For some time I have held the view that the age of the earth dinosaurs and remains like "Lucy" (Australopithecus afarensis) can be explained by the gap between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. The earth was created "in the beginning " not on the first day. The earth then became "formless and void" -- a phrase that can be rendered "a waste and empty." This same phrase is found in Jeremiah 4:23 as a description of the results of God's judgment. May it be that Adam and Eve are unique in that they were created in God's image and not because they were the first inhabitants on earth? -- Sam Hernandez
While the Gap Theory seems like special pleading to me--a real stretch biblically and scientifically--it is a possibility. As for Adam and Eve, however humans are defined they are the first humans with spirits. They are the first couple.
Yes, the earth seems to have been populated even before Adam and Eve--at least this is the picture early Genesis gives us. Is it possible there were other hominids before Adam and Eve? (Non-human that is?) You may enjoy my book Genesis Science & History which was published the same month as your question and is available in the Book and Audio section of the website.
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