Temple of Science

Temple of Science

                                    "Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all."

                                                            -John F. Kennedy

            This writer is computer illiterate. When I was young, the type writer was a big event. I learned to type, being the editor of a professional scientific journal for 8 years, and how well I remember the carbon paper. Of course, I would have learned to use a computer, but now I can afford to have two people in my office using the computer while I dictate, etc. I well remember the first time I heard about the activities of a computer. I said, "Do you mean, that there is a machine that could alphabetize and catalog all my books (for many years I have been an antiquarian, book collector, and seller). I want that machine." Of course, this is just a small fraction of what the modern day computer system can do. Collecting, analyzing, storing data from every library, every focus of attention, from all over the world? Just think, in the pocket of my shirt, a system called a cell phone, into which I can talk, connects me with anyone, anywhere. A system in a telephone makes superior photographs, answers questions, reads newspapers, and even the bible to me.

            I was speaking before a conference of ministers, when a previous speaker had talked about the magnificence of the computer. I said, "With all the scientific splendor, miracles, of the computer, it does not even compare one iota with the magnificence- splendor of Jehovah-God. I have traveled to both the Arctic and Antarctic, top and bottom of the world, covered with 4 million square miles of glaciers, made up of snow flakes. Not two snowflakes that have ever fallen the same. God designed each snow flake different, each grain of sand on the beaches of the world, different. Each human being chosen by him, different. Can the scientific temple, a computer machine, begin to match the science of the human body?"

            The computer is now what we did call science fiction, just as Dick Tracy talking into a button on his coat. God knew that all these developments, this technology, was in the pipeline of his creation. He awaited man's ability to comprehend it. He established his rights with just one tree in a perfect world, 'don't touch that tree'. Man choose the spirit of disobedience and death then, has never ceased to do so. The only grace you will ever find in this world is in Jesus Christ, and still, the world has not chosen the spirit of life through Jesus Christ- still chooses the spirit of death, still chooses disease through poor life habits. Still chooses Satan, and chooses to disbelieve God.

            God supplies all our needs according to his riches and glory. (Philippians 4:19). In Mesopotamia the need for writing started... book keeping, debits and credits. Later, can you even imagine the difficulty in mathematically using Roman numerals? The so called Arabic writing system, numbers, started in India, but went around the world, bringing on a surge in mathematics. Books have been written about the need for accumulating data, information about everything. Just think, time zones were not established, Greenwich meaning zero, until 1884. Maps, navigation charts, are new to the world. Now we have GPS systems, which locate you anywhere in the world. Could one have ever imagined a Google system, which leads you to any accumulated data, can show you an image at any geographical location? Technology has changed the world, but human nature has never changed. With all our inventions (laziness, not necessity, is the mother of invention), our accumulated data, we have more warfare, disputes, than ever... even within one's own nation. This writer, traveling across Russia, on the trans-Siberian railroad, ten time zones, everything was held to Moscow time. In this information age, man's ability to accumulate data, polls can accurately predict political winners. World's cash register can provide information for advertising targets. The stock market ticker-tape, totally useless. The financial world, securities markets, etc, conquered by technology. In a world of data collection, the healing art's sciences have advanced, but more to the benefit of greedy pharmaceutical bandits, than sick-needful patients. Don't tell me that the "zillions" of dollars spent in research via largest of foundations and taxpayers could not find a cure for anything if the profit-bottom line of producers were not involved. I don't want a doctor, or health care person, who has never been sick. I do not want a preacher who has never sinned and found forgiveness. I do not want a business man who has never had empathy shown to him at a time of need. The heart must be broken for the world of our God of grace and glory to enter.

            General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, used a new word 'compassionate' in describing the Christian attitude to a lost and sick world. Another Englishman, David Livingston, wrote Christians in Scotland to send him other to help for his mission work in Africa. They wrote back, that many young people wanted to go and assist him, please inform about the best roads, with which to find him. Livingston wrote back that if they needed roads, they should not come. Those who are sick need a physician. I have heard the great choir at St. Thomas's Episcopal church on 5th Avenue in New York City. They are trained voices. You can tell the difference when you hear the Brooklyn tabernacle choir.. a choir made up of sinned sick- addicts, etc, who have been redeemed and truly have SOMEONE and SOMETHING to sing about.

            God has watched, paid careful attention, to his creation. He was watching the longest serving, Old Testament king (55 years), Manasseh of Judah, son of Godly parents. He saw Manasseh lead an entire nation astray, saw him return to God before his death. Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon said, "Don't depend on a deathbed conversion." It is hard for some people to understand, but God is in charge. He will have mercy on whom he will have mercy (Romans 9:15). The computer knows nothing about data collecting-analyzing, compared to almighty God. I urge you to have his holy spirit for your existence.

            This writer will have many questions for God. This past week, an ectopic pregnancy, my grandson and his wife lost my first great grandchild. Just think, in a day of abortions, so many unwanted children, a baby so wanted-already loved, by parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Your computer can give you much information, but you can trust Jehovah- God of grace and glory, who knows the end as well as the beginning.