- Framing the Worlds by His Words (The Futility of Origins Research)
Billions of US dollars have been spent on “origins” research. Is the focus, regardless of spin off benefits, worth it? The Bible has much to say on this subject, in both the Old and the New Testament.
Consider what the Bible has to say about the “origins” of the earth and universe.
New Testament: Hebrews 11:1-3; 6, 7 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear….But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him…. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” KJV In the NASB vs. 3 reads, “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”
Old Testament: Gen.1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
Terms: (Strong=Strong’s Concordance; NIDOTTE=New International Dictionary of Old Testament Terms)
New Testament Terms
Faith (Strong 4102) “pis’tis, [from 3982 pitho a prim. verb to convince by argument] “persuasion, i.e. credence; mor. conviction (of religious truth)
Substance (Strong 5287) Hupostasis; setting under support…assurance…substance.”
Worlds (Strong 165)”aion;…prop. an age; by extension perpetuity(also past); by impl. the world….”
Framed (Strong 2675)”katartismos…to complete thoroughly...or adjust,…fit frame (make) perfectly.”
Word (Strong 4487) “rhema…an utterance by impl. a matter or topic (espec. Of narration, command or dispute)…”
Are Seen (Strong 991) “A prim. verb; to look at (lit. or fig.):-behold…perceive…regard, see.”
Not (Strong 3361)” me, a prim. particle of qualified negation…” Made (Strong1096) ginomal;…prim verb; to cause to be…”
Which Do Appear (Strong 5315) “phaino;…to lighten (shine)…appear…be seen…”
Old Testament Terms
Beginning (Strong 7225) “re’shiyth…the first place, in place, time, order…beginning.”
God (Strong 430) elohiym…the supreme God…”
Created (Strong 1254) “bara” NIDOTTE says regarding ‘bara’ “Against this background[polytheism], Gen 1:1 appears as a thunderbolt: Israel's god is exclusive creator and sovereign of the entire cosmos (= "heaven and earth," a merismus) and is fundamentally distinguished from his nondivine creation. Moreover, this creation is entirely "good" (Gen 1:4, 9, 12, 31).”
Comment: The universe, in the beginning, was made by the words of God out of a non-material source. Thus it is futile to pursue research into the beginnings (“origins”) of all things for Paul clearly says it is by faith that we will understand that God created the universe. It was by the words of His mouth and that it was made out of something that is not visible. Man will not find a source for the beginning of the universe through the use of science. In Gen 1:1 God created the heavens and the earth. It is man’s obligation to simply acknowledge Him, in faith, as the Creator, for the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Proverbs 1:7. In Hebrews 11:6, 7 Noah is praised for his trust and obedience to God.
God Bless,
John G Leslie
7-15-13
Post script: By the very nature of science it can not be used to investigate or define past non-observed events. Science in observational in its very basic construct. See article on Religion, Philosophy, and Science and the Noah Flood Account on this website or online under that title.
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