Opposable Digits Are Anything But
Many (particularly naturalists) would argue that science and faith enjoy ZERO compatibility. But is it true that science and faith must be so diametrically opposed to one another?
Consider opposable digits. They are wondrous things. Most primates have them. But mans’ thumbs are uniquely designed for ultimate coordination:
The human opposable thumb is longer, compared to finger length, than any other primate thumb. This long thumb and its ability to easily touch the other fingers allow humans to firmly grasp and manipulate objects of many different shapes. The human hand can grip with strength and with fine control, so it can throw a baseball or sign a name on the dotted line.
So what do opposable digits have to do with the marriage of science and faith? Well, the noted scientist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics 1915, Sir William Bragg, made this astute connection …
Christianity and science are opposed … but only in the same sense as that which my thumb and forefinger are opposed — and between them, I can grasp everything.
Science and faith do not oppose one another. They fully and completely compliment one another. Science declares the heights and depths and intricacies of God’s creative powers, while faith gives reason to all of it.
“Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them” (Psalms 111:2, ESV).
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20, ESV).
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalms 19:1, ESV).
Wells of Salvation
Water sources are always precious, especially in a desert climate. According to Texas A&M Science:
Most wells don’t get their water from underground rivers, but instead get the water from aquifers. Aquifers are layers of rock and soil with water flowing through their small pores. Groundwater drips slowly and gently through the small spaces within rocks, between rocks, and between loose materials such as sand and gravel. In fact, water in aquifers can take years to centuries to flow back to the surface. A typical flow rate for water in aquifers is ten feet per year. For this reason, if a region experiences no rain for a few weeks, the wells will not immediately run dry. New water from rain and melting snow drips down into the ground through the pores and cracks in the rocks and soil. The well has to be deep enough so that it is below the water table so that the water fills up.
Those who are deeply rooted in Christ will experience sustainance and joy unspeakable from the salvation and security He provides, with plenty of "reserves" on hand rippling through and flowing up from the swell of the groundwaters of His grace.
"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3, ESV).
"[I pray that] that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:16-19, ESV).
Stepping Into the Fog with Faith
Coming from California we of course had some unique weather issues. Something that we had in the Central Valley of California was what we called Pea Soup Fog. Growing up on a rice farm, our winters would arrive like clock work with a thick blanket of fog. Sometimes we would have a week of all night and all day fog that would never break or lift.
Living out in the countryside I remember nights where people would show up at our door asking where they were because they would get so lost they wouldn’t know what road they were on.
Peas Soup Fog is not just disorienting, it can be utterly dangerous and unhealthy:
[It] is a very thick and often yellowish, greenish or blackish fog caused by air pollution that contains soot particulates and the poisonous gas sulphur dioxide. This very thick smog occurs in cities and is derived from the smoke given off by the burning of soft coal for home heating and in industrial processes. Smog of this intensity is often lethal to vulnerable people such as the elderly, the very young (infants) and those with respiratory problems.
And beyond being unhealthy, it can downright blinding.
When learning to drive it was imperative that I learn to roll my windows down at a stop sign to listen for cars since you couldn't see them. I almost ran into a cow once because it had gotten loose and was walking on the road in the fog.
Growing up I remember the fog was dangerous and I was scared of it.
Flash forward 20 years. The foggy days weren’t as prevalent as when I was younger in the Valley, but we would still have a few weeks a year where we would get a stretch of fog. I would wake up early to go on my neighborhood walks and remember how the lack of being able to see heightened my sense of hearing. I felt like I could hear everything within a mile range.
I remember one recent foggy morning heading out for my morning walk after we had sold our home. At that time we had no answers of what to do next, what was coming next. As I pondered the uncertainties, I stood there in the street and looked down it into the fog. I literally could not see two steps ahead of me.
For the first time ever I remember not feeling scared or wary, but I felt trust. I prayed, "Lord guide each step, help me to trust even when I don’t see the next step. When I'm scared, help me to just take that next step. Let me hear your voice to guide me."
He was so faithful to give peace, faith, and trust in the middle of that foggy season of life. Whether the vision isn’t perfect and you have a lot of questions, or when you can see clearly, but still have a lot of questions, roll down the windows, so to speak, and listen for His voice. Allow His wisdom, His counsel, His comfort to guide you through the fog.
Walk in faith as you step into the unknown.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, ESV).
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27, NIV).