The point of it all...
Creation is a controversial subject. People argue creation vs evolution. Literal seven days vs figurative seven days. Real Adam vs mythological Adam and so forth.In our text for today, Paul is talking to the philosophers of the day in Athens. He's addressing the brightest and the best. Paul does a helpful thing when he discusses creation with these scholars: he doesn't talk about "how" but "why". When one gets down to the "why" of creation, the "how" is less of an issue.
Paul gives two reasons for creation:
Firstly creation is a display of the glory and grandeur of God. God doesn't need a temple made by human hands - all of creation is His temple. Creation is an expression of His glory and majesty.
Secondly creation is a signpost that points humanity toward God. God didn't create us because He was lonely. (God enjoys perfect community in the Trinity!) God creates because giving life, beauty and vastness to creation is an expression of WHO HE IS.
Creation is vast and majestic. The astronomers tell us that the universe is still expanding. As we unpack the wonders of DNA and other microscopic wonders scientists are using the phrase "intelligent design" more and more.
When we stand outside and see creation, the sense of wonder we feel is exactly what Creation was for.
So, in conclusion:
- Creation isn't centred around us - it's about Him.
- Creation makes best sense when its creatures know Him, though He isn't far from us.
So let's get outside more and see!
| The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. (Acts17:24-27) |
