Guests: Doug Sharp and Rich Geer
Description: If you stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon watching the sunset or gaze through the mist over the Na Pali coast on the island of Kauai, you would be quite a cynic to refuse to give glory to God. Even if you realize that these geological feature are remnants of the great flood, the fact is that there is a tremendous measure of beauty in the artistry of colors. Beauty is not a quality that is measurable scientifically. It is something that is self-evident to the eye of the beholder. I believe that if something is truly beautiful, it is because it brings us into remembrance of the Garden of Eden.
Beauty is outside of ourselves, much greater than our capacity to comprehend. Beauty tugs at our soul and reminds us of the ultimate purpose for which God created us. If something is beautiful, it brings us peace, tranquility, and a sense that this is the way life is supposed to be.
Beauty imitates our creator and if we create a piece of art that is beautiful, it is because it reflects the glory of God. Unfortunately much of what passes for postmodern “art” reflects the ugliness of the world around us. Those artists believe that we are just a product of chance, random processes and if you don’t like their art, well, tough. We’re just reflecting what we believe is reality. I believe this to be a mistake, and if they want to imitate the true reality, an artist needs to consider the wonders that are found in this world that are beyond clinical inspection and beyond our meager efforts to explain.
Beauty is hard to explain, much like love, faith, truth, peace, and joy. These cannot be analyzed in a laboratory test. Even in the geology of the world that has been ravaged by a flood, the remains of that world shows beauty, reminding us that God in His provision is able to show His glory and care for us in the aftermath of his wrath and destruction when He judged the world. He provided the rainbow as a sign that He would never again judge the world in that manner.
If we approach our study of this world from a Biblical worldview, we are able to gain a perspective that transcends scientific reason. The materialistic worldview that is taught in our schools is missing a spiritual dimension and when that is left out on purpose, it leaves a sense of emptiness.
