Science touts itself as the Explainer of all things physical; that is to say, all observable phenomenon in the universe; the universe being that which is detectable and measurable in some fashion. (Incidentally, Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as being: “the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.” By definition that places true faith outside the scope and purview of science.)
To be sure, it is easy to understand why people accept science as the Explainer. Science has, and is, opening up the secrets of the universe to us as never before; secrets that were inaccessible to those who came before.
Recently the scientific community was treated to the evident discovery of a previously unknown subatomic particle dubbed “the God particle.” The so-called God particle is thought to possess and impart mass to other subatomic elements – yes, that’s right, the God particle is apparently the ultimate “M” (mass) in Einstein’s famous E=mc2 equation.
Even though those who may bandy the term about do so with a wink, it seems that no matter how hard men may try to extinguish the notion of God, he keeps popping back into our consciousness. God just won’t go away.
The existence of the God particle, technically known as the Higgs boson, had been theorized by Peter Higgs nearly a half-century ago, in 1964. Certainly, though, no such predictive model would be possible except in an orderly universe.
The fact that intelligent men can examine the physical creation and discern certain characteristics and make predictions of future discoveries that may explain what is presently unexplainable only underscores the hard-to-swallow truth (for some) that there is a perceptible intelligence embedded within the very fabric of creation itself. And where there is intelligence there is a mind – in this case, the mind of God himself. And since we are made in the image of God and endowed with the capacity to appreciate the mind of God, well, “God particle” is a good name.
Higgs’ discovery reminds me of Dmitri Mendeleev’s discovery of the relationship of the elements that he arranged into an orderly table, what is now known as the Periodic Table of Elements, which allowed he and his successors to successfully predict the discovery and approximate qualities of then-unknown elements.
The truth is, the deeper men peer into the workings of things the more evident it becomes that there is an intelligent and powerful Being at work – One whom a certain Bible writer described as ‘not being the God of disorder, but of peace.’ (Peace is not necessarily the opposite of war, but of chaos and disharmony.)
Going back a few years physicists came up with a cosmological model that theorizes that the entire universe originated from a singular point, from a mere tiny spoonful of concentrated matter that exploded and is presently expanding out in all directions. They euphemistically call their theory the Big Bang. But essentially their theory confirms the simple yet profound statement made in the first three words of Genesis: “In the beginning.”
Although the apostle Paul was not making a statement in regards to the creation of the universe at Hebrews 3:4, nonetheless, the principle is certainly applicable. He wrote:
“Of course, every house is constructed by someone, but he that constructed all things is God.”
No one would be so foolish as to deny that houses and buildings and cities and all the rest before us were not constructed by someone, be it an individual or company of men. Yet, when it comes to the awesome and amazing universe in all of its mystery and beauty, from the tiniest whirling particles, to the immensity of the uncountable swirling galaxies, including our own remarkable selves, the learned men of this world cannot accept that governing principle; namely, that all things have a creator.
The apostle Paul had something to say about this too.
“For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable; because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God nor did they thank him, but they became empty-headed in their reasonings and their unintelligent heart became darkened. Although asserting they were wise, they became foolish and turned the glory of the incorruptible God into something like the image of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed creatures and creeping things.”
God’s power and wisdom and love are reflected in his creation. Look at yourself. Do you realize that the human immune system has a built-in intelligence that is staggeringly complex and ingenious, which is only beginning to be observed and documented? Its purpose is to keep us alive and healthy. Is this the result of an accident of molecular chaos or the manifestation of the intention of a benevolent Creator?
If you answered the latter, then the next step of logic is exciting to contemplate. If we are the progeny of a loving God that surely must mean that he has a purpose. And if you take it that far, isn’t it also reasonable that he would communicate to his creation what his purpose is? Well, that is what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the Bible is – a revelation of his purpose from beginning to end. And if you accept the Bible as the revelation of his purpose, a book given to us by our Father, ought we not read it? Or better yet – ought we not devour it and make every effort to understand it and not allow ourselves to be robbed or deceived or in any way prevented from obtaining the knowledge and wisdom God freely gives?
It would seem that Paul’s statement in the first chapter of Romans anticipated the modern theory of evolution. By attributing the obvious wisdom and personality of God manifest in design throughout earthly creation to mindless self-creation through evolution, men have turned the glory of God into grunting, animalistic alchemy. How foolish and unintelligent!
The end result of this institutional foolishness is not going to be good.
While science has indisputably made important discoveries that are beneficial, it has also suicidally delivered the means to destroy all life on earth into the hands of madmen and non-human, malevolent entities.
Side Note: According to none other than Jesus Christ, the world will reach a point when it is faced with self-induced extinction when human wisdom and ingenuity will utterly fail. Only God will be able to save us then. And that is how a godless world ought to end – not with a whimper, but with a Big Bang – detonated by the God particle itself.
