|
|
|
|
|
|
It is possible (even necessary), given an honest
appraisal of the world in which we live, to draw the conclusion
that the world is not self-existent. This simply means that the
existence of the world must depend upon something other than itself.
The world did not create the world.
Laws of science, for example, state that the world
is running down. If this is true, and few doubt that it is, then
just as sure as the world will one day end, is the certainty that
it must have had a beginning. And, if it had a beginning, we must
ask how this beginning occurred.
Though there might me a large number of theoretical
explanations for the origin of the world, let's consider the following
three general approaches:
First, some observe the world and conclude that
it has always existed. An eternally existing world, however, does
not coincide with the observation that the world is running down.
The second law of thermodynamics involves the principle of entropy,
or disorder, in a given environment. The law states that the entropy
of a system can not decrease. In other words, entropy is always
increasing in any given environment.
Because an eternal world must account for its
own existence in and of itself, it can not be a world in which
entropic principles are exhibited. Our world, because it exhibits
principles of entropy (disorder), can not therefore be eternal
or self-existent. A reliance on external forces to account for
its own existence is needed, which need is inconsistent with a
claim to being eternal. This first option is self-defeating.
Second, others consider the evidence in the world
and conclude that what exists now must have sprung into existence
from nothing, and that it did so without cause. This conclusion
demands that "nothingness" has creative ability.
The dictum "out of nothing, nothing comes" is axiomatic.
It presupposes a recognition of the self-evident principle of
cause and effect. To claim that this world was brought into existence
(effect) without a force sufficient to account for its creation
(cause) requires that all credibility, reason and knowledge be
suspended. This second option is also self-defeating.
Third, the honest appraisal that we mentioned
at the beginning demands that we respect the following principle:
Every creation must have a creator. To put it another way, every
effect must have a cause. That, plus the fact that a cause must
be sufficient to account for any given effect, leads us to consider
that there really is a creator.
There are two variations of this third explanation.
The creator of the world must, of necessity, be either self-existent
or contingent. If self-existent (i.e., uncreated), this creator
would be sufficient to account for the existence of the world
as well as himself. If contingent, though this creator might be
sufficient to account for the existence of the world, it would
be insufficient to account for its own existence. And off we go
again in search of an ultimate cause. Of the two variations, only
the first, the existence of a self-existent creator, provides
sufficient cause for the world. This option does not inherently
involve contradictory, or self-defeating, principles. This option
leads us to the existence of an infinite Creator, God.
Many people have no problems whatsoever with the
line of reasoning that we have presented here so far. It is a
common sense view. It leads us to inescapable conclusions based
upon generally accepted and obvious evidence.
This common sense view of cause and effect is
reflected throughout all disciplines: physics, chemistry, biology,
mathematics, engineering, etc. It is not, however, limited only
to disciplines of knowledge relating to this world. The Bible
also affirms this principle when it teaches that the world provides
sufficient evidence to know that God exists. This principle of
cause and effect is seen throughout the Bible, especially in the
following three passages:
(1) Psalm 19:1 states: "The heavens declare
the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."
A knowledge of God is manifested in the greatness of creation.
(2) Paul, in Acts 14:17, said "Nevertheless
He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good,
gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts
with food and gladness." A knowledge of God is seen in the
mechanics of his creation.
And (3), Romans 1:20 says: "For since the
creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal
power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse..." A
knowledge of God, specifically His power, is clearly seen reflected
in the world.
But there exists a limit to such reasoning. Though
we might arrive at the conclusion that God exists from examining
the world around us, and though we might learn of His power and
purposeful design from our study, the physical evidence of the
creation does not tell us everything that we might want, or need,
to know about God. The world points to the existence of God, but
it does not tell us all that can be known about His nature, His
will and His works.
How, then, can we know more about God? Is there
a way? If so, what is it? A number of answers could be given to
explain how we think we know what we know. They include: (1) someone
told me, (2) I have always believed it, (3) everybody believes
it; or (4) it's a feeling that I have. Though it is true that
people have ideas and opinions about who and what God is from
these, or other, sources, none of these constitute our only real
source of information about the true nature of God. What is that
source?
The Principle - If we gathered all the
relevant evidence and examined it diligently, an answer could
be found. Ultimately, this evaluation process would reveal that
the Bible, and only the Bible, is God's special revelation
to man.
The Application - Though not fully addressed
here, consider for a moment the issue of the Bible's inspiration.
By examining the Bible's claims we would learn that the Bible
makes hundreds, and thousands, of tacit claims to be inspired
by God. Every occurrence of "thus says the Lord," "the
word of the Lord," and the "Lord has spoken" is
a claim to Divine inspiration - and there are hundreds of such
claims of just these three phrases. In brief, the Bible claims
to be inspired.
If we took the time to investigate these claims,
we would consider both internal and external evidences for Biblical
inspiration. When examined in detail, we would find that historic,
geographic (external) and prophetic (internal) evidences yield
the conclusion that the Bible is just what it claims to be - the
inspired word of God. By noting scientific, geographical and historical
evidences we would see that secular knowledge confirms and corroborates
these claims, and so demonstrates Divine inspiration.
All of this evidence (there is much more, to be
sure) leads us to conclude that the Bible is an amazing book.
But it is so much more than just an amazing book. It, and it alone,
is Divinely inspired. Only the Bible is God's word to, and for,
man. We do not now have, nor will we have in the future, additional
revelations from God that nullify, or modify, the truths contained
in the Bible.
Only the Bible tells us who God is, what He is
like, and, most importantly for our sake, what He wants for man.
According to the word of God, we can know all that we need to
know about God by studying His word, the Bible (see 2 Peter 1:3-4).
How important, then, is the Bible? The following
list, though certainly not exhaustive, gives some indication of
its value:
(1) It is the singular written will of God for
man.
(2) Only the Bible tells us of God's eternal plan.
(3) It, and it alone, tells us of the Christ,
His relationship to the Godhead, His incarnation, and His death
on the cross for mankind.
(4) Only the Bible tells us about God's eternal
kingdom, the church.
(5) The Bible is the only Divine source that tells
us that within God's eternal kingdom there is salvation, the forgiveness
of sins, and the hope of eternal life in the presence of God.
(6) Nothing but the Bible tells us how we can
find, identify and enter God's eternal kingdom, and how we should
live as members of that kingdom.
(7) The Bible is the only Divine book that tells
us how this world came into existence.
(8) Only the Bible tells us about the true origin
and nature of man.
(9) It is the sole Divine source of our knowledge
of man's place in creation.
(10) No other book but the Bible informs us of
man's eternal destiny.
Consider this: If there is a God, and if the Bible
really is His sole revelation to man, does this say anything significant
about the Bible's importance? Absolutely. If it is true that only
the Bible can tell us everything that can really be known about
God and what he has in mind for man, then the Bible is the
most important book in the world. It is more important than
any, and all, books written on science, business, politics, psychology
or history.
Read the Bible. Study the Bible. In it you will
learn of God's will for your life. Submit yourself to that will
and you will receive the blessings that God has planned from eternity
for you to have.
|
|
|