Saturday, December 02, 2006

Recognizing the Craftsman

Stephen M. Barr, a theoretical particle physicist at the Bartol Research Institute of the University of Delaware and author of Modern Physics and Ancient Faith (University of Notre Dame Press), quotes the Book of Wisdom of Solomon in his review of The Creation, the Meaning of Science and Religion, by Edward O. Wilson in First Things, October 2006: Books in Review. In speaking of the physikoi of ancient Greece, the author of the Book of Wisdom writes,
“They were unable from the good things that are seen to know him who exists; nor did they recognize the craftsman while paying heed to his works. . . . Yet these men are little to be blamed, for perhaps they go astray while seeking God and desiring to find him. For, as they live among his works, they keep searching; and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful. Yet again, not even they are to be excused; for if they had the power to know so much that they could investigate the world, how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?” [Wis.13:1-10]
Sounds kind of like the Apostle Paul (Romans, chapter 1), doesn't it?

I've often wondered at the naturalist who when he learns more of the world, finds less room for God ('God of the gaps') while a spiritualist finds more room to praise him. Barr quotes Johannes Kepler, who formulated the planetary laws of motion, “I thank thee, Lord God our Creator, that thou allowest me to see the beauty in thy work of creation.” Though I am certainly no scientist, my response is akin to Kepler's.

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