Doctrine of Scientific Laws and the Universe

Doctrine of Scientific Laws and the Universe

1. The preservation of the universe and the earth, including the human race, animal life, plant life, and the stability of our environment and atmosphere with its various components, depends exclusively on the omnipotence and immutability of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3).
2. The term “scientific laws” is technically a misnomer, because such laws do not depend upon science to exist. Science neither develops nor enforces these laws. For example, in chemistry, each time certain elements are combined, certain results always occur. This phenomenon is more accurately termed a divine law, not a scientific law.
3. So-called scientific laws are based on the statistical assumption that the universe, which operates according to a fixed norm, will continue to do so. Science can observe, classify, describe, and apply these normative operations, but is powerless to control them. A distinction must be maintained between illegitimate scientific speculation and legitimate observation and classification roles of science as part of the naming task God gave Adam (Gen. 2:19–20). Only God in His sovereignty can guarantee the continuation of these laws (Col. 1:16).
4. The universe, with its current laws of operation, will not always exist as it does at the present time (2 Pet. 3:10–12; Rev. 20:11).
5. Known “scientific laws” and phenomena which man has been able to observe, classify, and apply depend entirely upon the faithfulness of God. Jesus Christ at the present time guarantees the continuous operation of every bona fide scientific law (Col. 1:17; 2 Pet. 3:4–5).
6. The reason for preserving the universe is to resolve the angelic conflict in human history and to bring “many sons to glory” (Heb. 2:10).
7. When God destroys the present universe at the end of the Millennium (2 Pet. 3:10–12), only those indestructible things with permanent value will survive:
   1. Our salvation through faith alone in Christ alone (Rom. 8:38–39);
   2. The infallible Word of God (Isa. 40:8; Matt. 24:35);
   3. The divine historical records of believers who lived in the light of Bible doctrine (Phil. 4:3; cf. Ps. 69:28; Rev. 3:12; 20:12);
   4. Eternal blessings, both those conveyed to winner believers and those forfeited by loser believers (1 Cor. 3:13–14; Eph. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:3–4);
   5. The resurrection body of every believer (1 Cor. 15:40, 49–54).
8. Jesus Christ holds the universe together by “the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3). Simultaneously, He postpones eternity to give the human race ample opportunity to appropriate the grace of God (2 Pet. 3:9). This opportunity begins at the point of faith in Jesus Christ and continues throughout the believer’s life to resolve the angelic conflict and glorify God for all eternity.