Wednesday, February 5, 2014

An Answer to the Mysteries

A Response to the Ken Ham / Bill Nye Debate
By Analea Styles

As I watched the debate last night I was struck by the very real joy that Bill Nye has for science and discovery. No one can deny that Bill Nye, “The Science Guy”, has a deep passion for learning about the universe and desperately wants to figure things out “scientifically”. He mentioned that one of our greatest questions is “Why are we here?” In fact he was keen on pointing out that mankind has many big questions about life, the universe, and origins – things we don’t understand and he willingly admitted, “I want to know”.

Well, I think we would all agree that we also “want to know”. And the history of mankind testifies that we have a deep inner yearning to discover and learn. We know there is something more out there; there are great mysteries that we are eager to solve. Nye often used that very word, “mystery”. He claimed, “We go to work everyday to try to solve the mystery of the universe”. He admitted that consciousness is “a great mystery” to him and emphasized that it is the “joy of discovery” that drives humanity.

Indeed mankind has been driven to develop multiple fields of science through which to investigate the world, invent new technologies, and explore new places. We can all relate Bill’s enthusiasm for discovery, at least in part.

For Bill, these discoveries and answers must come from the natural world. He puts his faith in the “reasonable man”, believing that mankind can and will discover the answers on his own, in time, through mainstream scientific methods. Bill rejects any hint of the supernatural and said that for him, natural selection is “compelling and wonderful and fills [him] with joy.” But it can’t answer his biggest questions. And in the end, science can’t save “for the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God” (1 Cor. 3:19).

However, as believers, we can find the answers to many of these “mysteries” and deep questions that have plagued mankind. For Paul tells us in Colossians 2 that Jesus Christ is the great mystery “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3).

“For by Him all things were created, in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1: 16-17).

I love how Ken Ham repeatedly pointed to God’s Word as the answer. We do not back down on the reality that we base our beliefs on FAITH in God and His perfect Word. We have our confidence in Him. We know the compelling and wonderful truth of the Bible, the true joy that comes from the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), faith in God (Romans 15:13), and salvation in Christ (Psalm 51:12)!

If you have questions like Bill Nye; if you love to discover and ache to find the answers to those big questions of life; if you find that the naturalistic and materialistic response of secular science doesn’t solve the mysteries in your soul, I will join Ken Ham in saying “there’s a Book out there” which has the answers. And we pray “ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 1:17).


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