What Would It Take?

What kind of scientific discovery would it take to make you discount the existence of God?

Let me get one answer out of the way – for me there isn’t anything. Not even the discovery of sentient life on another planet/solar system/galaxy. For me, God exists.

For some others, articles such as CNN’s about the newest big bang theory cause consternation. It shouldn’t. There’s nothing there to negate:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV)

There was a beginning, and there will be an end. In fact, the article includes:

So this latest discovery is good news for us believers, as it adds scientific support to the idea that the universe was caused – or created – by something or someone outside it and not dependent on it. 

Atheist-turned-agnostic astronomer Fred Hoyle, who coined the term “Big Bang,” famously stated, “A common sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a superintellect has monkeyed with physics."

If I thought a “superintellect”, or an intelligent designer, existed, I’d be spending a great deal of thought as to why such an intellect would be interested enough to provide a design. The Bible provides insight into one explanation – obviously, the one I accept. And the article accepts, too:

The creation message in Genesis tells us that God created a special place for humans to live and thrive and be in communion with him; that God wants a relationship with us, and makes provisions for us to have fellowship with him, even after we turn away from him. 

So, we know that Genesis was never intended to be a detailed scientific handbook, describing how God created the universe. It imparts a theological, not a scientific, message.

Theology Proper, remember, is the study of God, not the study of natural science. We’ve been given opportunities to do great good – and just as easily, great harm. Doing the most good comes from following two rules:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

Some people I know have latched onto that last part without giving the first consideration. Others have put their faith into what a man – most likely a good man – tells them will provide a better life, focused on materialism. Still others depend on a man who tells them what the Bible means and what God requires. I suggest each one of these is missing an integral part of understanding our universe and the reason we exist by ignoring that first, great commandment.

Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:6-8 KJV)

What better thing exists than to walk, humbly, with God?