Your Scientific Theories Must Always Keep This In Mind
Thus says the LORD: “If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the LORD.”
Jeremiah 31:37
There is only one ultimate authority—and it is not science. But, a creed has developed today (highlighted during Covid): “Trust the science.”
This statement comes across as “science” being our ultimate authority. This leads to our shame.
Maybe this is too polemical but too often professing Christians look to “science” as their ultimate authority and something unto which their Christian beliefs must submit. Science holds their conscience more than God’s Word.
But, God’s Word puts it the other way around: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). In light of the mercies of God (explained in Romans 1-11), Christians are to be transformed in their worldview and hold God’s Word as their ultimate authority in all realms.
Again, Colossians 2:8 says, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
And again, Psalm 103:19 says, “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”
Summary: God is the ultimate authority. His Word is His authority. All people ought to live in conformity with His Word—but this doesn’t happen without experiencing the gospel mercies of God.
What Does An Ancient Text In Jeremiah Have To Do With Modern Science?
The verse in Jeremiah 31:37 is a perfect example for why the sciences exist. They exist to study the natural world in such a way that conforms to God’s Word (all of it) for the purpose of glorifying Him and our enjoyment of His glory in His creation. This purpose will never come true when we fail to hold Scripture as our ultimate authority and most fundamental foundational thought.
But, when we do treat God’s Word as it should, we can enter any realm and any study with joy and freedom to live for the glory of God. How does that look when studying natural science?
Notice what Yahweh (our Covenant Keeping God) is saying in this verse: “If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done.”
This is a massively rhetorical statement. The idea is that they can’t be fully measured nor fully explored—and these things are finite! If even these finite things can’t be measured then can we ever see an infinite God’s promise fail? No!
It doesn’t matter how great our sin is. It doesn’t matter how wicked our hearts are. It doesn’t matter how much we rebel—none of this ever forfeits God’s covenant promises for His people. You will sooner be able to intimately memorize every nook and cranny of the Marianas Trench than God will take away His covenant. The forgiveness of God is so deep and so wide that you will sooner be able to walk barefoot on the Sun than God’s forgiveness will ever waiver for a millisecond.
How Christians Should Study Natural Sciences
While being equipped with a biblical worldview, while having God’s Word as our unwavering authority, let’s plunge ourselves into the studies of natural science! Don’t let science change what God’s Word says. Let God’s Word change your presuppositions for how to go about finding statistics, studying fossils, dating the earth, searching the stars, and so much more.
It is when we study to “measure the heavens” and “explore the foundations of the earth” that we ought also to remember God’s covenant love.
Have we come close to measuring outer space? Have we drawn near to exhausting our understanding even of the Gulf of Mexico? Since we haven’t done that then neither are God’s promises of grace close to being exhausted.
Why should Christians study natural science? To help them look beyond those studies to the God in whom all things participate (Rom. 11:36) and by whom all the elect are mercifully saved.
How should Christians teach natural sciences? In such a way to intentionally confront students with how big, amazing, detailed, structured, and awe-some God’s creation is for the purpose of also bringing in God’s gospel of grace in order to convince believers through natural revelation that His mercies are always new every morning.
If we can’t plumb the depths of finite things, can we ever plumb the depths of infinite grace? Can we ever get bored in heaven? Should not our explorations in this life only remind us of how amazing God’s grace is? Will not our explorations in the next life only stoke our hearts with godly fear over how merciful our God has been to us?
Christians are approaching science backwards if they are using it to change their views of Scripture rather than submitting ultimately to God’s Word to then enter the sciences with godly fear to marvel at His wondrous works.
Our creed ought not to be: “Trust the science.” It ought to be: “Trust God’s Word and see how His natural revelation highlights and illustrates the truths of His special revelation.”
How shall we now live? Go and study the natural sciences for the goal of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever by submitting to His Word as the ultimate authority and embracing His gospel of endless grace in Christ.
Helpful websites and books in light of this topic:
Creation and Change by Doug Kelly
The Case for Biblical Archaeology by John Currid
Genesis: Vol. 1 by John Currid