Jun 14, 2010

Creation Blindness

I am a fan of PBS nature programs, wildlife specials, the Discovery Channel, etc. The complexity, diversity, and beauty of plants, animals and ecosystems amaze and delight me. God's hand is visible everywhere in creation. Even those insects, weeds, and animals that at first glance appear useless and destructive end up being a "vital link" in the survival or growth of something else. The incredible wisdom and creativity of our God!


And yet what seems so obvious and visible to me manages to completely escape many botanists, ornithologists, entomologists, ichthyologists and zoologists. They personify "Nature" and give her/him/it the credit for all the creativity, intricacies, balance and complexities in the world around us. The Creator of the Universe is never acknowledged.


Evidently, this is nothing "new under the sun", as Solomon made the same observation way back when. In the 13th Chapter of the Wisdom of Solomon (verses 1-9):
For all men, while ignorant of God, were useless in their condition.
So, from the good things that are seen, they were unable to know Him who exists, nor did they know the Craftsman by paying attention to His works.
But they supposed that the gods who rule the world were either fire or wind or swift air, or the circle of the stars or violent water or the luminaries of heaven.
If, while delighting in their beauty, men assumed them to be gods, let them know how much better than these things is their Lord, for the Creator of beauty created them;
And if they were amazed at their power and working, let them understand from them how much more powerful than these is He who made them.
For from the greatness and beauty of created things the Creator is seen by analogy.
Nevertheless, there is little reason for complaint against them, for perhaps they go astray while seeking God and wish to find Him.
For as they live among His works, they examine them closely and are persuaded by what they see, because the things they see are beautiful.
However, they are not to be excused; for if they were able to know so much with their ability to investigate the world, how is it possible they did not quickly find the Lord of all these things?

I couldn't have said it better!

1 comment:

Allen said...

What a great Scripture commentary!