Humbly, Intelligently Devout

“Cosmos” is a program that explores the world we live in.  It is informative, graphically beautiful, and packed with information. And, it dismisses any reference to the existence of God. The episode which aired last night (3/16/2014) made sweeping assertions about the origins of life.  Opening with an illustration of how wolves were bred into domestic dogs, a huge leap was then made to how humans and trees are related because we share DNA code that directs our cells in processing sugars for energy.  A dismissive swipe was taken at the idea of ‘intelligent design’ which claims that complex parts of our bodies require a designer to guide the evolutionary processes.  

I have no desire to retreat to the cruel superstitions of the past, nor do I think God is well served by people who refuse to make careful inquiry.  The gift of intelligence requires  that we make every effort to understand this universe of which we are a part. I do take issue with the idea that to have a great mind, one must dismiss even the possibility of the existence of God.  When discussing the origins of life which requires greater faith; to believe that somehow various compounds came together in the primordial slime to emerge as ‘life’ and that over billions of years became increasingly complex through purely random selective processes; or to believe that there is an Intelligent Designer Who called life into existence and created amazing designs that have morphed into millions of forms of life that make this earth so wonderful?

The argument for pure evolution is as much philosophical as it is scientific. There is an urge to cut the tie of accountability to a living, loving God that underlies the insistence that life has no first cause and that nothing other than random processes of survival of the fittest led to higher life forms emerging over eons of time. The Scripture reminds us that only a fool insists that there is no God. (Psalm 14:1)  The beauty and complexity of the world is a primary reason to believe in God!  The Bible says that “what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  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 men are without excuse.”   Refusing to see what is true, leads to hopelessness and causes us ultimately to miss the very reason for our existence.  “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”  (Romans 1)

Christian let’s be humbly, intelligently devout!  Let’s not close our minds and reject honest science that appears to conflict with a high view of God’s revelation in Holy Scripture.  God and Truth are not enemies. He is not honored by ignorance.  Let us also not turn into functional atheists!  By that I mean professing to believe in God while conducting ourselves as though He does not exist.  Faith begins with mystery, with the admission that there are things we do not yet understand, that God borders the universe as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. … It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:1, 6, The Message)

God is not just ‘out there, somewhere.’  He showed Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ and He lives with us today in the Presence of the Holy Spirit. The world I live in is full of wonder.  The discovery of the complexity that undergirds all the beauty makes me stand in awe. "For the choir director: A psalm of David. The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun." (Psalm 19:1-4, NLT)

So, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14, NLT)  Amen.

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God Of Wonders

Lord of all creation,

Of water earth and sky.

The heavens are Your tabernacle,

Glory to the Lord on high.

God of wonders beyond our galaxy,

You are holy, holy.

The universe declares Your majesty,

You are holy, holy.

Lord of heaven and earth.

Lord of heaven and earth.

Early in the morning

I will celebrate the light.

When I stumble in the darkness

I will call Your name by night.

Hallelujah, to the Lord of heaven and earth!

You are holy.

God of wonders beyond our galaxy,

You are holy, holy.

Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me.

Father, hold me, hold me.

The universe declares Your majesty.

You are holy.

Marc Byrd | Steve Hindalong

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