Last week, a legend died. John Glenn, the first man to orbit the earth in a space craft. He orbited three times. I sometimes wonder what it was like, to be the first and to see what he saw. Was he afraid of what might happen? Did he expect to not see his wife again(They were married a total of 73 years)? Did he have time to enjoy the sights? Or was he too busy fixing all that went wrong that flight? Would traveling around the earth change his view of the origins of the universe? There is a big debate between science and the Bible. After seeing space and the full earth, which side won in his mind? No matter the answer to my questions, John Glenn must have loved space, for he opted to fly again, when he was 77. He became the oldest man to enter space. Did I mention that he was a hero of mine?
John Glenn was a strong Presbyterian. His trips into space merely strengthen his already solid faith. He said: "To look out at this kind of creation and not believe in God is to me impossible." He did not believe that there was a contradiction between the Bible and science. Other astronauts say the same thing. I've had the privilege to hear several astronauts and NASA engineers talk about their experiences. Most that I have met insist that space and creation validates the existence of God. They also claim that Christians don't have to fear science, for there is no disagreement. Creation does show the existence of God. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands" (Psalm 19:1). Since God created the world, like any good artist, he left his signature all over it. Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made." There are many who try to turn a blind eye at the existence of the evidence of God in creation. Unfortunately, to do this, they have to deny scientific laws and rules of logic. Science and faith are not irreconcilable, for science shows the glory of God. The intricacy of the atom, the complications of the eye or the reproductive system, and others, all scream an intelligent designer. This world is so detailed, but it is limited. It needed an eternal, all-powerful, non-material Cause to have jump-started its existence. That Cause, that Intelligent Designer, is my God. John Glenn tried to share his experiences with others and let them know that science strengthened his faith. Instead of shying away from science, may we embrace the story that it tells of our God. Instead of embracing science as against the way of God, let us use it to proclaim His glory.
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Peter SamplePastor of Calvary Bible Church, Neligh, NE. Missionary with RHMA. Husband to Maggie. Father to Grace, David, and Daniel. Saved by Jesus Christ Archives
April 2023
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