These essays are written in sequence and build on each other. Read the preceding essay here.
We continue our exploration of the implications of the Perfection of the Creator, and how these should influence our interpretation of The Word.
There are a number of things concerning the Nature of the Creator that we take for granted; some things that are so obvious that they are typically not worth mentioning.
For example:
- God is God.
- Nothing else is God, and God is always Himself.
- God is good. Anything not in accord with Him is not good.
These statements “make sense”. They align with our sense of “order”.
Even children have enough of a sense of order and harmoniousness to understand those statements. It seems to be innate to human beings.
Works that we call “perfect” align with our innate senses of order, harmony, and beauty. These are aspects of perfection. The human spirit has the ability to distinguish that which is closer to perfection from that which is less so.
Interestingly enough, the three basic statements made above correspond to three fundamental tenets of formal logic – identity, non-contradiction, and excluded middle.
Yet, because of our innate sense of order, we didn’t need complicated technical language to know that those statements make sense.
Logic indicates that something makes sense.
Perfection makes sense: it is simple, orderly and harmonious. In this light we can view logic is an aspect of perfection. That which is perfect contains logic.
God’s Perfection created the Laws of Nature, which operate logically.
The success of science in applying logic to the study of nature cannot be denied. This gives a clue to the fact that there is logical perfection in God’s Works.
So how come the logic of science often appears to be at odds with spiritual principles and religious beliefs, if indeed the Works of God are always logical?
The divide between religions and science is the fault of both sides.
Over the last couple of centuries, science was gradually taken over by materialists, who insist that the only things that exist are things they can see and experience with their physical senses. They now form the majority of scientists.
These materialist scientists call themselves logical, but they adopt a number of illogical premises, such as that the Universe came into being by itself (since they aver that there is no Creator). They wish to study creation while denying the Creator.
This kind of materialist-scientific dogma violates the sense of perfection of many people, who know that for every observable effect, including this material universe, there must be a cause.
The peddling of superficial materialist logic as “scientific” and “genuine” logic gave logic a bad reputation in certain circles, including many Christians. Spiritual-minded people began to think (wrongly) of logic as a materialist tool, and therefore not useful in spiritual investigations.
Unfortunately this contributes to the fact that many of those who believe in a spiritual reality do not apply their sense of logical perfection to The Word. This causes misinterpretation of The Word, and leads to many wrong beliefs.
Wrong beliefs are often hard to swallow because they don’t make sense. The believer then forces the belief down by telling himself that the matter cannot be understood as it is a matter of faith. However in doing this he misinterprets the meaning of faith, as was explained in earlier essays.
Logic is not an intellectual thing that is owned or defined by scientists. It is an aspect of perfection and it is recognised by the human spirit.
Till heaven and earth pass,
— KJV, Matt 5:18
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law,
till all be fulfilled.
Therefore when we say that God’s Perfection is logical, that The Word is perfect, we simply mean that it is always orderly, harmonious, and beautiful.
This is a good guide to the correct interpretation of The Word.
Interpretations of The Word that appear “random”, or require us to “faithfully accept” things that violate our innate sense of order and harmoniousness should not be accepted, as they are not in sync with God’s Perfection.
Today’s Resolution
- We will give God the honour of perfection. We will not expect from Him things that are not aligned with His Will and His Love – things which are not beautiful, wholesome, orderly, and logical.
The Word, (Re)Discovered 