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IN THE BEGINNING
When we look at the evidence of the universe
around us, examine the true age of the solar system,
look at the flow of energy through the
universe and consider the nature of space and time
we are driven to acknowledge that the complexity of nature can not be reconciled
with man made theories of "science".
Where science is failing we must look to another possibility.
THERE IS A GOD
We can see from the physical world around us that there is a God who created
all things. Simply because the world has such well defined structure, such
complexity and such well intended order in spite of Entropy and against
all probability is proof enough that God exists.
"The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handy
work. Day after day they utter their speech. Night after night they show
knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard"
(Psalm 19:1-3) God has not left Himself without a witness. Creation itself
speaks of His greatness and power.
So if there is an intelligent, purposeful God who created all things
it is only logical that He would want His creation to be aware of His existence.
It is not a mistake that there is a proliferation of "religions" permeating
all Human society. God has placed within us the need to know our creator
"for God has put eternity in the hearts of men". But man has perverted
this, seeking to glorify himself rather than God.
The important thing is that we do have a written revelation of God.
This is:
"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees
of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD
are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening
the eyes; the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances
of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they
than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings
of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them
there is great reward." (Psalm 19:7-11).
But we should not just accept this without first testing it. Let us
consider the Bible in light of some of the facts we have discussed.
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The Bible states that God created the universe and it was "very good" (Genesis
1:31). If an all powerful being says that something is good then it must
be perfect. This agrees with our understanding that the universe has been
"running down". What we see around us now is not as good as it was long
ago.
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The Bible, in its accounts of the generations of mankind indicates that
the life span of men has declined from some 900 years to a mere 70 years
since the beginning. This lines up with our understanding of Entropy. Each
successive generation is a little inferior to the one before.
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The Bible, also shows that this decline in age has accelerated with the
passing of time. This agrees with our understanding that Entropy is increasing.
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The Bible gives a reason for Entropy's presence. When mankind rebelled
against its creator, God removed Himself from the world. Without His presence,
creation began to run down. Entropy has taken control of creation, bringing
it into decay.
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The Bible does not explain this in scientific terms, but the existence
of Entropy is implied throughout the Bible. For example, there are phrases
such as "Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens
are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you endure; they will
all wear out like a garment" (Psalm 102:25-26)
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The Bible is a very unique book. It is very explicit. It states things
as they really are. It describes its heroes in true detail, showing their
weaknesses as well as their strengths. Very few books will do this.
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It shows us that we can not do anything about our own fallen nature, but
require God's divine intervention to overcome our own failure. Most other
major religions teach us how we as humans can make ourselves perfect through
our own good deeds.
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Geneticists have recently discovered that the whole human race descended
from a single woman. There is a particular part of the genetic code which
is passed only from mother to daughter, yet every woman has this code in
their genetic make up. The Bible indicates that originally there was only
one man and one woman and all humans are descended from these two.
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The Bible is very accurate concerning some other aspects of the world that
have only been discovered in recent time:
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The Bible shows us that the earth is held in place by an unseen force [gravity].
“He stretches out the north over empty space. He hangs the earth on nothing”
(Job 26:7). This was written at a time when everyone believed that the
earth was held up by some kind giant.
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The Bible shows us that the earth is spherical. “He draws a circular horizon
on the face of the waters at the boundary of light and darkness” (Job 26:10).
You shine a light on a ball and you will see that the boundary between
the light side and the dark side inscribes a perfect circle. This view
of the circular terminator between night and day on the earth itself can
only be seen from space. This means that Job knew the earth was a sphere.
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Jonah, when he was cast over board related, “The depth closed me round
about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms
of the mountains” (Jonah 2:5-6). The interesting thing here is that the
Mediterranean sea, where Jonah was, has no under sea mountains, but most
of the earth's oceans do.
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Peter says: ”The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in
which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements
shall melt with fervent heat. The earth also and the works that are therein
shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). To our modern ear this sounds exactly
like a nuclear explosion. It is only in this century that we have realised
it is possible to break down the elements at all.
So we see that the Bible in its general context agrees with our very basic
observations of the world around us.
There is also the moral aspect to be considered. The Bible is a repository
of many important life principles. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting
the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The
statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandments of
the Lord are pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring for ever. The Judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether"
(Psalm 19:7-9).
So let us now consider what the Bible reveals to us of God,
Man, Sin and God's purpose
for man.
SUMMARY
When God created the world He created it perfect in every way. That perfection
has been disturbed by sin, which eventually lead to death for all mankind.
This could have been the permanent state of thing had God allowed it
to be so. However God is not like that. Because of His very nature He could
not allow sin to totally destroy His perfect creation, so He has placed
into operation a glorious plan which will result in a restoration of creation
to perfection.
Jesus has come into the world to redeem mankind from the consequences
of sin and give them life (John 10:10). We shall now begin to examine the
basic principles of this plan.
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