Science and the Bible - Part 2

Once again we find no conflict, between what we see in the Bible and what astronomers see as they look through the eye pieces of these mammoth telescopes. Notice here in the book of Hebrews it says, "God ... made the worlds." Hebrews 1:1, 2. God made the worlds; not just one world, but God made the worlds. These words were written over 1,900 years ago when many people believed that there was just one world. We know now that this is just one little planet in one solar system of multitudes of solar systems scattered throughout the universe of God.

Notice what Job, one of the earliest books of the Bible, tells us regarding the visible stars: "Lo, these are but the outskirts of his ways: And how small a whisper do we hear of him! ..." Job 26:14. A.R.V. Speaking of the stars visible to the naked eye, the Bible writer says, These are only the outskirts of God's ways; these are just a faint whisper of the greatness and omnipotence of God. The nebula in Andromeda is the most distant body in the heavens visible to the naked eye. Fritz Kahn says, "According to present estimate the nebula in Andromeda is about 1,500,000 light-years away." Design of the Universe 165. A light-year is the distance that light travels in one year, 5,865,696,000,000 miles. To put it another way, light travels around the world seven times a second. A light year is the distance that an object would cover in a year traveling at a speed sufficient to circle the world seven times a second. This would be a speed of over 11 million miles a minute. We can scarcely conceive of the speed of light. And yet the nebula in Andromeda is one million five hundred thousand light years away.

This gives us some idea of the problem confronting our space experts. They are building vehicles that are capable now of traveling out into space, but the problem now is time. As men build their rockets and space ships, the problem is that we don't live long enough to get anywhere. It would take generations traveling on these space ships to get out to even the nearest of these heavenly bodies that men can see through the eye pieces of these giant telescopes.

With the vast extent of the universe in mind, the editorial writer of the Long Beach Press says, "Does any rational being really believe that these whirling suns, and worlds, and systems of worlds just happened, and that they are going on by blind chance? Who can behold these majesties and sublimities of the heavens without feeling ... that there must be, that there verily is, an omnipotent and omnipresent God who created the universe and who rules it with His almighty hand?" Long Beach Press, Editorial. The psalmist of old says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge." Psalm 19:1, 2.

Oh, the tremendous store of knowledge that is locked up in the mysteries of the heavens; enough knowledge to beckon us onward and provide substance for our study throughout all the ceaseless ages of eternity.

Now we turn to the science of physics: the science which has come greatly into the limelight in this atomic age. Notice now the words of the psalmist in Psalms 33:6, "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth." I don't claim to be a physicist, but I know just a little bit about some of the experimentation that has been measuring the energy of sound vibrations. Men of science have made tremendous contributions. I feel that they have actually laid a foundation that makes it easier for us to have faith in the Bible. Let me explain what I am getting at here. The Bible says, "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made." To put it in modern English: The material creation was brought forth through divine energy. The Bible here is speaking of the transforming of energy into matter. That is exactly what the Bible claims was done in the work of creation: "For he spake, and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast." Psalm 33:9. In the work of creation the Creator was not dependent upon pre-existing matter. When God made man He made him of the dust of the ground, but where did the dust come from? God had earlier created the dust. God had prior to that created the carbon and the iron and the other elements that are found in the dust of the earth. God created substance from nothing. God took energy and transformed it into material substance that we can feel with our hands. Albert Einstein, the great mathematician, the master mind of our generation, before he died, made this memorable statement. He said, "Atomic fission is simply creation in reverse." And what a tremendous thought that is! In atomic fission scientists take material substances and by bombarding the atom they transform it into invisible energy. Einstein said creation was just the opposite of this; taking invisible energy, and through the power of God, transforming it into material substance. So I say that the modern science of physics helps us to understand the Bible account of creation, "For he spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." Psalms 33:9.

Men of earlier generations ridiculed the Bible prophecies of a fiery destruction to come upon this world of ours. But let's read some texts today in the light of the atomic age in which we live. "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word (the same word and authority which brought the world into creation) are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the 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 3:7, 10.

