I’ve been reading further in Strobel’s The Case for a Creator, and the more I read, the more fascinated I am. I know most people—including many Christians—find this stuff to be dry, boring academics…but I get SO excited about it, I just can’t keep my mouth shut!
If I had been better in math and physics in high school, I seriously think I might have gone into a field of scientific study. So many Christians believe that science is irrelevant; that science can add nothing to their faith (that science will detract from their faith, in fact); and that science and faith are fundamentally incompatible. But I believe exactly the opposite: In Genesis 1:28, God commanded us to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it…” Well, we’ve fruited and multiplied and filled, but we haven’t yet subdued. I believe that part of what God meant by “subdue” is that he wants us to learn and understand and benefit from his physical creation as much as we possibly can. This means learning from his physical creation. This means studying it. This means science.
Everything I have learned from science has not only supported my faith in God but actually increased it. Cell biology, cosmology, quantum physics…they all point toward God, if Christians and non-Christians will only open their eyes to see it. I read the following in Strobel’s book this morning and thought it would provide something interesting to consider…and perhaps something challenging, as well:
“…[W]hat we know today gives us heightened confidence—from science—that God exists. The weight of the evidence is very, very impressive—in fact, in my opinion it’s sufficiently conclusive to say that theism provides the best explanation for the ensemble of scientific evidence…
“Science and faith are not at war. When scientific evidence and biblical teaching are correctly interpreted, they can and do support each other. I’d say to anyone who doubts that: investigate the evidence yourself.
“…And here’s what the scientific evidence for God does for me: it realigns me. It helps me recognize that despite my natural tendency toward self-focus and self-absorption, I can’t ignore what God has accomplished in this world to let everyone know that he is real, that he is the Creator, and that we need to get right with him.
“I see this not only in cosmology and physics and biology, but also in the historical revelation of the Bible, principally in the revelation of Jesus Christ himself. He is so compelling! Einstein thought so. Napoleon thought so. This Nazarene captivated their attention, and he continues to captivate mine.
“…Jesus is so beyond what I can comprehend! And the evidence for God in nature constantly challenges me to a deeper and fuller relationship with him. My study of the scientific evidence isn’t separate from my life as a Christian; it’s marbled throughout that experience.
“…I look at the stars in the night sky or reflect on the structure and information-bearing properties of a DNA molecule, and these are occasions for me to worship the Creator who brought them into existence. I think of the wry smile that might be on the lips of God as in the last few years all sorts of evidence for the reliability of the Bible and for his creation of the universe and life have come to light. I believe he has caused them to be unveiled in his providence and that he delights when we discover his fingerprints in the vastness of the universe, in the dusty relics of paleontology, and in the complexity of the cell.
“So exploring the scientific and historical evidence for God is not only a cognitive exercise, but it’s an act of worship for me. It’s a way of giving the Creator the credit and honor and glory that are due to him. To attribute creation to a mere natural process is a form of idolatry to which we’re all prone. I don’t judge my naturalistic colleagues for being prone to that. That’s how I’m constituted as well. All of us have a tendency to minimize God, to think and behave as if we weren’t really immersed in his creation and that we aren’t ourselves the product of his unimaginable creative power.
“Looking at the evidence—in nature and in Scripture—reminds me over and over again of who he is. And it reminds me of who I am too—someone in need of him.”
--Stephen C. Meyer, PHD
Director and Senior Fellow, Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, Seattle, WA
in Lee Strobel’s The Case for a Creator
(emphasis added)
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
--Romans 1:18-21
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
in need of him
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4 comments:
I'd like to read this book when you're finished with it. :-)
And just to let you know, I've gone back to read all the posts I missed while I was off-line!
I'm reading Clint's copy, but I'm sure he won't mind if you borrow it. It really is excellent--the kind of stuff that makes me wish I'd known it in highschool, so I could share it with fellow students. Would've made for interesting classroom discussion. ;o)
And thanks for reading, Bri--that means a lot to me!
I might should check out that book too. I must say I cannot help but smile from ear to ear when I learn something really cool about a cell and how it all works so perfectly. Currently, in my lab we are studying what happens when proteins don't fold properly. In order to do that we have to know the proper steps first - which is amazing in itself. Just think of how many different proteins our bodies make. Each one folds differently or may have sugar molecules added to it, but the bottom line is that it all has to happen in perfect timing in order to work. That process in itself is case for a creator!
Karen: I remember learning the very basics about cells in high school--I was absolutely fascinated with how it all works. The crucial timing was the most amazing part...God certainly created something beautiful when he compressed so much detailed information into such a tiny package!
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