We have made the point in the past that whatever we believe is inseparably linked to what we accept as the authority behind the matter. And authority is especially vital in the area of origins – how earth and man came to be. The lines are clearly drawn, or ought to be, when it comes to recognizing biblical authority versus scientific authority. Or we could say biblical authority versus man’s authority, because the authority behind the latest scientific position is man. And while we readily and gratefully acknowledged the contribution of science, and they are several, we are foolish to worship at its altar as some do.
Because science, by its very nature, is all about discovery and how newer discoveries are to be applied for the betterment of humanity. This is surely a noble endeavor. We have all benefited greatly from the ongoing discoveries of some of mankind’s best and brightest – we call scientist. Yet, any scientist worthy of the title will readily admit there remains so very much yet to be learned because science is forever a work in progress. We might say that in several disciplines of science the jury is still out. This, coupled with the innumerable times that the scientific community has had to reverse itself from the findings of earlier colleagues, should make all wary of counting too heavily on science. Perhaps this has been vividly demonstrated especially in the field of medical science. We all know the best medical scientists and researchers of a century ago were absolutely certain about things we now know to be untrue. So, while we admire and respect the scientific endeavor, it has revealed its flaws repeatedly. But, we urge them to keep at it – learn and improve our world all they can. We cheer them on.
The Christians ultimate authority, however, is God’s Word alone. Such was described by Jesus Christ when He said in John 10 that “the Scripture cannot be broken.” It means the Bible’s existence and authority are without peer and without question. God’s Word is unshakable, unbreakable, unable to be destroyed, diminished or done away with. This elevates the Word of God to a position superior to all else, including the latest scientific findings. Authority is, has been, and will remain, the watershed issue for all of mankind for all time. Scientific discovery is man’s perpetual learning curve. Scripture is God’s wisdom “enscripturated” and settled in heaven.
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