Hasn’t science made God irrelevant?

Colossians 1:15-23

¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

As human beings, we’ve always been fascinated not only by how things work, but why they work. I guess that’s what science is all about. Discovering how things work. With this in mind, people have been trying to find out how the world was created and where everything originated from. Science gives us an account of everything that is rational and verifiable, it also seems to make the world better.

Despite our love of science, it can’t explain everything. It can’t explain the exact reason why everything is created. Christians have always loved science; religious belief was the main cause for scientific exploration of the world. Whilst exploring creation is a good thing, the exact reason for why everything is created can only be found in God’s Word. All things were created by God for us to enjoy, but not to worship. We’re meant to enjoy creation, but we’re also meant to realise that it points to his gospel. And the gospel is all about Jesus. It’s about how God’s Son came to earth as a man, lived a perfect life and died on the cross for our sins. We, and the whole world, were created so that we could trust in Jesus, have a relationship with him and receive salvation. The Bible is about God’s gracious actions to reverse the effects of human sin and establish a new creation.

In Jesus, we find a God who accounts for our personhood, our love and science itself. We are free to love science and be fascinated by what it teaches us about God’s Word. We are also free to love Jesus and be fascinated by what he teaches us about God’s kindness to us.

Head: Why do you think it might be conflicting to be fascinated by both science and Christianity?

Heart: Where do you see God in your life? In creation? Or somewhere less visible?

Hands: What can you do to appreciate both science and Christianity?

Prayer: Father God, thank you so much for creating the world that we live in. A world where we are free to enjoy the beauty of creation. Whilst we do enjoy it, help us to remember that the world you created for us is nothing like your heavenly kingdom where we will experience eternal joy and peace forever. Help us to keep our eyes focus on the prize, which is eternity spent with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A song to listen to: God of Wonders

Mick Lather – Creek Road Presbyterian Church- Carina