GOD'S ‘SECOND BOOK’
Many years ago now, I met a most remarkable man who amongst other things, had been a Salvation Army officer for many decades, and in the course of our conversation he asked me ..
“God has provided us with 2 books, what are they ?”
“Well,” I pondered as quickly as I could ….. “One is the Bible ?”
“Yes,” he replied ..... “and the other ?”
I was momentarily stumped ! Just what was he driving at ?
What angle was he coming from ? “ Pass” I said, “what is it ?”
“The BOOK OF NATURE” he replied
Of course, of course .... the Book of Nature !
And so, from that time on, my awareness of nature was increasingly aroused.
The Animal channel on TV, the Discovery channel, National Geographic, Richard Attenborough's documentaries, Steve Irwin, and so many other film and TV productions have been of keen interest over the years.
Everywhere in nature and the animal, marine, and the insect world, I see marvels and untold wonders, miracles of creation, down to the most incredible minute detail.
From astronomy and the far-flung universe, down to microbes and micro-organisms. From telescopes to microscopes !
Wow ..... WOW
In all of creation, to me, I see the hand of INTELLIGENT DESIGN and of a benevolent CREATOR.
Evolution, to my view, exists only WITHIN Species, not across them.
But the study of Creation is the specialised realm of so many talented others, and the writings of many keen and thoughtful minds.
And I happily leave it to them.
My personal topic or gifting is different ..... it is to bringing awareness to those caught in the trap of what I call 'religiosity' .... “Church-ianity' the institution-alised religious system, the professional 'Scribes and Pharisees' of our day (that even Jesus had a lot of trouble with and from) and to get release from Legalism and 'religious' bondages.
But back to the intriguing subject of God's Second Book
In a recent Blog February 2009 entitled FIRE, I referred what I saw as examples in nature of 'spiritual' illustrations, and this has brought comment from some readers,
to which I now respond.
Firstly I would again refer what Paul had to say in Romans 1 : 20 : 19 - 22
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature, namely His eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So that they are without excuse .... Claiming to be wise, they became fools.
So, the invisible things of God are visible .... clearly seen ..... in nature … Wow
Creation therefore reveals the nature of the Creator Himself
It is an illustration of the Creator Himself .....
God's Second Book, made up entirely of pictures ... no words
Yet created - brought into being by the spoken word of God Himself
And so obvious to all, that we are without excuse !
My first illustration of a spiritual example quoted, was
Resurrection and metamorphosis - caterpillar to butterfly
Now someone has rightly pointed out that resurrection is different to the wonderful transformation known as metamorphosis, of a caterpillar developing into a butterfly – thank you for making that point. (more of this later)
I Corinthians 15 : 32 - 49 The Living Bible discusses resurrection
If we never live again after we die, then we might as well go and have ourselves a good time: let us eat, drink and be merry. What’s the difference ?
For tomorrow we die, and that ends everything ! Don't be fooled by those who say such things. If you listen to them you will start acting like them. Get some sense ......
But someone may ask “how will the dead be brought back to life again? What kind of bodies will they have ?”
Then Paul gives us an even simpler example of Resurrection, from nature, that a gardener sees continually and whose very livelihood depends upon ......
What a foolish question ! You will find the answer in your own garden !
When you put a seed into the ground it doesn't grow into a plant unless it 'dies' first. And when the green shoot comes up out of the seed, it is very different from the seed you first planted. For all you put into the ground is a dry little seed of wheat, or whatever it is you are planting. Then God gives it a beautiful new body – just the kind He wants it to have; a different kind of plant grows from each kind of seed. .......
In the same way, our earthly bodies which die and decay are different from the bodies we shall have when we come back to life again, for they will never die. The bodies that we now have embarrass us for they become sick and die; but they will be full of glory when we come back to life again. Yes, they are weak, dying bodies now, but when we live again they will be full of strength. They are just human bodies at death, but when they come back to life they will be superhuman bodies. For just as there are natural human bodies, there are also supernatural, spiritual bodies ....
Every human body has a body just like Adam's, made of dust, but all who become Christ's will have the same kind of body as his – a body from heaven. Just as each of us has a body like Adam's, so we shall some day have a body like Christ's.
So, every gardener witnesses an example of the resurrection with every planting they make, and in so doing ..... can read .... God's Second book
Returning to the wonderful transformation of a caterpillar developing into a butterfly, known as metamorphosis - of course this is not strictly resurrection, but to me it is an illustration of an 'earthly body' that creeps along the ground, being transformed into a 'heavenly body'. It is no longer a 'creepy crawlie' but is developed by an intelligently designed process into a delightful winged creation, that overcomes gravity and can soar aloft, at the behest of the wind (or spirit in Biblical terms – yet another analogy !)
To me this wonderful illustration in nature speaks of a similar (though not strictly) 'resurrection' from being earth bound to release into the sky / atmosphere / heavenly / spiritual realm, that Paul speaks of so avidly.
It is the hope of the believer in Christ's sacrifice, according to God's promise.
As to the other 2 illustrations made ........
WATER, H2O 3 atoms, in 3 forms ... ice, liquid, steam ... as the Godhead Trinity
Now here’s another one of my statements that received comment !
