Joel Kontinen
New Scientist has not always been altogether friendly towards Biblical Christianity.
In what might at first glace seem like a different approach, a recent article in the magazine acknowledges that people are increasingly entertaining the idea that religion led to modernity.
Archaeology is actually a friend of the Bible-believer.
Places like Göbekli Tepe in Turkey suggest that the transcendent dimension played a major part in the birth of ancient civilisations. People built cities because they were religious. They did not become religious because they had built cities.
While the NS article recognises the role of religion, it urges people to leave that behind:
“But just because spirituality may have led to civilisation, it doesn't follow that it should lead it now. If religion did have an early founding role, we must acknowledge this, learn from it – and move on.”
However, we should perhaps stop for a second or two and think whether Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz on the ill-fated flight 9525 would have acted differently if he, instead of moving on, had really believed that he was accountable to His Maker not only for his own life but also for the 149 souls who met their end in the tragic crash in the French Alps.
And that there is a Transcendent Lawgiver, who admonishes us to love our neighbour as ourselves.
In fact, He is much more than that. For those who know Him, He is the loving and compassionate Heavenly Father who can be approached by prayer.
Source:
Should we thank god for civilisation? New Scientist 3014. (26 March 2015).
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