Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
Romans 1:22-23 NIV
God’s creation is wonderful and declares his power and glory. Few who look closely at the workings of the universe, and of life, can come away from the experience without marveling. From the wonders of the cosmos to the intricate complexity of a cell, it is amazing and awe inspiring. And, personally, I see God’s handiwork in all of it. Yet there are those who do not; who see nothing but random chance.
The wise, the intelligent, the learned. Why do so many of them reject God today? What is it that causes them to turn from worship of the creator, to worship of the creation itself? Is it really wisdom, as they claim? Or is it something else?
A Pathway to Foolishness
In the 11th chapter of Genesis is the account of the Tower of Babel. In this story, it is said that mankind began to build a tower that would reach up into the heavens, to make a name for themselves. While the word pride is not used in this account, I do believe it is at the heart of it. It was pride in their own abilities that led to the building of this tower. Pride that caused them to attempt to put themselves in God’s place. Pride that led them to believe they could replace God.
And I believe that human pride is one of the causes that lead people to turn away from God today; reveling in their own wisdom and understanding; and in the process, becoming fools. Education and learning are wonderful things. Modern science is a great tool to help us to understand the creation around us. But when we put education or science on the throne, instead of God, we have done what Paul is expressing in the verses above; claiming to be wise, but becoming fools.
Learn all that you can. Explore the creation. Understand how it works. Make our world a better place for all. But in the process, don’t be a fool and forget the creator. Honor him as God! Don’t allow pride in human accomplishment to become a pathway to foolishness.
