IBRI Origins Seminar                                                                                    Dr.Robert C. Newman

April 7-9, 1989                                                                                    BiblicalTheological Seminary

Harvey Cedars, NJ

 

                                                 PROCLAIMINGGOD'S GLORY

                                             THROUGHHIS WORK IN NATURE

 

Introduction

 

            Myown experience growing up:

                        -interestin science from elementary school

                        -scientists& sci teachers I knew knew or cared little about God or Bible (except forHS chem teacher Thos Christie)

                        -pastors& SS teachers I knew knew or cared little about science (except for HermanEckelmann at Cornell)

            Thisshouldn't be, and we of IBRI (at least) are in a position to do something aboutit

 

God Revealed in Nature:  Psalm19:1-4a

 

Psa 19:1-4a (NIV) The heavens declare the glory of God;the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forthspeech; night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language where their voice is notheard. 4 Their voice {[4] Septuagint, Jerome and Syriac; Hebrew line} goes outinto all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

 

            Theheavens/skies are telling us something:

                        (elsewherewe see that not only are skies telling, but so is land (Acts 14:17) andeverything God made (Rom 1:18-20)

            Whatare they telling us?

                        AboutGod's glory:

                                    termfor glory is Hebrew kabod and Greek doxa include ideas of: abundance, riches,honor, splendor, glory, dignity, reputation – depending on context

                        Bymeans of God's craftsmanship

                                    callsup image of skilled craftsman, known to others by the kind of work he does [developwith material from "Designed Universe" talk]

            Whenare they telling us?

                        dayand night

            Whereare they telling us?

                        everywhere

 

WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT THIS?

 

            StudyGod's creation with expectancy, appreciation, thanksgiving

            Helpothers to appreciate what God has made and to honor Him for it

                        Deut6:4-9 re/ OT Scripture; parallel re/ God revealed in nature

 

Deut 6:4 (NIV) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORDis one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul andwith all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to beupon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sitat home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you getup. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

 

                        Psalm148: all of His creation should praise Him

 

Psal 148:1-5 (NIV) Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD fromthe heavens, praise him in the heights above. 2 Praise him, all his angels,praise him, all his heavenly hosts. 3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, allyou shining stars. 4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above theskies. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they werecreated.

 

                        Ps139, esp vv 13-16: marvel of God's creativity in human body, fearfully &wonderfully made

 

Psal 139:13-16 (NIV) For you created my inmost being; youknit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfullyand wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,

I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden fromyou when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me were written in your bookbefore one of them came to be.

 

                        Psalm145: God's works, probably both in creation & redemption; note refrain vv9, 13b, 17, esp 21

 

Psal 145:1-9 (NIV) I will exalt you, my God the King; Iwill praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness noone can fathom. 4 One generation will commend your works to another; they willtell of your mighty acts. 5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of yourmajesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.6 They will tell of thepower of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They willcelebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. 8 TheLORD is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and rich in love. 9 The LORD is good toall; he has compassion on all he has made.