Dr. C. I. Scofield developed a study bible that is a favorite of many
protestant evengelicals because of its exhaustive scriptural
cross-references and footnotes. Scofield's theology developed during
the years of 1879-early 1900's following a career in law that
culminated as the US Attorney for Kansas. Scofield published his study
bible in 1909 after appoximately 6 years of work.
One objection often expressed by evengelicals is Scofield's "Gap
Theory" in Genesis 1:1-2 and Genesis 1:3. Evidently Scofield originally
alleged that scripture permits a gap of time between verses 2 and 3.
In the footnotes for verse 2, Scofield discusses the "Original Chaos"
interpretation as "a description of the original formless matter in the
first stage of the creation of the universe". The second, the "Divine
Judgement" interpretation, "sees in these words a description of the
earth only, in a condition subsequest to its creation, not as it was
originally".
Further on Scofield dissects the interpretation/translation of verses 3
through 24 indicating that the term "day" could be a 24-hour solar
period or a "creative day... marked off by a beginning and an ending.
In any event the sun did not become a measure of time before the fourth
day, as seen in vv. 14-19.".
Scofield may have come on contact with the PC theories during his
secular schooling or through his years of study, preaching, and
teaching. He also made particular pains to point out that he did not
agree that man evolved, but was rather created, as was expressly
confirmed and declared by Christ (Matt 19:4, Mark 10:6).
For Scofield to publicly declare PC concepts in his Bible, and the
Bible's subsequent success, shows the level of acceptability for PC in
the Christian community at that time.
Paul Durham