“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’ Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” (I Corinthians 1:18-25 NIV)
I was in a meeting recently in a common area of the student union. Nearby, a professor was meeting with his small class. I overheard him talking about Intelligent Design. He obviously had doubts about the veracity of a belief in a Cosmic Designer of the universe and all that is contained within it. He asked his students this question: “If some biological mechanism is believed to be evidence of design, is it truly designed or is it that we have yet to understand it?”
Today, many scientists believe the existence of God in the minds of people is there only because of ignorance. There is a knowledge gap that is naturally filled with a concept of God, but if the cosmos is explained, then God is no longer needed. Can the same be said of da Vinci, Rembrandt, or van Gogh? Once we learn the secrets behind their techniques, then should their artistic creations be viewed without acknowledgement of their creators? A creation of Rembrandt, then, is no longer “a Rembrandt.” It becomes just a painting to be admired for, well, its existence.
Whether it be art, woodworking, photography, or any other creative form, even if we understand the techniques used, we are still drawn to admire the creation and the creator. Our knowledge of the work and how it was made does not diminish our acceptance that an artist created it.
We live in a world enamored with the expertise of scientists and scholars, and many of them tell us that belief in a Creator is foolishness. Yet, I would daresay if they have art hanging on their walls, they acknowledge it has a creator.
Today, as you walk about the canvas of our Creator, appreciate what He has made and understand it is a reflection of who He is. Often thinking foolishly is the most sensible.
© Jim Musser 2013
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