Tuesday, January 24, 2012

"The Worship of Nothing"

I recently heard several scientists discussing brain function, particularly the brain's ability to adapt to genetic deficits in a manner that often results in those impaired nevertheless being able to accomplish amazing things. Included in the discussion was one such man, an artist who has overcome severe physical liabilities to become renowned in his field. When asked about his achievements, he replied,

"If I believed in God, I would say that it is a kind and wonderful thing that He gave the brain ability to mitigate such weaknesses. I don't believe in God, however, so I would say that it is even more amazing that Nature gave us such ability."

I'm not sure I've ever heard a more fascinating (or sadder) statement. The artist's statement expresses the notion that a mindless and soulless process of creation fosters more thrilling wonder than the consideration of a personal God as Creator. The Apostle Paul plainly referenced such absurdity in His epistle to the Romans:

"They... worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever" (Romans 1:22; 25).

The man literally spoke in worshipful terms and tone regarding his belief that the complexity of the human brain evolved by the forces and chance happenings of a "nature" that itself possesses no capacity for thought, emotion or planning. Those who hold to this notion believe that an unconscious nothingness produced a something aware of itself, with the ability to consider, affect, and adapt to its own existence. And, those who think much about such things religiously love and worship the nothingness.

Or do they? The truth of the matter is that these sad, darkened hearts do actually worship something. They worship a lie that enables them, for now, to largely ignore the great fact of their existence. "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). At the heart of all atheism and agnosticism lies moral escape rather than mental evaluation. The intellect does not foster unbelief in God, but rather the heart that desires to do things Truth will not allow. For such ones, nothingness is indeed a kind and gracious deity because it demands nothing of its adherents - except the forfeiture of reason, reality, and ultimately, the soul.

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."
(Psalm 14:1)

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