1/22/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
Our Psalm for this week begins with a declaration of God’s glory as shown in creation. This is most certainly true. I have spoken with several scientists who have said quite candidly that they became convinced of the existence of a creative and orderly God as they evaluated the created order. One told me that she had to stop being an evolutionist when she started working with molecular biology. It simply couldn’t work by accident. Others have had similar experiences. The more they look at the complexities of creation the less sense it makes to think there was anything random about it.
Sadly, though, I have also been subjected to many pop theologians, usually of the elderly occasional churchgoing variety, who say that because the heavens declare the glory of God they can just enjoy God’s self-revelation in creation. There’s no need to look carefully at Scripture.
My part of the country recently endured a significant snowstorm. I’m writing this almost a week ahead of the time it is due to post. It isn’t snowing now, but the forecast doesn’t rule it out, and we’re expecting some very cold weather. Why do I mention that? Very simply put, if we want to enjoy God’s self-revelation in creation, I would observe that God is pretty frightening. If we go out without protective equipment, at some times and in some places, we are asking to be put to death by the force of nature. For that matter, if we go out into some parts of nature, we are asking for trouble just about any time. When I last checked, there were plenty of carnivorous animals in this world. They are wonderfully made. Amazing creatures! And, if they are hungry and you are available, the would be happy to experience the wonders of digestion, with you as the main course.
The created order does not give us hope. It doesn’t tell us how to live in society before God. That’s why the Psalm goes on to reflect on how good God’s word is. That’s where we’ll find God’s wisdom. That’s where his order is described in some detail. That’s where we will find forgiveness and life. The natural order is based on survival of the fittest. God’s Word alone gives us words of life and salvation. We wonder at the creation, which declares God’s glory. But we depend on the God of glory, who has revealed Himself in the Scripture. Thanks be to God for explaining this in His Word.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
Our Psalm for this week begins with a declaration of God’s glory as shown in creation. This is most certainly true. I have spoken with several scientists who have said quite candidly that they became convinced of the existence of a creative and orderly God as they evaluated the created order. One told me that she had to stop being an evolutionist when she started working with molecular biology. It simply couldn’t work by accident. Others have had similar experiences. The more they look at the complexities of creation the less sense it makes to think there was anything random about it.
Sadly, though, I have also been subjected to many pop theologians, usually of the elderly occasional churchgoing variety, who say that because the heavens declare the glory of God they can just enjoy God’s self-revelation in creation. There’s no need to look carefully at Scripture.
My part of the country recently endured a significant snowstorm. I’m writing this almost a week ahead of the time it is due to post. It isn’t snowing now, but the forecast doesn’t rule it out, and we’re expecting some very cold weather. Why do I mention that? Very simply put, if we want to enjoy God’s self-revelation in creation, I would observe that God is pretty frightening. If we go out without protective equipment, at some times and in some places, we are asking to be put to death by the force of nature. For that matter, if we go out into some parts of nature, we are asking for trouble just about any time. When I last checked, there were plenty of carnivorous animals in this world. They are wonderfully made. Amazing creatures! And, if they are hungry and you are available, the would be happy to experience the wonders of digestion, with you as the main course.
The created order does not give us hope. It doesn’t tell us how to live in society before God. That’s why the Psalm goes on to reflect on how good God’s word is. That’s where we’ll find God’s wisdom. That’s where his order is described in some detail. That’s where we will find forgiveness and life. The natural order is based on survival of the fittest. God’s Word alone gives us words of life and salvation. We wonder at the creation, which declares God’s glory. But we depend on the God of glory, who has revealed Himself in the Scripture. Thanks be to God for explaining this in His Word.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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