Apologetics – Faith Unto Ages

When Carnal Reason Ends, Divine Revelation Speaks: The Folly of Chance and the Glory of Creation Out of Nothing

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.

An Apologia for Iconography

Iconography constitutes a defining element of Orthodox ecclesiastical architecture. The holy icons can be found on walls, ceilings, domes, windows; and are even on liturgical vestments of priests and deacons, the curtain before the altar, bibles & gospel books, and the holy vessels. The icons vary in what they depict, namely; The Holy Trinity, the Incarnate Word -Jesus Christ, St. Mary, the Angels, and the various Saints canonized by the Church. They are rich in color, convey theological truths, and illustrate events from sacred scripture or the lives of the saints.

Because the Orthodox decorate their churches in this fashion, and venerate the persons depicted, charges of idolatry have been made by Non-Believers, namely; Muslims, Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, certain Protestant sects, and the like. In the case of the said groups who uphold the Bible to be authoritative, with the exception of Islam, they refer to Sacred Scripture and accuse the Orthodox of not following the Bible and God’s Holy Commandments. A common source for their claim is Exodus 20:2-6, which we will review in detail briefly.

It is worth noting that, for the Orthodox, the charges of idolatry are appalling and even offensive to pious ears. This is because the Church, being the Body of Christ, confesses the Holy Scriptures to be Divinely Inspired, Inerrant, and Infallible. Wherefore, to the Church, the faith revealed by God through the Bible is without compromise (c.f. 2 Timothy 3:16).

Thus, the Holy Church continues in its sacred doctrines, especially regarding there being One God: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One in Essence. This was the faith by which the Apostles, Confessors, Martyrs, and Early Church Fathers diligently taught, preserved, and defended; even to the point of blood.

Granted, because the Church is careful in her reverence for the sacred scriptures and the persons who preserved the true faith that can be found within them; then she also cares for the very teachings of the same persons that handed down the spotless dogmas to us. This is what earns the Church the title: “Orthodox”. This also explains why the Church professes the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed every Sunday to disqualify any idea of there another God, as polytheism conflicts with Church dogma and the Gospel Message at large.

The Superiority of Biblical Cosmology over Pagan Creation Myths

Throughout history, man has made attempts to explain the origin of all things. This is evident when examining the various cosmological stories of antiquity, such as in the case of the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians who attributed the birth of existence to various deities. These deities had fallen human characteristics, ambitions, and interests.

To cite Holmon’s Quicksource:

“Egyptian and Babylonian (as well as the earlier Sumerian) creation myths were inherently polytheistic, with teeming masses of powerful but flawed gods competing for the spotlight… cohabitations, base motives, and warring between the chief gods led to the incidental creation of other gods as well as the earth, sky, sea, and all living things”

– Whorton, Mark S, and Hill Roberts. Holman Quicksource Guide to Understanding Creation. Nashville, Tennessee, Holman Reference, 2008, 41-42.

These deities of the said groups were not only limited, as they wrestled “with eternal matter to fashion heaven and earth” (Whorton, 37) but were unjust and grudging against the human race. For instance, the Babylonian Enuma Elish tells that the human race was created from the blood of the defeated Kingu, who was seen as being the commander of demons, from the underworld, and an enemy to “superior” deities. Consequently, a personal and loving relationship between humanity and the gods was lacking; as they were created not only as a result of conflict, but to perform difficult labors of the gods such as building, digging, etc.

On the contrary, the Holy Scriptures speak of there being One God that is completely good, just, eternal, omnipotent, sovereign, unlimited, and sacred. As such, He was not in need of any other assistance, nor in need of pre-existent matter to create; as He made all things out of nothing by His Word. The idea of a deity needing pre-existent matter was one shared with, and perhaps adopted, by Plato.