Since the outbreak of COVID, “science” debates have returned to the forefront. Like most people, I’m having a hard time making heads or tails of what the “truth” is concerning the current health crisis, and how to solve it. It doesn’t seem like anyone really has a handle on it. Hopefully, scientists are getting closer to figuring this thing out. In the meantime, I wear a mask and keep my distance. It’s all above my pay grade anyway.
I can remember vaguely going to biology class in college. I attended Truett-McConnel College (University now-Woo hoo!) in Cleveland, Georgia. Biology was not my favorite subject. History and Theology was my thing. I held pretty strong convictions about creation vs. evolution, which was a hot topic at the time. It was God vs. Science. I found it a little unusual that the theory of evolution was being taught so freely at a Baptist institution. I didn’t like it, and voiced my opinion in class several times during that semester. My professor was very gracious in allowing me to share my opinion and to put up with an obnoxious 18 year old that thought he knew everything. She was a nice lady, and I was being a jerk. Thankfully, the Lord has tempered my attitude and my modes of expression.
Even though I haven’t changed my belief that God created all things and have no problem accepting that he did it in six days, it really doesn’t matter to me anymore how He did it or how long it took him. He did it. I believe he could have done in six minutes or six seconds. I believe our God is Omnipotent. There is NOTHING that he cannot do.
There is an interesting verse in 2 Peter 3:8 (NIV) to consider.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
I’m not trying to take this verse and make it say something to support an opinion, but just to point out that God’s concept of time and mine are really not the same. In fact God’s concepts and knowledge are out of my sphere of comprehension, so worrying about how long it took for God to create all things is not as important as the fact that He did it. HE BIG. Me small. This is made clear through verses like this:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
In other words, we really don’t have a clue other than what the Bible tells us, what the Holy Spirit reveals, and what we see in creation. I believe the Bible to be God’s word and reliable as my primary source of theology or “the study of the nature of God.” The Bible is comprehensive with 66 books neatly compiled into two testaments or covenants called scripture. But, I believe it only scratches the surface of God’s Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscience. I’m not saying that the Bible is incomplete at all. I think He gave us enough to keep us busy for a lifetime. If He revealed everything to us at once, our heads would probably explode.
We may be created in the image of God, but we are not God. According to Paul we have only been given a part of the grand design or BIG PICTURE, but not all of it.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. I Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)
Everything will be “fully” revealed when we see Him face to face. But for now I have to make the best use of the information that I have been given.
As I mentioned, there are three main sources that God uses to reveal Himself to us: Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and Creation. Creation includes our relationships and experiences with other created beings. In Romans 1:20 it says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
I, personally, cannot say that God doesn’t exist because I see him clearly in the things that have been made. To me it is undeniable. The Bible says it and creation itself proves it. I don’t need any more evidence. But, I know that not everyone shares that view, and it’s okay. I can live in a world where people don’t agree about everything or share my point of view. Even though, I found it a little more difficult when I was in college. I have evolved. Wait. Can I say I have evolved and still be a Christian? (Sarcasm alert!)
Just like I dig a little deeper each day into God’s word for the reason for my existence and for understanding of the nature of God, there are scientists who dig deeper into the details of creation to make sense of it all. Just like theology is a systematic study of the nature of God. Science is a systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. To me they are one in the same; they both point in the same direction. Theology reveals the nature of God: who He is, what He has done and is doing. Science reveals how He did it. Through science we learn that God is unimaginably artistic, detailed, and creative.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
The words “fearfully and wonderfully made” not only reveal God’s “wonderful works”, His labor in our creation, but it also reveals His love and passion for His creation. Have you ever created something? Have you poured yourself into a project making sure that everything was “just right”? It was your baby. You put everything into it: heart, soul, mind, and, strength to bring it to life. We are God’s babies. He made us fearfully and wonderfully and said it was GOOD.
A couple of weeks ago I was watching the news and they were interviewing a scientist/doctor for more information about what was going on with COVID. I really wasn’t paying that close attention until the news anchor mentioned that she liked that the scientist had shared a Bible verse and his faith in some of his publications. It was kind of cool to see that there was someone who was able to put the two together, God and science.
I know there are times when science and theology are at odds, especially when it comes to explaining our origins. I think there will always be a tension between them. It is all so much bigger than we can comprehend. Naturally lines will be crossed and we will get bogged down in translation, but being able to see God’s glory and magnificence in ALL OF IT is pretty powerful and comforting. We can only pray that He will give us the wisdom to handle His creation and His message with greater care, respect, and humility.
Love y’all!
Robby Morris
Director of Family Ministry and Facility Management
Andrews UMC
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