TITLE: Great Confessions 4/28/14 By Richard McCaw 04/29/14 |
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Great Confessions
J. Richard Gott (born 1947), professor of astrophysical sciences at Princeton University. once said, “I believe in God; I always thought that was the humble position to take. I think if you want to know how the universe started, that’s a legitimate question for physics. But if you want to know why it’s here, then you may have to know—to borrow Stephen Hawking’s phrase—the mind of God.”
Dr. Francis Collins (born 1950) is the current director of the National Institutes of Health and former director of the US National Human Genome Research Institute. He states his belief that "the literal and historical Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” is the cornerstone of his faith. On CNN.com, April 6, 2007, he said “I am a scientist and a believer. I find no conflict between those world views.”
“As the director of the Human Genome Project, I have led a consortium of scientists to read out the 3.1 billion letters of the human genome, our own DNA instruction book. As a believer, I see DNA, the information molecule of all living things, as God's language, and the elegance and complexity of our own bodies and the rest of nature as a reflection of God's plan.
“The science I loved so much was powerless to answer questions such as "What is the meaning of life?" "Why am I here?" "Why does mathematics work, anyway?" "If the universe had a beginning, who created it?" "Why are the physical constants in the universe so finely tuned to allow the possibility of complex life forms?" "Why do humans have a moral sense?" "What happens after we die?"
Concerning evolution, Darwin himself is reported to have stated, “In spite of all efforts of trained observers, not one change of species into another is on record!”
Albert Einstein, the world-renowned scientist, once propounded a theory of relativity, namely, that the universe was constantly expanding. However, he soon realized that this meant that it definitely had a beginning, and therefore an Originator. Frustrated, he invented another theory called “a cosmological constant.” This meant that the universe was not expanding but remained constant all the time. However, other scientists eventually convinced him that the universe was definitely expanding. He later called his original theory “the greatest mistake of his career!” and came to accept that a superior intelligence was responsible for the existence of the universe, though he never referred to Him as the God of the Bible.
For me, this same God of the Bible, was the One in Whom I came to believe. He not only created and managed the universe, but was watching over the intricate details of my own life. Here then is my confession:
At the age of seven, I recall my mother playing Chopin on the black upright piano at home. She placed my sister and me on the black mahogany stool and tried to teach us to play, but I found it dull and uninteresting! I was only interested then in building things with my hands, and inventing new and more effective ways of doing things. At the age of twelve, pop music, being simpler and easier, enticed me.
One night after attending a classical concert with her, I wondered about the exaggerated flamboyancy of the concert pianist. Why did he throw up his hands, sway back and forth and dress in black coat tails? Classical music was complicated and long, and everyone coughed between major sections of the music.
Later, I turned to art, and created a cartoon of talking ants. Shortly afterwards, my mother took me to the office of Jamaica's daily newspaper, “The Gleaner” on North Street in Kingston. There I met the editor of “The Children's Own,” who published an article entitled “Richard loves to draw.” Then I was ten, she published my first two poems. Did some intelligent mind place those creative and artistic instincts in me for a definite purpose?
Gradually, I became aware of the first law of a well defined scientific method, namely, that of 'contingency.' That means that designed things show no evidence of evolving automatically from an unintelligent process (e.g. Darwin theory of evolution). I soon accepted the existence of a Supreme, Almighty, all-wise God, I lived in a big, amazing universe with an intricately designed human body among dynamic living things. Certainly, God was the greatest intellect in the universe, Who created intelligent design everywhere!
I realized that my own interests and memories would fade away, and that only He would survive, Ever-Living God of all!
Definitely, there had to be an architect, Who was timeless and eternal, not bound by the same laws as human beings, but above and beyond them; not made of material substance, since He transcends space; obviously unbelievably powerful and wise beyond our wildest imaginations. With endless design choices in the creation, He is not inanimate or impersonal, but has all the aspects of a personal being, great, magnificent, and Wonderful to have made such intelligent choices.
Beyond the depths of music, the skills of writing, the magnificence of the created universe, God seems to have been drawing me by His magnetic and awesome presence.
The apostle, Paul, declared that God has left His signature throughout creation; that His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead!
The psalmist, David wrote, “You, Lord, are most high above all the earth!” God dwells outside of space and time and is “the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity.” The Hebrew term 'El Olam' describes Him as the One Who extends beyond our furthest vision, whether backward or forward, until lost to sight. He is the God of Eternity.
The Eternal God of the Universe had got to me through music, and through the natural creation.
What can we give unto Him who is so great that our natural minds cannot comprehend His greatness? He is worthy of all praise and adoration!
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