Along with a Christian faith, there is room for science. Newton was not a heretic, any more than Luther. Understanding the universe doesn’t negate belief in God. The launching of the James Webb telescope happened to be on what we consider Jesus’ birthday, December 25, 2021. We are receiving data, proof that hundreds of billions of galaxies exist beyond our own. It is mindboggling to say the least. We are learning about our universe on the most fundamental levels. I have always been fascinated by outer space, the Apollo missions, “Star Trek”, the cosmos. Wondering at how God created the Big Bang synthesizes religion and science. Both are reality and truth, at least as we can understand before the end of all things comes.

It is important and I think helpful to hold these facts together as we strive and fail to understand that humanity is both the most evolved of God’s created beings and its’ most flawed. Space, planets, the stars – they are pure. Without conscious thought, to be sure. But still pure. I sleep better at night when I consider the moon and the stars in their courses and yet knowing also that God took the greatest chance – and delight at creating US, and watching US evolve. Everything that amazes us about this planetary home of ours, with life-sustaining matter and purpose, also amazes us about the vast distances across the universe. In the greatest of love possible, God placed himself among us to learn and expand.

Pastor Art