From Mr Robert W. Turner
Sir — I have read the article “Much scientific ado about nothing” by the Revd Mark Harris (Comment, 1 June) with great interest. Professor Lawrence Krauss’s findings that there is “dark energy” amid an expanding universe is in complete harmony and agreement with scripture.
The powerful energy that Krauss refers to is what the preacher would call God’s power (in Greek, dunamis), and an expanding universe is indicative of a great God, in whom there is always more to discover. The universe is therefore an expression of God himself, who, the Bible declares, spoke creation into being.
God still speaks creatively today; in fact, whenever he speaks, he does so creatively, whether in the written word contained in the canon of scripture, or prophetically. When God speaks prophetically, he does so to reveal what is on his heart. The same was true at creation. When God created, it was a representation of his very character. Spiritually, this is also true, as when one is “born again” and becomes a “new creation”, the character traits of Jesus are displayed in the life of that individual, as in the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5.23-25.
The biblical account of creation also shows that when God spoke, light came from darkness. First, the natural light, and then, the spiritual Light dispelling darkness in the life of an individual are evidence of the effective communication of the word to change lives. The effective presentation and communication of scripture is what Isaiah alluded to when he declared that God’s Word would not return to him void, but would accomplish the purpose for which he sent it (Isaiah 55.11).
The Bible also contains many statements that it is easy to dismiss, but that science has found to be true thousands of years after they were first recorded. In the book of Job we read of air mass (Job 28.25); the earth’s rotation (Job 38.12 and 14); radio waves (Job 38.35); and the nature of light (Job 28.24).
I applaud the approach of the scientist to grapple with these issues, and that of the theologian in asking probing questions. As a Bible teacher and preacher, however, I am also aware of the importance of faith as described in Hebrews 11.1, which is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”.
Theology and faith stand side by side, acknowledging each other, but not impinging on the life of each other. In the context of the local, regional, and national Church, it is extremely important that we present a faith that is indeed profound in nature, and can be explored by the academic, but which is also, paradoxically, simple to grasp and understand and can be simply received by one and all.
This is surely what is involved in being an inclusive Church that effectively proclaims a clear and unambiguous message of salvation in our ever-changing cosmopolitan society.
ROBERT W. TURNER
46 Cludd Avenue
Newark
NG24 2GL