I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.(Ecclesiastes 1:14)
The book of Ecclesiastes deals with man and his mental anguish at confronting the seeming lack of purpose to life. The author takes a comprehensive look into all sorts of lifestyles and worldviews, yet comes back, ultimately, to God. This journey is from a human, rather than divine point of view, and although there are human errors of judgment in it, it is inspired by the Holy Spirit as scripture. Not that the Bible is promoting error; what the Bible does is accurately reflect the point of view that is expounded.
Here it is the view of frustrated man, shown so as to give the ultimate lack of purpose for the humanist. It is a reasoned evaluation considering everything that can be known about the cosmos and of life from a point of view that isn’t truly considering God. The sole means of investigation into the meaning of life is to look “under the sun”, that is, to look at nothing beyond what one can see, investigate, or by appearances alone. This is the plight of those who would look to purely naturalistic explanations for everything.
This book has good in it, but it really is to be a contrast to a divine perspective, and to bring us closer to God, to show us that we cannot possibly find the answers no matter how much we learn apart from the Almighty. Even if scientists were to find their panacea, a unified theory, they still wouldn’t become the Creator whom made it so. Science is a window to the Divine but we stop at studying the window instead of looking through it to God. The window was placed there not simply to be looked at but also to be looked through.
Even those who aren’t scientists per se can get caught up into a “see it and believe it” mentality. Christians can get the idea that they should test God, and they “put out a fleece”, or bargain with God, or any number of other silly things. By assuming to everyday life the empiricism and inductive reasoning of the scientific method, a person may naturally develop an epistemological idolatry – experience becomes the sole god of revelation. If it can’t be tested, it can’t be trusted. We turn the knowledge of God into a scientific experiment. But if we need to know everything to know anything, then we know nothing – which is self-refuting.
Solomon tested everything under the sun, and found it lacking in eternal quality. Vexation of spirit is a term that is used throughout the book, and it basically means a grasping at the wind. That is what trying to discover the meaning of life is apart from God, for it is He who gives life, sustains it, and is the ultimate cause and purpose for it. The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. To know God is to know life, and to know your purpose. You can try everything under the sun, but all you will do is get sunstroke, and remain thirsty. However, he who hungers and thirsts after righteousness will be filled (Matthew 5:6).
12 comments:
"Science is a window to the Divine, but we stop at studying the window instead of looking through it to God. The window was placed there not simply to be looked at but also to be looked through."
This is proper analogy of the natural man’s myopic view of God. The window can represent the intellectual pursuit & the splendorous findings of such. Science often worships both: the discoveries; & man’s cognitive & physical prowess in the unearthing of said findings. I believe this is why God intervened at the tower of Babel. Man, in the midst of a grand physical construction, was attempting to deconstruct his reliance on a higher Power &, in effect, usurp said Power’s authority over him. God blessed mankind by the confusion of the tongue- they lost the ability to incorporate their individual, natural intellect. The haughtiness of heart coming about as a result of such a conglomeration of intellect, & thereby knowledge, would cause man to lose something of far greater value- humility before God. It would seem, in these last days, God has allowed man to corporately come together once again to construct a modern tower of Babel- Science (capitalized, for it is their god). This impressive physical construction often & unfortunately brings the consequence of an arrogant spiritual myopia, & ironically, eternal destruction.
"But if we need to know everything to know anything, then we know nothing – which is self-refuting."
Great line.
Been there, don't wanna go back.
Wow, I was gonna comment about the window, but stevehall's contribution was great! I've been out-thunk!
When it comes to a see it and believe it mentality, I would say that we have seen enough to believe in what we do not see, so that our faith is not an irrational blind leap, but a worldview that is sensibly anchored. How sad for those who continue to attempt what the author of Ecclesiastes has already found to be futile. Praise God that by His sovereign grace he has chosen to open the eyes of some.
Well done! Sorry for the brevity, but what can I really add?
Steve, well done again, brother...
If I may, allow me to quote CCR- “it ain’t me.”
Some of the stuff I type is revelation to me as I type it, or as I preach it- as with Surrey Place last Sunday. JD, this is why I often seek your opinion on these things, to check my inspiration as God-given & Scriptural.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above"
These things may come though me, but if it's good, it didn't come from me.
9-28-06
I think the race to find the Higgs-Boson, the so called "God particle" fits into this post...
Scientific inquiry...good...
Scientific idolatry...bad...
So much to learn.
That sounds ironic, but it is true...
Without Him, everything is meaningless.
Prov 9:10
I think that the whole fun thing about science is that not everything can be explained. Sometimes 'I don't know' is the answer. Some things will never be explained...but the rest is.
It makes me think of Proverbs 30:4 "Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son's name? Surely you know!
Yes, I know His name:
JESUS!
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