January 25, 2019 -- Colossians 1:15-20 -- Jesus and T.O.E. (Theory of Everything)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:15-20 ESV

Way back in 1992 Stephen Hawking published a book called: “A Quest for the Theory of Everything”. It is the quest that continues to haunt secular scientists and philosophers. In short T.O.E. is a single all-embracing picture of the laws of nature. For those who are utterly secular and deny the existence of God, the TOE will ever remain not only elusive, it is impossible to find.

Secular scientists think life arose from non-life—abiogenesis. This self-contradictory view is taken as true for those who believe in evolution.

Christians know that life came into being because God spoke it all into being and Jesus Christ is ever pictured as He Who created with the Father. Life was given and is sustained by the Author of Life.

Secular scientists cannot account for morality. Famously Richard Dawkins stated: “no purpose, no design, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference.” Oddly enough, such scientists would freely use the legal system if their university didn’t pay them. There is an expectation of purpose and good—the every things they claim to deny.

Christians know that creation was good. Adam and Eve rebelled against God and brought sin into the world. Jesus Christ, the sinless One, died in our place. He bore the wrath of God against sin. Therefore there is a place of reckoning. All deeds, all actions, all inaction will be brought to account before Jesus Christ. There is purpose. There is design. There is love and mercy, justice and goodness.

Secular scientists have no basis for assuming there is order in the universe. If life arose from non-life, what else might unexpectedly happen by random chance? This is why scientists are ever alarmist: global warming, global cooling, immanent ice-age to start again, climate change. There is no reason to expect any stability.

Christians have the great assurance that Jesus Christ governs all things well. We can study and learn, measure and understand because He designed all things with purpose and order.

Glory be to Your Name, Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for the book of creation and the testimony of Holy Scripture. Vanquish my sin. Create in me a clean heart and a growing desire to serve you—which is the only source of joy for any person—the delight of serving You. Let my life be a light in the darkness of this secular age. Let this light shine like a light-house for those who are navigating the rocky shoals of hopelessness and pitiless indifference so that they can find their way safely to You, King Jesus. Amen.