Many of us (perhaps a majority of us) have grown up in a world where "religion" is the arch nemesis of "science."

For too long, text books and scholars have been hostile to any mention of  God.  Many theories have contributed to this hostility along the way (Darwin's ideas, the myriad researchers who proffer their interpretations to support the theory of evolution, the degradation of humanity through euthanasia and abortion, etc.). Now, it often seems easier just to accept what is being presented as truth - we have evolved; we were not created.  Everything around us has evolved and adapted; nothing was created for a purpose.  There is no over-arching purpose; we each must find our own.

But science hasn't always sought to take the place of God.  Once upon a time, scientists sought to illuminate religion, not refute it.  It was a foregone conclusion that the world was God's handiwork.  A devotee of the sciences could well have begun all the accounts of his works with this inscription: 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork." Psalm 19:1

Copernicus was fascinated by what he described as "the movements of the machinery of the world, created for our sake by the best and most systematic Artist of all."

Galileo, undoubtedly one of the most recognized names in the history of the sciences, firmly believed that God had dictated the scriptures to guide men's spirits but proffered the unraveling of the universe as a challenge to their intelligence.  "Holy Scripture and Nature," he once wrote, "are both emanations from the divine word: the former dictated by the Holy Spirit, the latter the observant executrix of God's commands."

Isaac Newton, born the year Galileo died, felt the mantle of Galileo had fallen on him, so to speak.  Behind all his research was a conviction that God had ordered the universe and had given man faculties to discern its workings.

But today, sadly, those of us who see God's fingerprints in nature are often looked upon as irrational and gullible and feeble-minded and weak.

Many are seeing a return to acceptance of intelligent design, however. (See Mark Hartwig's article, "The Meaning of Intelligent Design", in the archives of Boundless.org for more.)

But accepted or not, how can we deny that creation points to God?

As Romans 1:20 says, we are without excuse if we deny God, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead."

Verse 19 says that that which may be known of God is made manifest unto us.  This is not to say that every aspect and action of God can be understood by taking a look at the world around us. We have finite minds; he is infinite. 

We will never come close to fully comprehending him this side of heaven.  And, as critics so often like to point out, evil is rampant in this world.  Evil cannot be a reflection of God.  It is a product of sin - our own sinful natures. The fall of man corrupted the earth, so it is not the perfection that God created in the beginning.

But look around you!

Look at the beauty of the skies.  Look at the wonder of our bodies.  Look at the amazing chemical processes at work behind the scenes in nature.  Look at the way God provides for us!

I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;  And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.  And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.  (Hosea 2:21-23)

Nothing on this earth would continue were it not for the sustaining hand of God.  Isn't the world he created for us amazing? How sad that we have become so separated, so disdainful, so full of pride that we have divorced God from nature and science.

As Paul and Barnabus said in Acts 14, the living God, who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and all things that are in them, has not left himself without a witness.  God's presence and strength and infinite wisdom and goodness are all around us, if we choose to see them. 

Don't be blinded by protracted defenses of theories and formulas that seek to hide God's glory. 

Don't be embarrassed to revel in his marvelous creation.  Nature is an open book in which we can read of his steadfast love and goodness, his awesome power. 

"Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  [There is] no speech nor language, [where] their voice is not heard."  (Psalm 19: 2-3)

God is God and all of creation proclaims him so.  Don't let the voices of this world tarnish or obscure his image and glory!