Really and truly, friends, could we have understood this 50 years ago? The melting of the elements; why, it was unscientific 50 years ago, but it is right up to date with science today. It is right in harmony with the latest information that modern science has. The elements can melt and mankind has discovered the secret of melting the elements. Isn't that one of the indications that we have come to the very day of which the Bible prophets have written?

We read from Revelation that God is going to intervene before man destroys the earth. Fifty years ago man didn't have the power to destroy the earth. But man does have that power now. Man has unlocked the secret of the atom, and that is why the God of heaven must soon intervene. That is why some tremendous events must soon take place in this world of ours; otherwise mankind would destroy himself. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." II Peter 3:9. God is giving us time. God has measured out time for us, but not to be squandered in wanton pursuit of pleasure. God wants us to be happy. He wants us to enjoy this life, but He wants us also to be preparing for eternity. He wants us to have a sense of eternal values. In the light of the modern atomic age in which we live, consider these words: "Seeing then all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" II Peter 3:11, 12. This is speaking of the atmospheric heaven surrounding this earth shall be dissolved. The very elements shall melt with fervent heat. I say friends, this is the language of the atomic age, and yet it is found in a book written nearly two thousand years ago. Surely, these are evidences to thinking people that the Bible is not an outdated, outmoded Book.

I thank God today that if we are willing to probe deeply into the Word of God we can find a beautiful harmony; we can find that the God of ancient Israel can be a modern God to us now; a God who can meet the needs of this 20th century in which we live. Jesus said over 19 centuries ago, "... Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20. The Christian faith is enduring. It will last as long as life remains upon this earth. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10. This is God's assurance to you and to me today.

What a thought it is to know that the same power of God that holds the sun in its place will hold you up when you are tempted to be dashed down in defeat and discouragement. What a thrilling thing it is to know that we have the choice of voluntarily placing our lives in the hands of God. The hand that guides the stars in their appointed courses is ready and waiting to guide in your life. He will bring into your life purpose, and beauty, and harmony, and peace. The poet says, "And while He guides the universe by miracle divine, and calls a million stars by name, He's not forgotten mine!"

Choose you this day whom ye will serve ... ." Joshua 24:15. Our God who has given us minds to think has given us also the privilege of decision. No man has to be a Christian. God never forces anyone. Each one of you listening today is free. It is your decision whether or not you accept the Bible. It is your decision whether or not you accept the God of the Bible, and the Christ of the Bible. God has given us mental equipment; minds to think and to study. I believe that when we exercise these mental faculties, and when we give God a chance by at least examining His claim as set forth in the Bible, I believe then that thinking men and women are going to choose to accept God as the Master of their lives. This is the choice that every one must make; the choice of what is going to be the foremost object in our lives. What are you living for? What is the purpose in your life? Jesus challenged His generation with this penetrating thought. He said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36, 37.

We live 60, 70, 80, maybe 90 years, and then what? That is what we need to think about here and now. Don't wait until you are on the brink of the grave and then begin to be alarmed and concerned. God has given us minds to think. God is a reasonable God. I am thankful for that today. His invitation to you and to me is, "Come now, and let us reason together, ... ." Isaiah 1:18. This is not the appeal of a tyrant. This is not the appeal of a dictator. This is the appeal of a reasonable, intelligent, personal being who is the God that I worship. It is my purpose with His help during the Amazing Facts radio time to come to this Book in a reasonable, reasoning attitude. God would have us know the facts. Then it is your decision what you do about them. Nobody can take from you that prerogative, that privilege of decision.

May I leave this thought with you today, the power that brought the worlds into creation, the Word of God, that same power is in this Book. That same power can recreate your life. If your life has been a disappointment, this same creative power of God can come into your life and transform your whole being. In these broadcasts we are going to learn how to get in touch with this transforming power of God. We are going to learn how to reach up and make contact with it. Many of us have been living on all too low a plane. Many of us have just been tossed about and bruised by circumstances. This Book tells us how to live above circumstances. It tells us how to live in a positive way knowing that regardless of what tomorrow may bring we can rise above adversity; we can rise above circumstances. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18.