The Significance of Asa and Bara in Relation to the Gap Theory

Weston W. Fields wrote Unformed and Unfilled, a book providing a negative critique of the Gap Theory. He argued a point regarding the significance of the Hebrew words Asa and Bara in relation to the Gap Theory, which I wish to share here. Bara is the word generally translated create in Genesis 1.1, while asa is the word generally translated made in Exodus 20:11. From page 58 (sixth printing, publ. by Burgener Enterprises):

Exodus 20:11 and its parallel passages state categorically that in six days (namely, the days of creation) God made the universe and all that is contained in it.  This, of course, establishes a chronological limit upon the interpretation of the first chapter of Genesis which completely vaporizes not only the Gap Theory in any form whatsoever, but also any theory which does not postulate the formation of the entire universe within the framework of the six days of creation. When faced with this argument, however, gap theorists reply that in Genesis Moses used the word bara' (created), while in Exodus he uses the word 'asa (made) to refer to creation. Most gap theorists, consequently, have tried to demonstrate that asa and bara cannot be used interchangeably, and that they are, accordingly, used to refer to different acts of creation at widely separated times. Where bara' is used, it refers to original creation; were asa occurs, it refers to a recreation--a "making" out of something previously existing. If such a distinctive usage of 'asa and bara' is proved, gap theorists would then be able to say that Exodus 20:11 is merely speaking about the recreation of the earth, not the original creation. By means of such an interpretation they would escape the necessity of putting all of creation within the six days, and the Gap Theory would, at least from this one standpoint, be allowed.

In other words: if the bara of Genesis 1.1 refers to an original creation, while the asa of Exodus 20:11 refers to a "recreation" out of existing materials, then gap theorists have escaped one of the most powerful arguments ever made against their position. However, if these passages refer to the same act of God, then the Gap Theory is wounded beyond hope of recovery.