Life that Can’t Exist

Ecclesiastes 8:16,17b
“When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also [there is that] neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) though a man labour to seek [it] out, yet he shall not find [it]; yea further; though a wise [man] think to know [it], yet shall he not be able to find [it].”

The founders of modern science, on the whole, believed in the Creator. The methods they developed were based upon the truth that the creation is voluntary. This means that God was not confined to what we have later defined as “scientific laws.” God could make anything He wanted in any way He wanted. Science cannot be done from the philosopher’s easy chair. Scientists must go out into the field and study how nature works. When science follows this path, it is open to astonishing discoveries.

One relatively recent unexpected discovery was the hot water vents deep below the ocean’s surface. Where the earth’s crust has split apart, hot water gushes out. This water reaches temperatures hot enough to, say, cause a piece of paper to burst into flame. Only the tremendous pressure more than a mile below the waves keeps the water in liquid form.

It was in this environment that scientists made an even more amazing discovery. They found bacteria that could live in the almost 700-degree water. These amazing creatures find the normal sea-level boiling point of water to be so cold, they can barely survive. Scientists are still trying to learn how these creatures live at temperatures that would destroy the normal biochemistry of life.

Each new discovery tells us a little more about the work of our wonderful Creator. That’s what science was originally intended to do. Keep that in mind when you hear someone say that belief in the Creator makes doing science impossible.

Prayer:
Lord, how little we have learned about Your wonderful work all around us! I ask that You would give extra boldness, strength and wisdom to Christians who are working in science, especially when they are attacked for believing in You. Amen.

Notes:
Thomas, Lewis. 1983. “On life in a hell of a place.” Discover, Oct. p. 42.