The Necessary Triumph of Mystery
The Necessary Triumph of Mystery
The following is an abbreviated essay from the longer white paper from the D. James Kennedy Institute of Reformed Leadership. You may download the white paper at no cost.
How shall we then reason? This is my question as we study scientific data from a materialistic view and quickly arrive at the logical extremity of the argument, refusing to engage with theology. Dr. David Gelernter (1945–) once remarked in the Claremont Review of Books, "Darwinism is no longer just a scientific theory but the basis of a worldview, and an emergency religion for many troubled souls who need one." Gelernter, a renowned mathematical scholar, was responding to Stephen Meyer's Darwin's Doubt and expanded his thoughts on an episode of "Mathematical Challenges to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution" at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. He added, "The world is a mess." When Meyer responded by saying that theology affirms what we observe in the material world, namely, that there is both intelligent design and the presence of entropy, he was pointing to a profound truth. This fits perfectly with the Judeo-Christian concept of the fall of man, which introduced sin into the world. We see this in the unchecked multiplication of mutations, creating extraordinarily dangerous bacteria and other disease-carrying entities. Dr. Gelernter not only conceded Meyer's argument but added that theology must be included in scientific inquiry because science arrives at dead ends in almost every area of inquiry. The only bridge to the logical progression of thought is built by theology.
The Interplay of Science and Theology
As you might guess, I completely agree. Dr. Gelernter’s concern that science, as the adopted closed-minded and biased worldview, limits or even excludes the necessity of theological dialogue is unquestionably true. For instance, when fossils of whales were found in a desert region of South America elevated far above sea level, materialistic, unbelieving scientists went to remarkable extremes to invent theories to support the discovery. However, Occam’s Razor—the simplest explanation is usually the correct one—guides us to see that a catastrophic flood brought these creatures inland to the elevated desert-like conditions and then compressed them with the right amount of water pressure, debris, and temperature, preventing ordinary decay or consumption by scavengers. The story of Noah and the worldwide catastrophic flood, and a remnant of life on an ark are anthropological common denominators in the human story. Scripture, proven time and again to be a historically accurate ancient record, explains the catastrophic flood in context. Remarkably, biased scientists must reject archaeology, ancient literature, history, and common sense to protect their materialistic view. This is so whether observing the sudden catastrophic event that created fossils of fish in the process of eating other fish, and the molten pancake layers of sediment turned rock strewn across continents that preserve the mixture of marine and land biology, or the language of the genetic code and the incredible life factories at work in a single cell.
Embracing Mystery in Theology and Science
One of the things you will often hear from aging theologians and pastors like myself is this: "I give more room for mystery these days." This is not only necessary humility cultivated after years of questions and observations but also a study of the Word of God. It is a virtue. Mystery can be a cop-out, but at the end of the day, if we have studied the Word of God, taken what is revealed, and restrained from speculation, and have a first premise and a conclusion but are given no second premise, we end up with mystery. If A, then B, therefore C. The classic example is divine sovereignty and human moral responsibility. It is an antimony (e.g., see J. I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God), for both are true. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever." It just may be that this virtue is also needed in the sciences. Embracing mystery in both theological and scientific equations is neither a failure nor a weakness; it is a level of maturity we should aim for.
Conclusion: A Call to Humility
So, let us affirm the unavoidable without jettisoning the plausible. Moses’ warning in Deuteronomy 29:29 is for believers to resist the temptation to complete syllogisms without verifiable data—If “A,” then “B,” and, therefore . . . “
In my years of counseling, I’ve tried to guide many through the mystery of suffering and loss, encouraging them to humbly acknowledge the inexplicable, and prayerfully lay these hurtful things down at the foot of the cross. For the cross of Christ embodies the mystery of unjust suffering more than anything we can imagine. God’s Son suffered for our sins, and we, in our brokenness, received His perfect life. There is Gospel mystery in affliction and godly mystery in grace. And what we learn in the process is that Jesus Christ is the Mystery unveiled. We can do no better than to encourage our fellow hurting friends to rest in Him.
The cross of Christ stands as the ultimate paradox, where divine love and justice intersect in profound mystery. Jesus, crucified by those He created, on timber He crafted, and before a world He upholds, uttered, “Father, forgive them…” At Calvary, He bore our sins and offered us His perfect life. This mystery, deeply elusive, invites us to respond with honesty: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” In embracing the mysterious paradox of Christ’s crucifixion, we lay our sins, burdens, and brokenness before the cross, finding hope in the One who transforms pain into prayer and prayer into praise, without ever dismissing our tears. Here, in the crucible of contradiction, we confront our most painful questions and discover that even in our brokenness—especially in our brokenness—the roots of God’s grace grow best in the crimson-soaked soil of affliction.
There is no answer but the Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus. He is the Word made flesh, the shrouded Mystery revealed, the unimaginable Answer to the unspoken questions of Everyman.
Embracing mystery in both theological and scientific equations is neither a failure nor a weakness; rather, it is a level of maturity we should aim for.—Michael A. Milton
Science, like theology, must approach revelation with humility born of limitations. Speculation may not be wrong in a moral sense but can be self-delusional if not downright fraudulent. Its consequences can be suicidal. Thus, embracing mystery when variables are unknown and possibly unknowable is an act of wisdom. As we continue our inquiries, let us remember that the most profound truths often lie beyond our immediate grasp, inviting us to explore with humility and wonder.
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
— The Apostle John ( 1 John 3:2)
As Walker Percy once wrote,
“The search is what anyone would undertake if he were not sunk in the everydayness of his own life. To become aware of the possibility of the search is to be on to something. Not to be on to something is to be in despair.”
Learning to live in the tension of the ‘why’ and ‘wherefore’ involves extraordinary inner pain and even disappointment with God. Yet, leaving our questions at the foot of the cross can lead to a depth of spiritual maturity and contentment formed only when faith confronts despair. We might call this the "triumph of godly mystery”—when faith grows stronger in the pursuit than in the resolution. For the pursuit, when undertaken in the Spirit, leads to wisdom and spiritual maturity shaped by God’s question to us: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me if you know so much” (Job 38:4 NLT). Here, then, is the triumph of divine mystery: The answers we seek are often found in the questions God asks. Such paradox lies at the heart of the Gospel and is, therefore, spiritual fuel for Christian living.
Lord and Father of all, we come to Thee in the name of Thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ and pray that we may increasingly think thoughts after Thee so that by Thy grace and might we may serve Thee with minds and hearts consecrated to Thee and Thy kingdom, more fully doing Your will, O Triune God, in Your world; We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Thee O Father and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever more. Amen.