In our initial approach to order, we followed a pattern of broad strokes. This approach is common for the layperson, but risks the possibility of making us feel we know more about a theme than we really do. Is there order to the creation? Theologians in the Christian context tend to support strongly that belief. The consideration takes a number of directions. Would God provide to us a creation that was not orderly, so that we might not be able to survive and thrive by learning about the laws (order) of creation? It is clear that, if we accept the biblical narrative that in the general initial creation there was no order. The earth was without form and void. So it is that we can affirm that God can create by throwing substance into space, and watch to see what happens. One imagines there may be enjoyment in seeing a star strike a star, and flake off other stars. Nothing gained, except the divine attraction to entertainment – planet bowling.
Order was introduced, inside the fractioning, well before mankind appeared in what is identified as a garden – implying the matter of order. It had a center, and was good for the creatures introduced to it. There was a serious violation, and the garden was closed to all animal life, including mankind. In some distress, the man and woman leave the garden for an ordered, but sometimes arbitrary, nature. The man and woman were lifted a bit by the announcement of a kind of disorderly orderliness. Although she will bear children there will be the disorder of suffering. There is the clear assumption of recovery. Although the man will have to labor, assisting order, and sometimes lose the bounty of labor, he will sweat it out. There is order, but a disorder in the context to be borne. Violation has come in the perfect place, with choice to venture. That violation is the cause for disorder to the orderly. Eventually, according to Scripture that disorder will end. Even, the wolf and lamb will eat together in peace. (Isaiah 65:25) War will be no more. (Micah 4:3)
Issues are spiritual before they are physical. They can be understood and addressed, and we can move toward the order of God in the creation. One need not prove that all creation is orderly, but Scripture makes the creation orderly in the beginning, a factor lost not by God, but by human beings. There is then a perfection (order) and imperfection (disorder). They dwell together, and have created a stew of nature in which we live and struggle to understand. Until changed there will be storm, fire, tsunamis, winds and floods. There will be disease, and microbes (good and bad), to invade the order. There will be lies that undermine truths, even lies that undermine lies. Not to worry – there is truth and love to counter – and win. Truth belongs among the favorite factors in the mind of God. Truth, like love, is in his nature.
The summary of the problem falls under the rubric of sin. With adequate treatment of that revelation, that tilting of things, that infernal infection, that enemy of mankind and order, we are faced with our own contradictions and failures, our ignorance and suffering. All of it yearns for order as God would have it. It cannot be understood without some insight into the spiritual nature of mankind, and of God. We can reduce the problems, manage the refuse of disorder, resist violations of order, and gain the better part of the grace, safety, plan, and purpose of God. He informs us through Jeremiah that he knows the plans he has for us, and that they are good. Perhaps we will take some time to test all this in serious thought, faith, and personal investment. From that position, with prayer the safety valve, and faith the generator, we find the map of God in Scripture for the creation. It may be for the solar contexts only, for all we know, but it seems larger than that when we follow the orbits, and the laws of nature, which, in the end, become relatives of the laws of God. They cannot be less than orderly, when the seeming like violations are managed and commanded by God. Once we gain spiritual perception that all things work together for good to those who love God and follow according to God’s purpose, we proceed with courage and confidence. (Romans 8:28) There is safety in that: divine purpose is assurance for good outcomes leading to motivation to believe and practice the will of God. The outcomes may not appear to be good on occasions, but we learn that using them in the context of the Apostle Paul that they relate us to the good from the suffering for purpose proved in Christ. The Apostle Peter accented that truth. (1 Peter 2:19-20) Learning God’s order life is sometimes messy, but God prevails. Faith harbors life awards following God’s moral order. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020