We Are Not Told

I have heard preachers say that the Bible is God's perfect, infallible revelation to us.
I wholeheartedly agree.  In fact, I agree so strongly with this statement that I once left a church job over that congregation's abrogation of this major doctrine.
However, I do not believe that the Bible is a complete book.
In other words, it does not tell us absolutely everything, even though it tells us all God needs for us to know in order to find Him, embrace Him as our King and serve Him with our whole heart.

One instance of this mystery, this incompleteness is found in Genesis 1:1-2.  It was not until I was in my 20s that I heard a preacher put forth the idea that Genesis 1:1 occurred many eons before Genesis 1:3.  The way I had read it, in my youth, was that all of Genesis 1 occurred in 6 days.  I no longer believe that.  I still believe in a literal 6 days of creation which occurred just a few thousand years ago, with "time" being a created construct. But, to be more accurate, I believe those 6 days were of re-creation.

So, here's my current understanding of Genesis 1, and I invite you to explore the topic for yourself.
Genesis 1:1 represents the initial creation of heaven and earth by God, "ex nihilo" (out of nothing).  Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2, we are not made privy to what occurred.

• We know, for example, that God created the angels.  But, we are not told when.
• In Job 38:4-7 and Ezekiel 28:13-15 we read that the angels were present at the earth's creation or re-creation (depending on your view) AND that they had access to the earth.  But, we are not told when. 
• We know that sin originated with Satan and that because of his sin he led 1/3 of the angels in an all-out rebellion against God.  (Isaiah 14:12-14) But, we are not told when.  It is reasonable to conclude that such a cataclysmic, cosmic battle would absolutely destroy the Earth, which would explain the dark, watery, formless condition of the Earth in Genesis 1:2.

For whatever His reasons, and they are always righteous, He does not choose to clearly reveal all to us.
However, in light of the Scriptures mentioned above, it is reasonable to conclude that an "Early Earth" existed well before Adam and Eve, and that "the Creation Story" is actually a "Re-Creation Story".

Do you think that this view, held by many, takes anything away from our awesome God, diminishes Him in any aspect?  I do not.  And, it makes room to explain many unexplainable things.

Well, I'm hoping to get my laptop back (with its new hard drive) this evening, which will put me back on much more of an even keel.  Writing posts on an iPad is much less than ideal.  And, we'll jump into Ephesians soon.

Father, You choose to allow us to know You, but not to know all.  We couldn't handle it.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for us (Psalm 139:6).  Too much "knowledge" diminishes faith and trust, after all.  Your design is perfect.  Help us to seek You with all that is in us, and to trust you fully.  In Jesus' name, amen.