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Two new articles every two weeks. Bible Question? E-mail us. THIS ISSUE: "Faith and Facts" (see below) and "Introduction to First Chronicles" Faith and Facts This age is one where our faith is being bombarded from every side. We see atheism (or at least secular humanism) in our schools, liberal theology in the denominations, and even some influences of modernism in the Lord's church. It is necessary, therefore, that we continue to study those facts and principles that will help us to strengthen our faith in God and His word. The world cannot provide any real answers to mankind's most important questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? These are things which people are asking themselves and have been from time immemorial. The only source to which we can go for satisfactory information to answer these questions is to our Creator and His inspired revelation. Take, for example, Genesis 1:1. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This statement is as easy to read and understand as, "In the evening, John watered the flowers and the lawn." It is simple, but what depth and power are to be found in it! The phrase, "In the beginning God" introduces us to the greatest being and force that man can ever know. The Bible cannot be used either to prove or disprove science. Nor can science be used either to prove or disprove the Bible. True science is merely a body of facts about the physical universe, and the Bible is not designed as a treatise on science, nor is it subject to scientific investigation, although it is scientifically accurate. It is primarily a book of history and contains a record, revealed by God, for anyone who will read, examine, and accept it. The compact record of creation in Genesis 1:1 contains the five items necessary for anyone, scientist as well as historian, to make an observation of any kind: time --"in the beginning"; force -- "God"; action -- "created"; space -- "the heavens"; and matter -- "the earth." This particular kind of observation is historical rather than scientific, since it is not open to subsequent experimentation. It is stated as a fact of history. Our only choice to make is whether we believe that it happened as recorded or we believe that it did not. No man was present at creation or whatever beginning one may envision for the universe. This is the only verified record that we have. It is entirely within reason, not like the fantastic creation myths of many ancient heathen cultures, and there is no evidence to prove otherwise. All that unbelieving scientists have come up with, using entirely natural means, are several conflicting theories, none of which has any supportable proof. "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible" (Hebrews 11:3). By faith we can know, "All Thy works with job surround Thee, Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays, Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise" (Henry van Dyke).
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