which consisted of 48 monographs that explored the harmony between scientific discoveries and biblical teachings. He also established the Arthur C. Custance Centre for Science and Christianity, which is dedicated to continuing his legacy and research.
The main thesis and arguments
The main thesis of Custance Without Form And Void is that Genesis 1:2 describes a condition of chaos and desolation that resulted from a divine judgment on a previous world that was corrupted by sin and rebellion. Custance bases his thesis on several arguments, such as:
The Hebrew words for "without form" (tohu) and "void" (bohu) imply a state of ruin and emptiness, not a state of initial creation.
The Hebrew word for "was" (hayah) can also mean "became" or "had become", indicating a change of state from a previous condition.
The Hebrew word for "moved" (rachaph) can also mean "brooded" or "hovered", suggesting a protective and restorative action by the Spirit of God.
The phrase "the face of the deep" (paneh tehom) refers to a vast body of water that covered the earth, which could have been caused by a cataclysmic flood or a collapse of the water canopy.
The phrase "the face of the waters" (paneh mayim) refers to the surface of the water that was separated from the land by God's command in Genesis 1:9-10.
Custance also supports his thesis by citing various biblical passages that refer to the original creation, the judgment of the world, and the restoration of the earth, such as:
Psalm 104:5-9, which describes how God laid the foundations of the earth, covered it with the deep, and set a boundary for the waters.
Isaiah 45:18, which states that God did not create the earth tohu, but formed it to be inhabited.
Jeremiah 4:23-26, which depicts a vision of the earth as tohu and bohu, with no light, no life, and no cities.
Ezekiel 28:11-19, which portrays the fall of Satan as a king of Tyre who was in Eden, corrupted by his beauty and wisdom, and cast out of the mountain of God.
2 Peter 3:5-7, which contrasts the world that was destroyed by water in Noah's flood with the world that was destroyed by water in the beginning.
The reception and criticism
Custance Without Form And Void received mixed reactions from readers and reviewers. Some praised it as a brilliant and original work that shed new light on the meaning of Genesis 1:2 and solved many difficulties and objections raised by science and Scripture. Others criticized it as a speculative and arbitrary work that distorted the plain sense of Genesis 1:2 and created more problems than it solved.
Some of the main points of criticism were:
The gap theory is not supported by the grammatical structure and context of Genesis 1:1-2, which form a single sentence that introduces the creation account.
The gap theory is not consistent with the biblical doctrine of creation, which affirms that God created everything good and very good, without any trace of evil or corruption.
The gap theory is not necessary to reconcile science and Scripture, since there are other ways to understand the age and history of the earth, such as the day-age theory, the framework theory, or the young-earth theory.
The gap theory is based on dubious sources and assumptions, such as ancient Jewish traditions, apocryphal writings, occult teachings, or modern translations.
Why should you read Custance Without Form And Void?
Despite its controversial nature and criticism, Custance Without Form And Void is still a valuable and worthwhile book to read for several reasons:
The relevance and importance of the topic
The topic of Custance Without Form And Void is relevant and important for anyone who wants to understand the origins of life, the universe, and human history from a biblical perspective. The book addresses some of the most fundamental questions that people have about God, creation, sin, judgment, redemption, and eternity. It also deals with some of the most challenging issues that Christians face in relation to science, culture, and theology. The book invites readers to examine their own beliefs and assumptions about these matters and to seek for truth and wisdom from God's Word.
The insights and implications of the book
The benefits and challenges of reading the book
Custance Without Form And Void is a book that can benefit readers in many ways. It can stimulate their curiosity and interest in the biblical account of creation and its implications. It can challenge their thinking and reasoning skills and expose them to different perspectives and arguments. It can inspire them to dig deeper into the Scriptures and to seek for God's revelation and guidance. It can also encourage them to appreciate God's greatness and goodness and to worship Him in spirit and in truth.
However, reading Custance Without Form And Void also poses some challenges for readers. It is not an easy or simple book to read, as it requires a lot of concentration and attention to follow the author's logic and evidence. It is also not a book that one can agree or disagree with without careful examination and evaluation of its claims and assumptions. It is a book that demands a humble and open-minded attitude and a willingness to learn and grow from it.
How to download Custance Without Form And Void pdf for free?
If you are interested in reading Custance Without Form And Void, you might be wondering how you can download it as a pdf file for free. After all, the book is out of print and hard to find in physical form. Fortunately, there are some ways to get a digital copy of the book without paying anything. However, before you do that, you should be aware of some legal and ethical issues that are involved in downloading pdf books.
The legal and ethical issues of downloading pdf books
Downloading pdf books for free is not always legal or ethical. Depending on the source and the copyright status of the book, you might be violating the law or the rights of the author or publisher by doing so. You might also be exposing yourself to potential risks such as malware, viruses, or scams that could harm your device or your personal information.
