“As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything (Ecclesiastes 11:5).”(ESV).

The above verse reminds us to be humble about what we can know about God. Modern medical science knows much about the human reproductive system, but what it knows is little compared to what it does not know. Pondering where the spirit of life comes from can be as perplexing for truth-seekers as pondering where it goes.

Hugh Ross is at ease discussing both science and theology. He explains the “anthropic principle” as the observation that “the universe appears to have been engineered for the specific benefit of the human species.”[1]

If Earth was located at even a slightly different distance from the Sun, life would not exist. We would either be much too cold or much too hot. If the moon were located differently we would not have its beneficial gravitational pull. If anything about Earth’s rotation or revolution in the cosmos were different—we would likely be toast.

Ross also discusses the effort, or investment required to prepare the universe for human habitation: “that preparation involves so many intricate details intertwined with such exquisite fine-tuning and timing that only one reasonable conclusion emerges: the Creator of such an environment must possess unfathomable power, genius, resources, and above all else, purpose. That high purpose most apparently involves humans.”[2] We are reminded of one of our favorite verses: “the heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19:1).” Not every Christian needs to become an astronomer, but we should all take time out to appreciate the beauty of a starry sky. God made that sky just as surely as he made us. Our relationship with God will always be based on faith but we need never feel starved for evidence to support that faith.

Theoretical physicists of course love to discuss some of the most astonishing things: the space-time continuum, string theory, dark matter—all of which are gloriously incomprehensible to most of us. We can scorn these things as not being proven or fully understood; or we can say that science is acknowledging that there are no limits to what is possible with God. The boundless theoretical possibilities of science cannot help but encourage our faith.

Ross also asserts that science has in fact accepted some things in the Bible which might be described as scientific principles. Hebrews 11:3, for example, states: “by faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Read that again: “so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Is your head spinning? The point is that scientists did not always agree that the universe had a specific beginning—now it seems there is consensus that it did.[3] In other words, prior to the universe beginning, there was nothing that was visible. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1).” Theologians knew it all along. If you have a friend whose faith demands that he “see” God, ask him if he needs to see the creation of the universe in order to believe that it exists. There is substantial material for meditation in all of this. Look once more at Hebrews 11:3 and be comforted by the first two words: “by faith.” We are thankfully not expected to understand perfectly everything, just to have faith, and in fact the entire Chapter 11 of Hebrews is a magnificent essay on our historic, biblical faith.(Of course it is magnificent—it is God’s word to us!)

Science is concerned with the observation, testing and learning about the world around us. Before we groan and complain we don’t know enough about God, perhaps we should try learning all we can about his created universe. As Romans 1:19-20 states: “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.”  We might feel overwhelmed by the evidence that exists to support faith, or in other words, by “the things that have been made.” Even more astonishing is the begotten Saviour-- Jesus himself, God Incarnate, our hope and salvation.

Praise the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

In faith and fellowship,

Patrick McKitrick

Outreach Canada Ministries

[1] Hugh Ross, Why the Universe is the Way it is, (Grand Rapids: Baker) 2008, p.113. See also www.reasons.org.

[2] P.114.

[3] Pages 54-55.