I was in the Word of God this morning, enjoying the book of Acts and came across an ‘action section’ that I’ve read many times in the past, but this time from a new perspective.
We have heard it said among Christians who do and do not believe in Biblical cosmology that “Biblical cosmology is not a salvation issue.”
Although I was quick to agree with this statement originally, I now fully disagree, and I will endeavour to explain why.
First, let’s ask a follow up question to the statement:
“What is a salvation issue?”
I think we can all mostly agree on the items such as, in no particular order: believing in the saving power of the blood of Jesus, repenting, coming to Him, turning away from sin and the world and turning to Him, receiving Him into our spirit, being baptized, etc.
But those items are just a part of the ‘process of salvation’ (for lack of a better term). Let’s take a look at how the process of salvation typically looks: and let me know if you agree:
- God calls / a heart is open / softened towards God
- Someone starts seeking God / God starts calling someone – often from strange, if not wicked surroundings and practices
- Jesus (the Living Truth) is preached and the gospel lands in their ears
- The heart is open still and the seed of the Gospel is planted and starts growing
- The Bible / God’s Word begins to be trusted, perhaps a Bible is opened and read and the Word starts transforming even
- The repentance / salvation moment occurs
- A life is dedicated and lived for Jesus and the person is moved from Adam / the World into Christ / God’s Kingdom
- We move from milk to meat and are matured in our faith and walk with the Lord
- etc
There may be some variations on this outline but I think we would all agree this is the ‘typical story’ we have experienced ourselves and seen in others’ lives.
Would we not agree that each and every part of that journey is important if not more?
Could one make it to the last steps without the first?
Would we not agree that if at any point the devil comes to steal away the seed or steer away that something might take longer or not happen at all?
Now let’s read the ‘action section of the Word in Acts. As a back drop, Paul is entering Athens and is spirit is deeply troubled by their city loaded with idols:
[Act 17:22-28 KJV] 22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring...Here Paul lands in a city full of idols (sounds like where we live, doesn’t it?) and takes these idol-loving babies from zero with the milk-of-milk of the Gospel. How does he begin feeding the milk?
Paul begins by announcing who God is to assure them the ‘unknown god’ to whom they had built an altar, could be known, and, is actually easy to find if you look!
How does he define the True and Living God of the Word?
With His creation and creation story. Read again from verse 24 above. The beginning of the Gospel is intrinsically related to the very creation and world around us, because the very same God who is Jesus made this very earthly realm.
How did we dare allow the same idols (interestingly Helios is the god of the sun, FYI) paint a completely different creation story because some folks in some labs and textbooks say so? We have bowed the knee to the unknown god, and I’m speaking to you, you believer who claim to believe God’s word but do not.
The world says the sun is a star. The Bible says God made the sun, moon and stars.
The world says the universe is expanding eternally and new stars are being created. The Bible says God’s creation is complete.
The world says the earth is a ball flying through space. The Bible says it is immovable and on pillars and foundations.
How dare we claim to believe the Word, yet carry such obviously contradictory beliefs?
In conclusion, I believe that whether we carry the true biblical cosmology or whether we believe the world’s teachings fundamentally affects our relationship with the Lord – Not in a small way but in a major way. When I pray now, I look up. When I look up I know He is where He said He is. My faith is bolstered. And the cycle continues.
I also believe true cosmology is mission critical to bringing the unbelievers to Christ, and the watered down Christians to an even deeper relationship with the Lord because two fundamental things happen when you come to the truth of the Word on Cosmology:
- You realize the world’s system truly is a lie
- You turn from the world’s system more, or completely
- Your trust in the Word increases, thus your faith correspondingly
- You experience a deeper relationship with the Lord in this physical earthly plane
True cosmology is mission critical to our faith in God and Christ. Just the way Paul proved it so in Athens.
I implore you to turn from your mind and childhood teachings to the Living Word of God. Do your own research with your five senses and the Word of God and you will have such a deep gratitude towards God that will become part of your gospel message of hope to these lost specs of algae flying through infinite space…
Amen.
