A Personal, Intelligent God
By Roderick S. Owen
WHEN a boy, I entered, for the first time in my life, a large factory. I found myself in the presence of a labyrinth of wheels, pulleys, and belts, moving, turning, or flying in every direction. I was bewildered. All seemed confusion. Presently, as the first impression wore away, I began to examine the portions nearest to me, and I found there perfect system and order. Each wheel had its assigned duty. Each belt had its allotted task. Each cog met its corresponding mesh. Each portion had a work to perform for which it was especially adapted. A continued examination revealed a common design running thru it all, an adaptation of part to part, and each part to the whole. As I studied that machinery, my mind was impressed with the thought of an inventor and maker, and in it was revealed to me not only the fact of a maker, but also his ability to design and his power to execute. Therefore Paul says (Rom. 1:20), "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; so that they are without excuse." It is here asserted that the heathen, by examining the created things which are about us, could in them discover the fact that there exists a personal, intelligent, and powerful Creator. Let us take our stand upon the seashore. Spread out before us lies the broad expanse of old ocean, whose waters rise and fall in ceaseless motion, and far, far away they seem to kiss the sky. Over it all the sun is pouring his effulgent beams. A mist constantly arising from the water is swept inland by the sea breeze. Let us follow it as it is carried on the wings of the wind over hill and vale, over mountain and plain, until it finds a resting-place upon the earth in the form of rain, or snow, or dew. Soon it is swallowed up by the loose and open soil, and would seem to be lost forever; but not so. Here it comes in contact with the tiny rootlets of the plants, and soon the face of the rose or the lily swaying to and fro at our feet is brightened by its presence. Attracted again by the air, it comes forth laden with fragrance to delight the passer-by. Perchance it escapes the rootlets and percolates thru the earth until it gushes forth in the cool, crystal spring, to which the lowing herd and weary men alike will come to quench their thirst. Having served its varied purposes, it is soon found in the rippling rill, the babbling brook, or mighty river on its way to be received again by that mother of all waters, "The grand old ocean." Who can study these things and not find in them design, order, system, and adaptation? Surely in all nature is declared the existence of a great Designer, with intelligence to plan, and power to execute. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork." When we contemplate the heavens, when we consider the mighty suns, which together with vast retinues of brilliant attendants go sweeping on thru space, impelled by a silent but irresistible force, we are impressed with the power of that God who "bringeth out their host by number; He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth." We stand at the base of a towering mountain. In grandeur it lifts its head, piercing the clouds. Its base is wrapped in solemn gloom. Its top is bathed in glorious light. In the presence of its loftiness, its majestic greatness, we are awed into silence, while we think of Him who settled the mountains, and brought forth the hills. Yes, the universe about us, in its sublimity, majesty, beauty, glory, and power, declares to us with silent tongue, "There is a God." Paul, in reasoning with the Athenians, said, "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." When we turn to consider the creature of God, we find him "fearfully and wonderfully made," stamped with personality, possessed of will-power, and endowed with intelligence. What wonders he hath achieved! What possibilities are before him! Can such a creature have been the product of other than a personal, intelligent Creator? Then, since we see in ourselves and the handiwork about us, personality, intelligence, wisdom, power, and glory, and since the Creator could not impart to the creature that which He did not Himself possess, we must conclude that there is a personal, intelligent, all-wise, omnipotent, and glorious Creator.