Jesus himself described himself as ‘Living Water’, John 4:10 > and invited the thirsty to come to him and drink from a well that never runs dry, that satisfies the innermost longings, and leads to eternal life – which are most impressive and desirable qualities you must admit !
Obviously water is one of the most absolutely vital elements for the sustainment of all living creatures – along with air ( signifying the spirit – now there’s even another illustration from nature !)
The Moon and Mars, supposedly without water, are just dead ‘rocks’ in space.
So, I ask myself and anyone else – is it coincidence that water has 3 atoms ?
Is it also coincidence that it is found in 3 intrinsic forms – which is to me absolutely indicative of the Godhead itself – INDIVISIBLE yet DISTINGUISHABLE
the three in one – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – making up the one Name of God !
Even a ‘mystery’ that our ‘mature’ and finite minds struggle with, yet so simple and basic that I find most children can so readily grasp and accept.
And so, this my statement is like the very subject of the Trinity itself – which historically has been the cause of so much difficulty of understanding, of debate, even division, in Christendom down through many ages past !
But to me and perhaps my childlike appreciation – what a wonderful illustration, and an amazing portrayal of the Godhead itself.
And along with the water illustration, is that of an EGG – the life cell.
Also in 3 parts – Shell, White and Yoke – all combining to be the vehicle that gives LIFE
Another coincidence I ask ?? Nature seems full of such coincidences, and which again suggests to me the hand of an intelligent Creator.
The COMPASS that points to NORTH (albeit magnetic North)
where God's heaven is situated - figuratively or by reference I said
Well this has also brought comment in response, to which I in turn respond.
Scripture makes several references to ‘the sides of the North’
Psalm 3 48:2, Isaiah 14:13. Job 26:7 as to the abode of God, all-be-it figuratively. Now this has to be expressed in our human and finite terms, because God Himself inhabits total space – omnipresent, omnipotent - all powerful, all present, so how can just one place contain Him ?
And yet the references are there, made by Jesus himself, to my mind to convey in human terms that we can understand and relate to.
Heaven as describing the abode of God and the destination of departed believers in Christ as Saviour – according to Jesus very own words John 14:2, 3 for example, among so many others.
As to (magnetic) ‘North’ …… the most amazing fact is that it exists at all – that a compass actually detects it, without which the exploration of the earth would have been much hindered and taken infinitely longer to achieve – imagine exploration without it. (OK, the stars would have sufficed for navigation - on cloudless nights anyways - but to have to wait for a starry night for any navigation - how long would that taken our intrepid explorers ?)
So to me, the very fact that a compass is attracted by magnetic ‘North’ at all – that this incredible means of attraction even exists at all – is mind-boggling, and to me another tool and image provided by an intelligent awesome Creator / God for his creation.
Ah … the wonder of it all, I muse
ETC etc
Throughout scripture are constant reminders of our opening quotation / verses …
God’s invisible nature, namely His eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So that they are without excuse
For illustrations from nature, I offer some examples ….
Jesus and his well known story of the 2 foundations – sand and rock Matthew 7:24
I Corinthians 3 contains several analogies ……..
Milk to meat diet – milk for children, meat for men
Planting, growing, the increase that comes from God alone
Materials used in buildings - gold, silver, wood, hay stubble - and the wisdom or folly involved in their choice as a building material, and the result of such a choice
Building construction – the importance of good foundations, and the wisdom of a Master Builder
Consider the Lilies of the valley Jesus said Matthew 6 : 28
And the fowls of the air, how they are fed Matthew 6 : 26
The illustration of sheep versus goats Matthew 25 : 32, 33
Consider the ants and their habits, diligence Proverbs 6 : 6 - 8
Psalm 148 is riddled with examples from nature
Clouds are described as the dust of his (Gods) feet Nahum 1 : 3
Rainbows are given the sign of a token of an everlasting covenant between God and us and every living creature Genesis 9 : 12 – 16
And of particular interest to me, is that when God answered (for) Job in one of the few instances in Scripture where God’s words are recorded as being directly spoken, and taking 4 entire chapters to do so – Job chapters 38 – 42 amazingly, Gods words are not about what one may call ’spiritual matters like judgement, salvation and eternal life – but are totally about NATURE and ANIMALS !
indeed ALL ABOUT GOD’S SECOND BOOK, from the Creator Himself
So, as you can no doubt tell by now, I am continually awestruck and amazed by what is to me, the clear and unmistakeable visible evidence that Creation reveals the nature of the invisible Creator Himself.
So, let me be, or join with me if you please, as I continue to read and enjoy
GOD’S TWO BOOKS ….
One written on the printed page .. Scripture … THE BIBLE
And the other …. ‘written’ in the plainest and always visible language that needs no translation to any human on this fair planet, and which can never be ‘lost in translation’ …. NATURE
GOD’S SECOND BOOK ….. indeed
Footnote …
For some time now, it has become apparent to me that many people, who struggle with the possibility of a Creator GOD, do so …. NOT from an intellectual or from a reasoning basis, BUT from a MORAL reason.
For if creation is indeed formed by God, and not just by Evolution …
then we are indeed ACCOUNTABLE to him, and that thought and the need for a consequential change in our personal life-style and choices is just to much for some to have to contend with.
Someone said - It’s easier to ‘deny the complaint, than to take the medicine’ |
