God, Science, and the Supernatural - Selected Quotes
Table of Contents
From the Introduction:
A fish, aside from when it jumps out of the water, would have a difficult time imagining what any realm besides water is like. So it is with us who are confined to the realm of time and three-dimensional space. It is difficult to comprehend what time and space really are, let alone conceive of a reality outside of them. However, Scripture describes the realm of God as being outside of time as we know it and not confined to the world that we experience. Just as Biblical scholars remind us that we should set aside our cultural biases and worldviews to fully grasp the meanings of words first spoken to cultures different from our own, so we must set aside our confined views of reality to appreciate some rather staggering concepts that Scripture presents about God.
About Curiosity:
Before I get into time, space, and what fills the universe, I’d like to take a look at the subject of curiosity. One of the current attacks against Christianity is the attempt to characterize Christians as being against curiosity and science. This, as will be discussed below, is far from the truth. It stands opposed to the fact that many of the great scientists throughout history were vibrant Christians, their Christianity propelling them in their quest to learn more. We will see that God likes us to be curious, and it is one of the ways He gets us to dig into the treasure trove of things He wants to reveal to us.
About God and Time:
We tend to put God and His abilities in a box. That box needs to be blown apart every so often! Talking about God and time will do just that. I’m going start with some familiar verses that, once you start thinking about them, are baffling! Like twentieth century physics, which I will discuss momentarily, these show that God's experience of time is very different from our own. We will see that not only does physics reveal how time is different than we might think, but that Scripture also boggles our minds in this regard.
About Walking in the Now and Not Yet:
As we walk in both the now and not-yet, we are sanctioned to call the not-yet into the now. We are authorized to bring the kingdom of God to the world, offering healing, freedom, and newness of life. Empowered with authority—like prophets with their staffs in their hands—we thrust our staffs into the ground saying, “Kingdom of God, come!” and then watch as His kingdom bursts onto the scene. This is who we are called to be. Our call and ministry are timeless!
About God and Space:
Where is the universe—space as we know it—in relation to God? Scripture tells us that God made the universe (Genesis 1). God is infinitely creative, with all He formed displaying profound beauty. But what, or where, is the canvas upon which He created the universe? Scripture does not say exactly what (or where) the universe is except for within a few verses, such as these fascinating words of Paul: “For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
About Walking in God’s Presence:
There is nothing like God’s presence. But where is He to be found? Some, knowing God is omnipresent, feel He is always here (and they are right), but leave it at that and don't really have an expectation of encountering His presence in another way. Scripture, however, paints a different picture of this. Especially when referring to the Holy Spirit, it speaks of varying levels of His presence, some being more tangible than others.
About God and What Fills the Universe:
Every atom is made up of electrons orbiting a nucleus. If the outer electrons were to receive energy, they might go into orbits beyond their normal orbital paths and then fall back where they should be. When this occurs, they give off light at a distinct frequency (that is, a distinct color). Every element has a distinct set of frequencies for the light they emit. Thus, by looking at the light from distant stars, we can tell exactly what elements they contain and how much of each one is present. Amazingly, when examining astronomical objects throughout the universe, astronomers have seen that the elements out there are the same as those we might find on earth. And since the frequency of light emitted also depends on the laws of physics and the numerical constants which are part of those laws, they have also found that the very same laws here on earth are exactly the same throughout the vast universe. So, everything throughout the universe is built with the same ingredients and obey the same laws that we know about here.
About Partnering with His Voice:
In the last chapter, we saw the power of God’s voice: it can shake the earth; it can change the course of human lives; it brought the world into existence. It may seem incomprehensible that we can partner with this aspect of God, but this is something that Scripture tells us is absolutely true.
About God, Energy and Motion:
If you think that God’s timelessness means His realm is motionless and involves nothing new, you have wrong ideas about Him. God being timeless simply means He is outside and unaffected by time as we know it—He is eternal—He always was and always will be. His unchangeability (He “does not change like shifting shadows” - James 1:17) is about His character—His goodness—not that His world involves no change. He is creative, and that always involves change. In eternity, we will forever watch His creativity and goodness unfold and be equally as astonished in the first year we are there as in the millionth year. Of course, change, expressed in the terms of energy and motion, are an integral part of this world as well.
About Science vs. Christianity:
For about 150 years there has been a seeming conflict between science and Christianity. It might seem rather esoteric and not worthy of our attention, but this battle has affected the Church at large and us individually, since we are part of its culture. It has, to a degree much too large, put the Church in a defensive mode and robbed us of some valuable possessions. It's time we instead move forward with a full knowledge that God is all He says He is.
About Seeing the Supernatural:
Living in a culture that has dismissed the supernatural has affected our ability to see it. One of the reasons may be that a lack of belief in something (due to being told what we can expect or not expect) can actually affect what we see and hear. Supernatural activity can be going on in front of us, but unless we are attuned to it, we can dismiss it before it registers in our minds. The effects of our culture's anti-supernatural bias upon us can be reversed, however. But how can we do that personally?
About What is Most Important to God:
God designed the universe carefully and brilliantly, with finely tuned physical laws that determine the behavior of the physical substances of the universe. He could violate these laws at any time. But does He? It depends on what is most important to Him. Scripture states what is most important to God. It is love.
This is the King who will bend heaven and earth, space and time, and every law of nature, in order that He might have us. Exploring the depth of this love will take us well into eternity to comprehend. But that is something worth exploring.
