The Judeo-Christian story, when understood and applied correctly, is not founded on the universe but on the One who created it and the purpose for which He created it. There are many man devised theories of origin of the universe such as the Chinese Pan Gu and the Egg of the World, the Greek’s Titans and Gods of Olympus, the story of the Iroquois’ Great Turtle Island and the Mayan’s Popol Vuh story, and lastly the Modern Scientific story call the Big History Project.
However, God through Paul gave us a clear and vivid picture concerning His origin story of the universe and how He feels about the many man devised origin theories:
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 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, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
“Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (Romans 1:18–25).
Paul is clear that, instead of worshipping God as the Creator, those who consider themselves as the elite intellectuals are in awe of themselves and their ability to gather knowledge. They foolishly worship themselves and all that has been created. Consequently, most of humanity refuse to acknowledge God’ as their Creator as well.
God through Daniel reveals that knowledge would increase throughout time, but much more as Christ’s return draws near: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4). We, as followers of Christ, need to recognize and reject conclusions that are contrary to the truth in God’s word. We need to be discerning and not fall for the secular world’s new philosophies and ideas. This religion of science is no different than all the pagan religions that God warned about. We are to be careful to worship our God as He requires, not in the way that other people define God.
God reminded ancient Israel that He set before them a choice:
“Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known” (Deuteronomy 11:26–28).
These choices are set before all humanity throughout time. However, observance of God’s laws was not to be a matter of theory or obligation, but one of the heart: “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:20-22). We are to give careful attention to the obligations of God’s covenant, laws and statutes and to guard our behavior and our lips: “He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction (Proverbs 13:3).
God states that His commandments are no big mystery; they are not far off : “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off . . . . But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it (Deuteronomy 30:11,14).
God has revealed Himself through His Word and has shown us that we are to worship Him not through His creation, but in spirit, from the heart, in truth, and in sincerity; through a relationship with Him and not through this physical world: “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him” (John 4:23).The immense universe, while it’s nothing to be worshipped, is a testimony to Who God is. However, no matter how old it is, however immense, it is dying. It is God who is eternally living.
When God commands us to choose, that choice is not colors of gray. It’s black and it’s white. It’s either “all in” or “all out”. His desire is for all mankind to choose life: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Christ never compartmentalized the eternal purpose for which He was born from His everyday physical life. His choice was to always reflect God’s nature and character. He did not practice any pagan or human philosophy of worship such as when the Pharisee’s replaced God’s law with their own traditions. He lived by every word of God (Matthew 4.4). And God is looking for those who are willing to live by His truth through His Spirit. If we trust God, He will direct our lives: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones (Proverbs 3:5-8).
God the Father and Jesus Christ are faithful Creators who are committed to fulfilling their promise of eternal life to those who choose Life.
Bill Hutchison