Therefore, before you download any pdf book for free, you should consider some factors such as:
The origin and quality of the pdf file: Is it from a reputable and reliable website or platform? Is it an official or authorized version of the book? Is it complete and accurate?
The permission and consent of the author or publisher: Do they allow or approve of the distribution or sharing of their book in pdf format? Do they require any attribution or acknowledgment?
The purpose and intention of downloading the book: Are you downloading it for personal use only or for commercial use? Are you downloading it for educational or research purposes or for entertainment purposes? Are you downloading it to support or promote the author or publisher or to undermine them?
By considering these factors, you can make an informed and responsible decision about downloading pdf books for free.
The best sources and websites to download pdf books
If you decide to download pdf books for free, you should look for sources and websites that are trustworthy and legitimate. Some of the best sources and websites to download pdf books are:
Public domain books: These are books that are no longer protected by copyright laws because they have expired or been waived by the author or publisher. You can download public domain books for free from websites such as Project Gutenberg, Internet Archive, Open Library, Google Books, etc.
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The steps and tips to download Custance Without Form And Void pdf
To download Custance Without Form And Void pdf for free, you can follow these steps:
Go to https://custance.org/Library/WFANDV/index.html. This is the official website of the Arthur C. Custance Centre for Science and Christianity, where you can find the complete text of Custance Without Form And Void online.
Click on the chapter or section that you want to download. You will see the text of the chapter or section in HTML format.
Right-click on the text and select "Print". You will see a print preview window with various options.
Choose "Save as PDF" as the destination and click on "Save". You will be prompted to choose a location and a file name for your pdf file.
Repeat the steps for each chapter or section that you want to download. You can also merge the pdf files into one using online tools such as PDF Merge, Smallpdf, etc.
Some tips to download Custance Without Form And Void pdf for free are:
Make sure you have a stable internet connection and enough storage space on your device.
Check the quality and accuracy of the pdf files before you read them or share them with others.
Respect the author's rights and wishes and do not use the pdf files for any illegal or unethical purposes.
Give credit and acknowledgment to the author and the website when you cite or quote from the pdf files.
Conclusion
Custance Without Form And Void is a book that explores the meaning and implications of Genesis 1:2 from a biblical and scientific perspective. It proposes a gap theory that suggests that there was a long period of time between the original creation and the restoration of the earth. It also argues that this gap could explain the geological ages, the fossil record, the fall of Satan, and the pre-Adamic races.
The book is controversial and criticized by some, but it is also insightful and beneficial for others. It is a book that challenges readers to think critically and creatively about the origins of life, the universe, and human history. It is also a book that reveals God's character and attributes and His plan and purpose for creation.
If you want to read Custance Without Form And Void, you can download it as a pdf file for free from the official website of the Arthur C. Custance Centre for Science and Christianity. However, you should be aware of the legal and ethical issues of downloading pdf books and make an informed and responsible decision about it.
We hope that this article has given you a comprehensive guide on Custance Without Form And Void pdf download. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Custance Without Form And Void pdf download:
Q: Who is Arthur C. Custance?
A: Arthur C. Custance was a Canadian anthropologist, scientist, and Christian apologist who wrote several books and articles on science and faith. He was the author of Custance Without Form And Void, which is a book that interprets Genesis 1:2 as implying a gap of time between the original creation and the restoration of the earth.
Q: What is the gap theory?
A: The gap theory is a view that holds that there was a long period of time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:3, during which the earth became chaotic and desolate due to a divine judgment on a previous world that was corrupted by sin and rebellion. The gap theory also claims that this gap could account for the geological ages, the fossil record, the fall of Satan, and the pre-Adamic races.
Q: Is Custance Without Form And Void a reliable book?
A: Custance Without Form And Void is a book that has been praised by some as a brilliant and original work that sheds new light on Genesis 1:2, but it has also been criticized by others as a speculative and arbitrary work that distorts Genesis 1:2. The book is not widely accepted or endorsed by most biblical scholars or theologians, but it is still worth reading for its insights and implications.
Q: How can I download Custance Without Form And Void pdf for free?
downloading pdf books and make an informed and responsible decision about it.
Q: What are some other books by Arthur C. Custance?
A: Some other books by Arthur C. Custance are:
The Doorway Papers: This is a series of 48 monographs that explore the harmony between scientific discoveries and biblical teachings on various topics such as evolution, genetics, human origins, biblical archaeology, prophecy, and theology.
The Sovereignty of Grace: This is a book that examines the biblical doctrine of grace and its implications for salvation, election, predestination, free will, human responsibility, and divine sovereignty.
The Seed of the Woman: This is a book that traces the genealogy of Jesus Christ from Adam to Mary and shows how God preserved the purity and integrity of the human race through His chosen lineage.
The Virgin Birth and the Incarnation: This is a book that defends the historicity and necessity of the virgin birth and the incarnation of Jesus Christ and explains their significance for the Christian faith.
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