Blog 9: 1.5.2 - 1.5.5

The heavens declare God's glory, and so the astronomer is also a theologian who explores the Book of Nature in which God has inscribed his glory. But "what is man that you care for him?" means that the anatomist who explores the intricate, even microscopic details of the human body, also studies the revelation of God.  Above and within man God shows that he is our Father.  This is Calvin's heartbeat!  For, he notes, "no one gives himself freely and willingly to God's service unless, having tasted his fatherly love, he is drawn to worship and love him in return" (I. V. 3).

We have within ourselves a veritable divine "workshop."  Yet instead of praising him men swell with pride in themselves and find reasons for rejecting the revelation God has given to them.  Instead of acknowledging the true and living God men "substitute nature for God."

We have all seen or heard it.  A secular naturalist engages in the activities Calvin here describes--whether by exploring the heavens or investigating things on earth. Insects and animals with the most limited mental capacity are said to engage in all kinds of detailed logical thinking as they develop coping mechanisms in a hostile environment. And as the program ends the naturalist comments "And so again we find ourselves saying 'Isn't Mother Nature wonderful?' "

But who, one might ask, is Mother Nature?  Why is her name always capitalized?  On what logic has our agnostic or atheist presenter smuggled in his or her appeal to the transcendent? How profoundly true are Paul's words that men exchange the truth about God for the lie.

Mother Nature?   Or, Father God?