Thy Word And Thy Works

by QUARTUS | Category: N/a | Jun 1951

Young Christians are often given to understand that there is a fundamental disagreement between the sayings of the Bible and the findings of science. So we would like to write a little about this.

Each person expresses himself by speech and by action, by what he says and what he does. These reveal the man, his personality and individuality. The great God in heaven has also revealed Himself by what He has said and what He has done. The Word of God, the Bible, is completely true, the original Scriptures being God-breathed. The work of God, Creation, is also completely true, revealing His glory. Between the Bible and Creation there is perfect harmony. The laws of God in revelation harmonize fully with His laws in nature. Every Scripture is inspired of God: the created things enable us to perceive His everlasting power and divinity (Romans 1. 20).

It is when we come to the interpretation of the Bible and Creation that disagreement arises and certain errors manifest themselves. There is no word (theology is the nearest) that stands adequately for man's interpretation of the Bible, but the word Science is generally accepted as expressing man's understanding of nature. Man's theology and his science are by no means infallible; the very fact that 'big changes have taken place in both, from age to age, is sufficient to prove that both have contained certain errors.

In the realm of science, when doubts arise and certain points are called in question, the appeal is always again and again to nature itself. True science is systematic and formulated knowledge, and frequent recourse to experiment is a generally-accepted method of ascertaining scientific data. Similarly, in the sphere of Scriptural interpretation, the only appeal must be to the Bible itself, not to the traditions of the fathers and the writings of men. Let us get to the majestic simplicity and simple grandeur of the Holy Scriptures to discover the true revelation of God.

We must remember, however, that the Bible is not a textbook of science. Its primary theme is the relationship between God and man, and especially that aspect of this relationship covered by the mediatorial work of Christ. On this theme it is complete, authoritative and comprehensive. But the physical sciences are not relevant to this purpose, and so the Scriptures do not concern themselves with these subjects, as such. On the other hand, there is quite a great deal of "incidental science in the Bible and there are revelations of fact which have anticipated the discoveries of science by many centuries."

From time to time, the theologians have made serious mistakes. At one time they declared it to be heresy to believe that the world is round, in spite of such words as those found in Proverbs 8.27, "He set a circle upon the face of the deep." As Copernicus, the founder of modern astronomy, lay a-dying, his chief work was published. This sought to prove that the sun is the centre of the solar system and the earth and planets circle round it. At first it was received with favour by many students of the Scriptures, but it was later denounced by practically all (including Luther) "as contrary to the truth." For his support of this theory of the universe, Galileo was persecuted, stigmatized as heretical and condemned by the Inquisition. Yet a careful study of Genesis 1. tends to establish the truth of these theories of Copernicus and Galileo.

Naturally enough, all the mistakes have not been made by theologians. Scientists, too, are fallible enough, and truly great ones are the first to admit this. For instance, ancient astronomers believed that the number of stars was very small, even as low as about one thousand. If this were true, the blessing of Abraham would be of limited extent, "I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven" (Genesis 22.17). But the blessing was of enormous ,extent, and it is now held that the stars are practically innumerable.

Yet in spite of the errors of both theologians and scientists, let us remember that between the Bible and Creation there can be no disagreement. The mistakes are made by man, with his imperfect knowledge and unworthy unbelief. We cannot all be scientists: in fact, at the present time especially, it seems a good thing that we are not. But we can all be students of "the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Every scripture (is, A.V.) inspired of God..... that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work" (2 Timothy 3.14-17). "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path" (Psalm 119. 105). "0 LORD, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all" (Psaim i04. 24).

QUARTUS | Jun 1951
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