These persons have lost the simplicity of faith. There should be a settled belief in
the divine authority of God’s Holy Word. The Bible is not to be tested by men’s ideas
of science. Human knowledge is an unreliable guide. Skeptics who read the Bible
for the sake of caviling, may, through an imperfect comprehension of either science
or revelation, claim to find contradictions between them; but rightly understood, they
are in perfect harmony. Moses wrote under the guidance of the Spirit of God, and a
correct theory of geology will never claim discoveries that cannot be reconciled with
his statements. All truth, whether in nature or in revelation, is consistent with itself in
all its manifestations.
In the word of God many queries are raised that the most profound scholars can
never answer. Attention is called to these subjects to show us how much there is, even
among the common things of everyday life, that finite minds, with all their boasted
wisdom, can never fully understand.
Yet men of science think that they can comprehend the wisdom of God, that which
he has done or can do. The idea largely prevails that he is restricted by his own
laws. Men either deny or ignore his existence, or think to explain everything, even the
operation of his Spirit upon the human heart; and they no longer reverence his name
or fear his power. They do not believe in the supernatural, not understanding God’s
laws or his infinite power to work his will through them. As commonly used, the term
“laws of nature” comprises what men have been able to discover with regard to the
laws that govern the physical world; but how limited is their knowledge, and how vast
the field in which the Creator can work in harmony with his own laws and yet wholly
beyond the comprehension of finite beings!
Many teach that matter possesses vital power—that certain properties are imparted
to matter, and it is then left to act through its own inherent energy; and that the
operations of nature are conducted in harmony with fixed laws, with which God
himself cannot interfere. This is false science, and is not sustained by the word of
God. Nature is the servant of her Creator. God does not annul his laws or work
contrary to them, but he is continually using them as his instruments. Nature testifies
of an intelligence, a presence, an active energy, that works in and through her laws.
There is in nature the continual working of the Father and the Son. Christ says, “My
Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” John 5:17.
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The Levites, in their hymn recorded by Nehemiah, sang, “Thou, even Thou, art
Lord alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the
earth, and all things therein, ...and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6. As
regards this world, God’s work of creation is completed. For “the works were finished
from the foundation of the world.” Hebrews 4:3. But his energy is still exerted in
upholding the objects of his creation. It is not because the mechanism that has once
been set in motion continues to act by its own inherent energy that the pulse beats and
breath follows breath; but every breath, every pulsation of the heart, is an evidence
of the all-pervading care of him in whom “we live, and move, and have our being.”
Acts 17:28. It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth produces her
bounties and continues her motion around the sun. The hand of God guides the planets
and keeps them in position in their orderly march through the heavens. He “bringeth
out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might,
for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.” Isaiah 40:26. It is through his power that
vegetation flourishes, that the leaves appear and the flowers bloom. He “maketh grass
to grow upon the mountains” (Psalm 147:8), and by him the valleys are made fruitful.
“All the beasts of the forest ...seek their meat from God,” and every living creature,
from the smallest insect up to man, is daily dependent upon his providential care. In
the beautiful words of the psalmist, “These wait all upon Thee.... That Thou givest
them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good.” Psalm 104:20,
21, 27, 28. His word controls the elements; he covers the heavens with clouds and
prepares rain for the earth. “he giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like
ashes.” Psalm 147:16. “When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in
the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh
lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries.” Jeremiah 10:13.
God is the foundation of everything. All true science is in harmony with his works;
all true education leads to obedience to his government. Science opens new wonders
to our view; she soars high, and explores new depths; but she brings nothing from
her research that conflicts with divine revelation. Ignorance may seek to support false
views of God by appeals to science, but the book of nature and the written word shed
light upon each other.
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We are thus led to adore the Creator and to have an intelligent trust in his word.
No finite mind can fully comprehend the existence, the power, the wisdom, or the
works of the Infinite One. Says the sacred writer: “Canst thou by searching find out
God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what
canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer
than the earth, and broader than the sea.” Job 11:7-9. The mightiest intellects of earth
cannot comprehend God. Men may be ever searching, ever learning, and still there is
an infinity beyond.
Yet the works of creation testify of God’s power and greatness. “The heavens
declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1.
Those who take the written word as their counselor will find in science an aid to
understand God. “The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead.” Romans 1:20.
