Saturday 30 March 2013

Creation


For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. – Romans 1.20-23

For the last 150 years or so one aspect of Bible belief has been severely under attack. It should not be surprising. If Creation is destroyed then we don’t have to worry about the fall of man and there is no accountability and man can go happily on his way with no regard to God.

But God revealed Himself in Creation. He revealed Himself in such a way that man can see Him. The psalmist wrote ‘the heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows His handiwork.’

Daniel Defoe did a brilliant job describing this in his classic novel Robinson Crusoe. After an illness Crusoe is on the beach wondering about life, the meaning of it, and why he is where he is. The journal entry from June 28th says this:

‘After I had eaten I tried to walk, but found myself so weak that I could hardly carry a gun, for I never went out without that; so I went but a little way, and sat down upon the ground, looking out upon the sea, which was just before me, and very calm and smooth. As I sat here some such thoughts as these occurred to me: What is this earth and sea, of which I have seen so much? Whence is it produced? And what am I, and all the other creatures wild and tame, human and brutal? Whence are we? Sure we are all made by some secret Power, who formed the earth and sea, the air and sky. And who is that? Then it followed most naturally, it is God that has made all. Well, but then it came on strangely, if God has made all these things, He guides and governs them all, and all things that concern them; for the Power that could make all things must certainly have power to guide and direct them. If so, nothing can happen in the great circuit of His works, either without His knowledge or appointment.’

He goes on from here to open a Bible he found in the captain’s cabin, see his sin and his need of Christ, and turn to Him.

Does it take faith to accept the truth of Creation? Of course it does, just like every other theory of origins. No one was there to record it, there is no eyewitness account. Some will see God in Creation, some will ignore it, but all are without excuse. 

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