Throughout time, man has vainly attempted to explain the origin of all things without accrediting creation to an Intelligent Mind. Though often believed to be only a modern phenomenon, philosophers of antiquity had a variety of opinions on this matter. An idea believed by some of those from ancient Greece was one which suggested that everything came into existence by mere chance. Addressing this error, St. Basil wrote:
“Deceived by their inherent atheism it appeared to them that nothing governed or ruled the universe, and that was all was given up to chance.”
– Basil of Caesarea, Hexaemeron, Hom. 1.1.2.
Man had invented a plurality of other ideas to explain creation as well — too many which would expand beyond this article to cover. But as most are aware, science is constantly evolving. It is almost certain that the latest recent discovery will triumph over that of what preceded them. Not ignorant to this, St. Basil adds:
“The philosophers of Greece have made much ado to explain nature, and not one of their systems has remained firm and unshaken, each being overturned by its successor.”
– Basil of Caesarea, Hexaemeron, Hom. 1.1.2.
Despite the inconsistencies of scientific hypotheses, some have proven to be in favor of what was already revealed in Scripture, which we will cover momentarily.
It is relevant to first examine the definition of the word ‘science’. A classic dictionary describes it as ‘Knowledge’, or:
“A branch of knowledge that has been accumulated on a subject… admitting of quantitative treatment; one depending on deductions from self-evident truths truths, as mathematics, logic; one dealing with material phenomena & based mainly on observation, experiment, & induction…”
– The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English, Adapted by H.W. Fowler and F.G. Fowler. Pub. 1913, pg. 767.
True knowledge in the proper sense is a supernatural gift which comes only from the Holy Spirit. This was attested by the Prophet Isaiah:
“The Spirit of God shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and godliness.”
– Isaiah 11:2.
Likewise, St. Paul in his first epistle to the Church in Corinth wrote:
“And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit.”
– 1 Corinthians 12:6-8.
Considering that the source of true knowledge comes from God Himself, we can see how philosophers have labored in vain when they tried to alienate the Source of Wisdom from the establishment of order. For it is in God: “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Due to the delicacy of their views, our “faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).
Since the Holy Spirit is the source of truth, and the Creator of all things; it is when He is disregarded and ignored that the ‘wise’ of this carnal world come to nothing (c.f. 1 Corinthians 2:6). This includes not only a vacancy in wisdom which proves to their ignorance, but the loss of one’s soul (c.f. Mt. 12:31).
Wherefore, the antidote to this problem is faith (Greek: πίστις), which means to have confidence and trust in the words revealed by God through His Word to the holy prophets which He has appointed. For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” (1 Corinthians 2:16). This likewise needs to be accompanied by repentance (Greek: μετάνοια), viz. ‘a change of mind’, for the pride of human logic will only blind him.
“How can he who is earth and ashes be arrogant? Because even while living, his insides are decaying.”Wisdom of Sirach 10:9.
Through the spiritual remedies mentioned, the gap between science and biblical truth could indeed come to a close, for it is when God is feared that wisdom is granted in this regard.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the counsel of saints is understanding; For to know the law is characteristic of a good mind.”
– Proverbs of Solomon 9:10.
Because wisdom is a special grace from the Holy Spirit, as we have established previously, the Prophet Moses humbly accepted instruction by Him to record the creation narrative described in the first two chapters of Genesis. Being that Divine intervention guided Moses; it qualifies his testimony as being inerrant and infallible, and therefore trustworthy on matters of creation. This is not only limited to Genesis, but the Bible as a whole, for all scripture is inspired (2 Timothy 3:16). The very first sentence: “In the beginning God created heaven and earth” (Genesis 1:1) therefore must be trusted by all men, including those revered as having the greatest minds.
To further cite St. Basil on this matter:
“What a glorious order! He first establishes a beginning, so that it might not be supposed that the world never had a beginning. Then he adds Created to show that which was made was a very small part of the power of the Creator… thus the Maker of the Universe, whose creative power, far from being bounded by one world, could extend to the infinite, needed only the impulse of His will to bring the immensities of the visible world into being.”
– Hexaemeron, Hom. 1.1.2.
In modern times, there were several of those involved in the scientific realm who conceded to the truths of Genesis since it reflects their own findings. The science writer Jim Holt once wrote:
“The universe suddenly exploded into being… The big bang bears an uncanny resemblance to the Genesis command.”
– Comfort, Ray. 2001. Scientific Facts in the Bible : 1000 Reasons to Believe the Bible Is Supernatural in Origin. Alachua, Florida: Bridge-Logos ; Santa Ana, CA, 24.
Likewise, the evolutionist Stephan Hawking admitted that there was a designer behind the law of physics. He said:
“… the universe and the laws of physics seem to have been specifically designed for us.”
– Austin American Statesman, October 19, 1997
Granted, the book of Genesis is one book within the holy scriptures of many which settles the matter to all cosmological confusion, as it plainly shows that everything came into being out of nothing from Divine Intelligence. This can only be acknowledged once man accepts the limitations of their rationality, and instead, depends on the wisdom that is heavenly rather than carnal (c.f. James 3:15).
This concludes this post.
Faith Unto Ages 