Monday Meditation
Thus begins Hefe Week 2006.I have been asked to keep the regular themes going here, such as Monday Meditation, and I am more than happy to oblige. For those of you new to the blog, this week Molak, guru, and Expat are taking a blog vacation while school revs back up. I have been graciously invited to contribute this week on the topic of..."Intelligent Design". That will be the theme and focus this week, starting out with a related Monday Meditation.
"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made."Romans 1:20 (ESV)
Some would say, "See, the bible says that when we do science right it will point to God." That may or may not be a valid position, but it is not the point of this passage. It does not seem likely that the original readership, or even the writer, had an inkling of current scientific knowledge when this idea was presented. Instead it is, I believe, a starting point in this week's discussions - that regardless of what we believe about origins, those who call themselves Christians can agree that God is evident in our world. The creation speaks his Name. Take some time to reflect upon what this passage says. If we open our eyes and look at the things that are not man-made, but God-made, we will see His eternal power and divine nature are displayed.
Perhaps it sounds a bit Aquinas-like, but there are two things the Bible mentions here that we can discern simply by observing creation - that God is eternally powerful, and that his nature is unlike our own. Who else could have done something like this (regardless of how you think He did it)? The one place where we can meet and wonder at the power of God is in this - that without Him NOTHING would exist. There would be nothing at all if it weren't for the eternal power and divine nature of God involving itself in a creative act. Soak it in, and let these attributes of God fill you with wonder, respect, fear, desire, and awe.
Perhaps it sounds a bit Aquinas-like, but there are two things the Bible mentions here that we can discern simply by observing creation - that God is eternally powerful, and that his nature is unlike our own. Who else could have done something like this (regardless of how you think He did it)? The one place where we can meet and wonder at the power of God is in this - that without Him NOTHING would exist. There would be nothing at all if it weren't for the eternal power and divine nature of God involving itself in a creative act. Soak it in, and let these attributes of God fill you with wonder, respect, fear, desire, and awe.
Then if you feel really ambitious, take a look at the larger context of this passage, and see WHY God has shown these attributes to us through His creation. The text follows the above with, "So men are without excuse". There is a reason. Dive into it and discover God's purpose in being so intentional with his creativeness. May it nourish and convict your heart, and craw you closer to the one who created you, and can re-create you in the image of His Son.
I'll hopefully be back on Tuesday to start the good stuff...
See you then!
I'll hopefully be back on Tuesday to start the good stuff...
See you then!
posted by Hefe @ 3:00 AM
