Creation reveals God’s handiwork

THE EDITOR: This is a response to an article featured in Newsday’s Tuesday June 15, 2004 issue captioned — “Does God exist?” In his critique of Stephen Unwin’s book Probability of God: A simple Calculation that proves the Ultimate Truth, Parsuram Maharaj, an executive member of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Saba, states that, “Unwin’s theory on the probability of God’s existence is questionable from the scientific angle. Unwin’s theory therefore is a perversion of scientific investigation.”

According to Maharaj, Unwin asserts, “that there must have been someone who created the universe to support life, and as such he (Unwin) comes to the conclusion that there is a 67 percent likelihood that God exists.” Maharaj refutes Unwin’s claim and recommends Unwin’s book only as an interesting read and supportive material for those who believe in God. This response to Maharaj’s article does not claim to have the answer to this debate that has been going on among scientists, atheists and theologians for many centuries. It provides an insight into what Christians believe. The attempt at solving this mystery can lead only to continuous dialogue. Perhaps we may participate in the mystery of God’s existence in the knowledge that it defies conventional wisdom and understanding.

Christians are called to approach their beliefs about God with great faith (believe and you shall see). We are taught that things pertaining to men must be seen to be believed but things divine must be believed to be seen. Contrary to how atheists and others think, Christians believe that the existence of God cannot be based purely on scientific evidence. The discussion on the existence of God must be linked to the creation because it is in the creative activity we see evidence of God’s handiwork, even though we do not see God in person; at least not yet. Psalm 19 proclaims God’s glory in creation: “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork” (Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version Ps 19:1).

Genesis Chap 1: Vs 2 of the Holy Bible — This verse suggests that there was something before the creation. There was the earth but without form; it was void. There was darkness upon the face of the deep etc. It is in Genesis 1:3 that God intervenes and brings order to that chaotic situation. Maharaj will ask, “where did God come from?” And I must admit that is the mystery believers in God are called upon to countenance. “God is as much the creator today as He was then 15 billions years ago... for the real role of the Creator is to hold the world in being. It is only the steadfast divine faithfulness that rescues the universe from collapsing into void.” (John Polinghorne, Anglican priest and theoretical physicist).

Polkinghorne underscores that science is possible because the universe is a creation and we are made in the image of God our Creator. So that religious beliefs extend and complete our scientific understanding. Christians believe that God was in Christ on this earth. There is archeological and other evidence of Christ’s human presence. Jesus said, “whoever has seen me has seen the Father — God” (Holy Bible John 14:9). There is abundant evidence of God’s presence among us, as indeed there is a divine mind behind all this rational order and beauty.

KESTON MC LETCHIE (Dn)
Maraval