"I Wonder About Science and Outer Space"
In science class at school, all living things are classified as animals. Are human beings actually animals? Or does God classify them differently?
Biologically, man is an animal. That is to say, he does not make his own food by photosynthesis. He is thus distinguished from plant life. But he is more than an animal. He has three attributes which four-footed animals do not have: reason, conscience, and will. Animals are motivated by instinct. Their behavior patterns are instinctive, not intelligent. Since their responses are instinctive, they have no conscience. A dog probably feels no more remorse after biting a man, than he does when chewing a bone. Then again, an animal's decisions are not volitional, but instinctive. He has no will, but acts instinctively, according to set, inner urges.
Why is man different than the other animals? Because he was created in the image of God. He was created with three attributes as we have said. The first man, Adam, used all three of these attributes. First, he reasoned that his own judgment was as good as God's, and he ate of the forbidden fruit. In that act, the will of man came into play, for he could have decided either way. Then, after he broke God's command, he felt conscience-stricken and ran away to hide in the garden. Strangely, this man-animal has been following that same pattern through the centuries. Within these God-given attributes are life or death, happiness or sorrow, and peace or conflict. If he dissipates the powers which God has given him, he is of all creatures most miserable. But if he uses them right, he can make of his world a paradise.
In my college class in advanced astronomy, the question has been raised whether the explosion theory of the origin of the universe permits the possibility of Divine creation. What do you think?
I do not feel competent to speak on the various theories held by scientists with reference to the origin of the universe. But this one thing I am very sure of — any theory which leaves the Sovereign God out of His own universe is a very poor one. For the creature to ignore the Creator is utter folly. To think that this universe, so vast that even now its limits are unknown, is the product of self-contained and self-directed matter seems hardly worthy of consideration. In our own world there are evidences on every hand that in all of nature there is a perfection and a controlling and directing hand which must be infinite and divine. Should we find a watch by the side of the road, and, should we never had seen a watch before, we would be led to believe in some being capable of thought and design who made that watch. How much more do we have evidence on every hand of God and of His creative power and wisdom. Psalm 19 tells us that the heavens and the earth show forth the glory of God. In the first chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans we read: "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made." Any theory of the universe which does not take into account the God and Creator of that universe is not worthy of serious consideration.
I am a freshman in college and am greatly confused because we are being told that science has disproved much of the Bible and that I will have to "re-think" my faith if I expect to have any faith.
When you are told that science has disproved the Bible, ask specifically where such is the case. True science and a true understanding of the Bible are never at variance. Furthermore, at many points where it was thought a few years ago that science was disproving the Scripture, records have since been cleared up and the Bible is now admittedly correct. Of course, if one is definitely antagonistic to the Christian faith and the Scriptures, he is prone to back his position by supposed inaccuracies in the Bible. But the best answer to such people is to insist on a statement on their part of just what the inaccuracies are. In most cases they are not forthcoming. In others, if you do not have an explanation yourself you will be wise to ask your pastor or some Biblical scholar who can give you the answer. In truly scientific circles today there is much less antagonism to the Christian faith and to the Bible than was true a few years ago. This is due to the fact that scientific discoveries (not theories) are found more and more to fit into the record God has given us in His Word. Before you "re-think" your faith it may be wise to examine the critics of the Bible. In the end your faith will be even stronger.
What is your opinion of these rocket experiments? Will they interfere with the planets in any way, such as the power of the sun, or the disarrangement of the earth or moon. If so, can the Lord stop these adventures into space.
Though I am a minister and not a scientist, I have no qualms about the rocket experiments upsetting the order of the universe. It would be just as logical to get upset at children casting stones into the ocean, fearing that their childish actions might upside the rhythm of the tides. God's universe is so vast and limitless that man's probing into space is less expansive than a minute pinprick in the outer skin of an onion. Our solar system is just one of billions in God's colossal creation. No, I don't think you need to fear that the rocket experiments are endangering the universe.
Perhaps all this is to beckon our attention to the greatness and majesty of God. The Bible says: "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained: What is man that thou art mindful of him? O Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth."
I am a student of the physical sciences. Some of my associates are inclined to believe that there is life on other planets. If there are people who inhabit these planets, what does that do to our faith in the Gospel? Can it be that God is primarily interested in this planet?
From my studies in the Scriptures I can find nothing that would change our essential faith in the Gospel if we did discover life on other planets. Our Bible is clearly designed for this particular planet with its particular problem of man's sin. When we observe this fact we are on safe ground. It is not a part of the Bible's message to inform us of what God has done elsewhere. Its message is concerned with earth dwellers, their origin, the reason of their existence, the cause of their misery and the plan of redemption for a fallen race. I am sure that if there are dwellers on other planets, they are either not involved in the sin problem, or else God has made satisfactory provision for them. The God of the Universe is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is entirely able to support the entire creation and is able to govern it in righteousness.
