Thought for Today
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,
Psalm 148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Colossians 1:16 or in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him.
“Physics is the study of matter and energy and their interactions, while metaphysics explores concepts beyond the physical world, such as existence, reality, and the nature of being.” (Bing.com search)
I was initially trained as an engineer. I studied mathematics, physics, chemistry, metallurgy and other physical sciences. My area of concentration was thermodynamics. Those were all interesting subjects and ultimately led to a very satisfying career and a comfortable lifestyle. But ultimately, I came to realize that none of those subjects answered all my questions about life. Essentially, all of that was a study of ‘how,’ of the mechanics of the universe.
When I answered God’s call to ministry and entered seminary, I began to study metaphysics. Broadly speaking, metaphysics is the study of ‘who’ and ‘why.’ Admittedly, I still do not have answers to some of my questions, especially in terms of being able to fully understand. The apostle Paul was correct, “1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
Paul may have been a tad overconfident in terms of our ever being able to fully know. I’m not sure my finite, limited mind will ever grasp the ‘why’ of mosquitos or cockroaches. Neither am I sure that I will ever understand why the seed of an avocado is so big. But I am sure that now and in eternity I will be and continue to be fully known by the God of Genesis 1:1, the ultimate Creator of Creation.
The universe, the physical world, is a complex thing. Reality is complex. The nature of existence and being is complex. Since the creation of humanity, our ancestors have struggled to understand it all. Some of those earliest ancestors posited gods in or associated with physical phenomena, winds, fires, earthquakes, etc. The gods of the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Druids and others are examples of polytheism, the belief in many gods. Those systems of belief included elements of animism, “A system of belief associating gods with physical phenomena . . . which involves the belief that plants, animals, and natural elements possess a spiritual or supernatural element.” (Bing.com search)
Our early ancestors-in-the-faith understood the fallacy of such systems of faith, “1 Kings 19:11 He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.”
Our modern, technology-obsessed society is fascinated with STEM and looks to science for the answers to all the questions of life. But none of the components of STEM can truly answer “WHY?” At best, STEM offers us insight into the “How,” the mechanics of reality. Even the much-touted Big Bang Theory only deals with the mechanics of Genesis 1:1.
For me, the closest approximation to an answer for the “Why” can be found in some of my favorite Bible verses: John 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:8. What is God’s purpose in all of this? What does God want to accomplish? Maybe the answer is in Micah 6:8 and in Luke 10:27. Read, and decide for yourself.
Stay safe, ponder on existence, reality, and the nature of being, trust God,
Pastor Ray