Professor W.T. Stace, in his classic work, “A Critical History of Greek Philosophy”, commented that: “Every student of logic knows that this is the ultimate canon of the science, the foundation of them all. If we did not believe the truth of causation, namely everything which has a beginning has a cause, and that in the same circumstance the same things invariably happen, all science would at once crumble to dust. In every scientific investigation this truth is assumed.” (x/6).
Richard Von Mises has observed: “We may only add that almost all philosophers regard the law of causality as the most important, the most far reaching, and the most firmly founded of all principles of epistemology.” (y/159)
Effects do not happen without adequate causes. We also know that the effect is never quantitatively greater, or qualitatively superior to the cause. In other words: “Every material effect must have an adequate cause.” The river did not turn muddy because the frog jumped in; the book did not fall from the self because the fly landed on it. These are not adequate causes. Whatever effects we observe, for those effects we must postulate adequate causes. (z/14)
The universe is here. Some cause prior to the universe is responsible for its existence. That cause must be greater than, and superior to, the universe itself. Admittedly there is no natural cause sufficient to explain the origin of matter, and thus the universe. Dr. R. L. Wysong comments on this problem: “Everyone concludes naturally and comfortably that highly ordered and designed items (machines, houses, etc.) owe their existence to a designer. It is unnatural to conclude otherwise. But evolution asks us to break from what is natural to believe and then believe in that which is unnatural, unreasonable, and ... unbelievable.” (a/412)
Dr. Wysong presents an interesting historical case to document this point. Some years ago, scientists were called to Great Britain to study, on the Salisbury Plain at Wiltshire, orderly patterns of concentric rocks and holes. This find came to be known as Stonehenge. As studies progressed, it became apparent that these patterns had been specifically designed to allow certain astronomical predictions. The question of how the rocks were moved into place, how these ancient peoples were able to construct an astronomical observatory, how the data derived from their studies were used, and many other remain unsolved.
But one thing is clear: the cause of Stonehenge was intelligent design. Stonehenge could not have been produced by the erosion of a mountain, or by catastrophic natural forces (like tornadoes or hurricanes) working in conjunction with meteorites to produce rock formations and concentric holes. But, what person with any common sense would ever believe such a suggestion?
Now, says Dr. Wysong, compare Stonehenge to the situation paralleling the origin of life. We study life, observe it’s functions, contemplate its complexities (which defies duplication even by the most intelligent men with the most advanced methodology and technology), and what are we to conclude? With the creation of life --- the intricate design of which makes Stonehenge look like something a three-year-old child put together on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of a blinding rainstorm using Mattel building blocks --- we are asked to believe that such can be explained by blind, mindless, accidental, physical processes without any intelligent direction whatsoever?
No one, after examining the evidence, would ever be convinced that Stonehenge “just happened”. That is not an adequate cause, and everyone recognizes this. Yet we are being asked every day to believe that life “just happened”. Such a conclusion is both unwarranted and unreasonable. The cause is not adequate to produce the effect. (z/14) Since the universe exhibits design, it must have a designer; since it exhibits intelligence, the Designer must be intelligent; since it exhibits life, the Designer must have been living; since it exhibits morality, the Designer must have been moral, and so on. When the Bible records, “In the beginning, God ...”, it makes known to us this first cause.
That Designer is God said Paul in Hebrews 3:4, “Every house is built by someone; but He that built all things is God”. And in Romans 1:20, “For the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.”
x) Stace, W.T., “A Critical History of Greek Philosophy”, London, 1934.
y) Von Mises, Richard, “Positivism”, New York: Dover, 1951.
z) Thompson, Bert, Ph.D., Reason & Revelation, Vol. X, #3, “The Bible and the Law of Science, the Law of Cause and Effect”, Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press, Inc.
a) Wysong, R. L., “The Creation-Evolution Controversy”, East Lansing: MI: Inquiry Press
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).
WE WELCOME YOU
Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.
Please contact me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com, or 253-396-0290 (cell) for comments or further Bible information, or for the location of a congregation belonging to Jesus Christ near you.
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