A Blast from the Past on Creation

CS Lewis reminded us to read the old books along with the new ones. The generations who went before us have a lot to teach us, and it’s not uncommon to come across something that seems like it could have been written today. Such as this:

Nothing has arisen from chance or accident. Some fantasize that our whole universe was fashioned by purposeless chance-combinations of primary elements, and that no providence pervades the cosmos. But Scripture teaches that the universe has a Cause behind its systematic organization. On this Cause, all nature depends; it owes its beginning and foundation to Him towards whom it aspires and moves, in whom it rests. As Paul says, His eternal power and Deity are understood, clearly seen through the world’s creation [Rom 1:19]. Thus all creation and, above all, the orderliness of the heavens, declare the Maker’s wisdom in His skillful works.

This, I think, is what David wants to say [in Psalm 19]: visible things testify to the universe’s wise, skillful fashioning ,and continuance through the Lord’s power over all. The heavens, showing the Maker’s wisdom, practically shout with a voice; though silent, they declare the Creator’s craftsmanship. We can hear the heavens teaching us: “O mortals, in looking on us and seeing our beauty and vastness, our incessant orbit with its orderly, harmonious movement, acting in one methodical direction, turn your thoughts to our Ruler! Through the beauty you see, envisage the beauty of the unseen Source!”

— Gregory of Nyssa, Answer to Eunomius’ Second Book

One of the things you see when you read the writings of the early church is how little the opponents of the church have changed. The questions people raise today have been answered again and again through the centuries. We should mine their works for insight into the issues of today. And because we find beautiful passages like this.


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