God’s scientist

I don’t think there’s any arguing that society on a global scale is steadily pushing God into the collective back seat.

While we may not be as susceptible to that trend here in the South Central Missouri Ozarks (sometimes said to be positioned in the “Buckle of the Bible Belt”) as people are in many parts of the United States and the rest of the world, it’s still apparent in multiple ways, shapes and forms. And it can definitely be prevalent whenever many aspects of network TV are dominating our living rooms or anything to do with the mainstream media is involved.

Interestingly, and related to this very subject, my wife Wendy and I have recently become aware of Dr. John Lennox, a renowned author and speaker on the relation of God, science and philosophy. He has dozens of videos on YouTube, and we have gleaned a ton of insight and information from his teachings on many of them, and plan to watch more.

A native of Northern Ireland, Lennox, 81, is no Johnny-come-lately, and is much more than a county fair evangelist or social media “influencer.” He’s a highly-educated and well-versed individual who earned a doctorate in mathematics at Cambridge University and spent years as a professor of mathematics at Oxford University (both highly-regarded institutions in England), and he actually holds three doctorate degrees. But while he comes from a background of science, he has made it his life’s objective to ambitiously (but graciously) educate anyone and everyone who will listen about God and His Son Jesus, and he approaches his efforts with extraordinary communication skills and attention to accuracy and detail.

But what really sets Lennox apart from the “Christian apologetics” crowd (those who defend Christian beliefs through reasoned arguments and evidence) is his ability to so expertly describe God’s role in society – or decreasing role – and the way the Lord is being condensed, devalued or simply phased out in so many ways. As I listen to Lennox, I truly admire the way God has equipped him to effectively use clear and straightforward wording, and back up everything he says with practical evidence and applicable Bible scripture as he presents his statements about everything from creation to the resurrection, or the Lord being real and unmistakable in every day life – from the beginning to the present.

Lennox is known for some very intriguing and thought-provoking quotes. Here are a few classics:

“Either human intelligence ultimately owes its origin to mindless matter, or there is a Creator. It is strange that some people claim that it is their intelligence that leads them to prefer the first to the second.”

“…far from science having buried God, not only do the results of science point toward his existence, but the scientific enterprise itself is validated by his existence.”

“Nonsense remains nonsense, even when talked about by world-famous scientists.” 

I have learned so much from this man in the relatively short time I’ve been familiar with his work, and I find it considerably rewarding to hear him articulate how science and God are so intertwined (and how science basically owes its existence to God). But unfortunately, I believe Lennox is correct when he says, “You can’t ‘do God’ openly” these days, and more and more “you have to ‘do God’ in private” and sort of keep Him to yourself in public.

But thanks to his passion for his God-based directive, Lennox himself doesn’t necessarily roll that way. On the contrary, he has often taken the opportunity to mix it up with experts on the opposing side, so to speak, and is also renowned for debating famous atheists like Richard Dawkins (author of “The God Delusion”) and Christopher Hitchens. During these discussions, he presents his side with dignity, and again, accuracy, while maintaining obvious respect for his opponent regardless of being in disagreement. 

And perhaps not surprisingly, Lennox ultimately ends up sounding as though wisdom is at the core of his message, and the information he shares consistently seems relevant, logical, compelling, and best of all, true. Wendy and I watched the Lennox vs. Dawkins debate at the Natural History Museum at Oxford in October 2008 (titled “Has Science Buried God?”), and it was wild to hear Dawkins contradict himself multiple times in attempted comebacks to statements by Lennox. 

But then, Lennox has more than once pointed out about how atheists believe everything came from nothing, so in this debate, it’s fair to say that one guy had nothing on his side while the other had the omnipotent, all-encompassing Creator on his. 

Kind of one-sided, right?

Anyway, I very much recommend giving Dr. Lennox a focused listen, because I suspect it will replenish your knowledge, realization and appreciation of God’s ongoing, active and absolute role in life in general.

At very least, you’ll gain some new – and likely valuable – perspective.