“Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach!”
(Habakkuk 2:19a)
When it comes to doctrines concerning origins and early earth history, the evolution story is surely Christianity’s chief competitor in the western world. The conflict between the two schools of thought is routinely framed as “science vs religion” or “faith vs reason.” Of course we know why the conflict is framed this way; by doing so the Darwinian propagandists hope to discredit the biblical account before it is even considered. The intention is to make others believe that there is nothing to discuss or evaluate rationally because the Bible’s account of origins is, in the nature of the case, irrational. Furthermore, knowing that the scientific method has proven to be a remarkably helpful, and therefore valuable, avenue to truth as it exists in the natural world, the evolutionist has worked hard to make others believe that the evolution story is a conclusion drawn from objective, dispassionate scientific investigation. In reality, all reasoning proceeds from a faith foundation; both evolutionists and creationists follow their chosen, religiously held-to standards of truth. The evolutionist balks at this, insisting that he is simply “following the evidence where it leads,” for instance, when he “listens to” the clear testimony of the rocks and fossils. Of course this is impossible; rocks and fossils don’t talk! To insist they do is to become as foolish as those spoken of in today’s verse passage. Instead, rocks, fossils, geological features—along with everything else in our experience—must be interpreted through the “lens” of our chosen presuppositions, our chosen faith commitments. Some adopt the opinions of men as their interpretive scheme, a practice the Bible condemns outright. “Thus saith the LORD;” wrote the prophet, “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:5). As Christians, we believe that interpretation belongs to God (Genesis 40:8). We believe that our pursuit of knowledge must therefore begin with His word, His explanation and interpretation of the world (2 Peter 1:20-21). Of course this kind of faith commitment to the God Who speaks on His own authority requires humility on our part, which is too high a price for many. They would rather be wise in their own conceit (Proverbs 26:5). The irony is that, in making themselves their own ultimate point of reference, they end up doing foolish things like looking to the creation for information instead of consulting the blessed Creator Himself, Who alone is wise (Romans 16:27; 1 Timothy 1:17). “Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20). May we commit to walking as truly wise people, believing the Lord when He speaks, trusting in Him with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5-6) and enjoying the rich blessings of doing so (Psalm 19:7-11; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
God bless!
pastor john
English