Issue 1390 – Life in the fish tank – March 8, 2024
For many years, I kept aquariums of various sizes throughout the house. For a while, I kept a tank of cichlids in the bedroom, but their constant nocturnal rearranging of the tank, spitting gravel against the glass, and moving rocks would keep Kathy awake. I finally had to move them.
I tried the usual variety of tropicals but kept mostly livebearers like mollies and platys. They kept the tanks well-populated.
Most of the fish in the tank were born in the aquarium, lived out their lives and died there. It is the entire universe for them. Other than a giant shape outside the tank that mysteriously fed them when the tank lid was opened or occasionally reached in and did a water change or squished a few snails, their existence is combined to the sides of the aquarium.
Now, bear with me as I move into the realm of fancy. Let’s pretend the fish think like people and step into their minds.
The scientist fishes: “The universe is exactly three years old. I’ve examined all the evidence, and that’s when the world most definitely began. There is a natural cycle of water change. Every two weeks, the universe changes by 1/3 naturally. Sure, there have been strange reports of mysterious beings outside our universe, but there is no scientific proof that they exist, so I must discount such reports.”
The “apathetic, unthinking fishes. ”Huh? I never thought about it.
The “faith-filled fishes” There must be something beyond what we can see. Where did all the things come from that enabled the universe to start three years ago? They must have come from something. Our food is mysteriously provided by something outside of our universe; surely that suggests a caring god out there.”
I could go on and make similar fanciful analogies. We’re not all that much different from the fish. Even though they don’t think like people, all they “know” is what is within the walls of their little corner of the universe. All we “know” is what is in the little bit of the universe we can experience. We can’t even explain how it works fully or how it started.
I’m going to make some very general statements. There are, of course, exceptions to what I’m about to talk about. The scientist often says there is no God, but when push comes to shove, they will frequently admit that the universe appears to have an intelligent design, although they generally won’t use the word god. They can talk about the “big bang,” but they will admit that it defies the laws of thermodynamics and can’t explain where the material came from for the “bang.”
The world of science isn’t our enemy. It is an excellent tool for understanding the mechanics of how things work.
It isn’t the be-all and end-all. Science isn’t God. It is an incredibly unreliable tool for determining answers to the why questions.
Today’s scientific “fact” is tomorrow’s disproved theory. It is also a faith. Much science begins with certain assumptions and parameters that cannot be proven and builds from there. It takes by faith that things are as the theory says they are.
My point? We need not fear science but must also compare it to what Scripture says. Our faith is in God, theirs in mysterious unknowns and theorems. Where science matches up with Scripture, it’s worth embracing wholeheartedly, within the limits I’ve discussed. Where it deviates, we need to hold fast to Scripture.
My faith is in a personal, loving God. The scientist’s faith is in a mysterious, impersonal “intelligent designer” or the talents of a theorist. I’ll take my God over that anytime.
True wisdom comes in knowing where to place your faith.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! Psalm 111:10
And he said to man, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” Job 28:28
Be aware of the limits of the fish tank walls. Embrace the tenets of science that hold up under the light of the Word, but always remember the trustworthy source of wisdom.
Until next time, may you seek and find true Godly wisdom.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
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Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)