"There were also number of early church father's who held to it, such as Origen,
THE WITNESS OF CATHOLIC HISTORY
The next proof text put forth by Gapists is that the early Catholic theologian Origen (186-254), in his commentary De Principiis, surmised that the original earth had been "cast downwards" (Ante-Nicene Fathers, 1917, p. 342). This argument supposes much and proves nothing. In fact, let us look at the exact phrase Gap-ists refer to Origen speaking on the "foundation of the world": Origen said, "This point, indeed, is not to be idly passed by, that the holy Scriptures have called the creation of the world by a new and peculiar name, terming it <greek>katabolh</greek>, which has been very improperly translated into Latin by "constitutio;" for in Greek <greek>katabolh</greek> signifies rather "dejicere," i.e., to cast downwards, ..."
First of all, the Catholic Origin is incorrect that the meaning of the word "foundation," or "katabole" in the Greek, means 'cast downwards' as a simple study will reveal:
The Bible Text uses "katabole," and NOT "kataballo," which is important! Strong's Greek Dictionary 2602. katabole katabolh katabole kat-ab-ol-ay' from 2598; a deposition, i.e. founding; figuratively, conception:--conceive, foundation. See Greek 2598; Strong's Greek Dictionary 2598 kataballw kataballo kat-ab-al'-lo from 2596 and 906; to throw down:--cast down, lay. See Greek 2596. Although Strong's tries to connect the word katabole with kataballo the scriptures show differently by the usage of the words.
The katabole word in the Bible is used eleven (11) times. Ten of the eleven it is rendered "Foundation (katabole)" of the world (kosmos). The eleventh time is it used spells out distinctly its new testament use and meaning - conception! Hebrews 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive (katabole) seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Second of all, Origen didn't teach the Gap theory (although he believed in other worlds beginning and ending) and explains his position in the very same works "De Principiis." He wrote: "The particular points(1) clearly delivered in the teaching of the apostles are as follow:-- First, That there is one God, who created and arranged all things, and who, when nothing existed, called all things into being--God from the first creation and foundation of the world --the God of all just men, of Adam, Abel, Seth, Enos, Enoch, Noe, Sere, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the twelve patriarchs, Moses, and the prophets; ...This also is a part of the Church's teaching, that the world was made and took its beginning at a certain time, and is to be destroyed on account of its wickedness. But what existed before this world, or what will exist after it [alluding to the new Earth in Revelation.], has not become certainly known to the many, for there is no clear statement regarding it in the teaching of the Church. ...[ORIGEN, DE PRINCIPIIS. PREFACE.4.] Origen continues: 1. And now, since there is one of the articles of the Church[10] which is held principally in consequence of our belief in the truth of our sacred history, viz. that this world was created and took its beginning at a certain time, and, in conformity to the cycle of time decreed to all things, is to be destroyed on account of its corruption, there seems no absurdity in re-discussing a few points connected with this subject. And so far, indeed, as the credibility of Scripture is concerned, the declarations on such a matter seem easy of proof. Even the heretics, although widely opposed on many other things, yet on this appear to be at one, yielding to the authority of Scripture. ... nevertheless the language of the narrator shows that all visible things were created at a certain time. [ORIGEN, DE PRINCIPIIS. CHAP. V.--THAT THE WORLD TOOK ITS BEGINNING IN TIME.]
This is the BEST argument from this era that the Gap-ist can come up with? (The witness may step down - no further questions!)
http://www.truthontheweb.org/gapclose.htmhere is the rest of the guys...
Coming to Grips with the Early Church Fathers’ Perspective on Genesishttp://godandscience.org/youngearth/genesis_days_church_fathers.html