Does Seeing Lead To Believing?

Issues – July/August 2010 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Does Seeing Lead To Believing?

Every time we see a rainbow, we remember God’s promise: “The rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant ... the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh” (Gen. 9:14-15 NKJV ). The rainbow’s beauty is a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness, mercy and glory (Ezek. 1:28).

Christians appreciate how the natural world is a reminder of God’s goodness. Some of those natural observations become unusually popular in Christian circles. One recent example involves an interesting molecule called laminin. This protein molecule, found in humans and animals, is part of a structure that attaches organ cells to a base layer of tissue. For example, laminin helps to hold stomach cells together so they can operate properly, and it plays the same essential role in other body organs, too. Laminin’s shape contributes to its function, having one long arm and three short arms that connect with other molecules and cells.

This structure has caught the attention of many Christians, because the textbook diagram of laminin looks very much like a cross. Since Colossians 1:17 says all things consist and are held together by the Lord Jesus, the cross-like shape of laminin encourages many to see a reminder of God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice in the very cell structure that holds our bodies together.

How far can we take this marvelous illustration? Does the fact that cross-shaped laminin holds our cells together serve as a proof of Christianity? In other words, can we use this biological fact as a tool to strengthen the faith of believers and to evangelize unbelievers? Does the structure of laminin prove that everyone should believe in the Savior who died on a cross?

Clear Distinction
Let’s make a clear distinction between illustration and proof. Illustrations usually highlight similarities between objects or events in order to help explain something. An illustrated principle can be easier to understand, even though not everyone will link the illustration to the principle in the same way. For example, just as an airplane’s design uses aerodynamic properties to overcome gravity, so Christians who rely on the Holy Spirit can overcome the flesh (Rom. 7:18-8:1). Proofs, on the other hand, make evidence-based statements that cannot be contradicted because they are reliably and factually true. They imply a cause-and-effect relationship between various events in which one event predictably leads, without exception, to a certain conclusion.

It’s difficult to apply the word “proof” to laminin. The shape of this molecule does not really prove anything about God’s love or the work of Christ. For one thing, not everyone sees the cross shape. Under a microscope, the laminin molecule sometimes looks very floppy, its arms greatly skewed from the textbook model. Additionally, others who view diagrams of laminin say it looks more like a sword or some mythical symbol rather than a cross. If we want to use laminin as a proof that Christ loves us and holds us together, then we will first have to convince skeptics to view laminin as a cross and nothing else.

Although the rainbow is invested with meaning by God Himself, little else in creation holds such specific symbolism. Much of the natural world is limited to illustration, not proof. To insist otherwise can expose Christians to the charge of being erratic when it comes to natural observation. For example, some nutritionists have suggested that long ago God gave mankind a hint that carrots would help eyesight because a carrot sliced across its middle has the appearance of an eye. Similarly, because a slice of tomato has sections resembling the four chambers of the heart, it should be obvious that tomatoes are heart-healthy foods.

Unclear Fascination

While such assertions start to sound a bit silly, some Christians seem to find them more inspiring than the Scriptures themselves! At the extreme, a fascination with these observations may indicate a lack of scriptural knowledge, causing us to rely on illustrations or so-called “signs” rather than doing the study necessary to defend our faith from the Bible. When it comes to laminin, perhaps it’s all right to say that it reminds us of some biblical truth rather than saying laminin’s structure proves this or that. Otherwise we could be in danger of “making a scientific observation our proof that God loves us” instead of resting on the scriptural declaration of His love (Johnson, 2008). As one Christian biologist (Purdom, 2008) wrote: “The main problem with this type of argument is that it appears that something outside of Scripture (in this case, laminin) is vital to know the truthfulness of a biblical truth ... However, we should never use our fallible, finite understanding of the world to judge the infallible Word of God.”

In today’s “fast food” culture, many people prefer the “drive-thru” approach when it comes to knowing God’s truths. A sign is much quicker than studying God’s Word and discussing it with other believers.

Romans 1:20 indicates that creation shows God’s eternal power and Godhead. The heavens “declare the glory of God” (Ps. 19:1), and the natural world reminds us of His attributes. The psalmist wrote, “Your righteousness is like the great mountains” (Ps. 36:6). We should indeed find encouragement in the illustrations from laminin and other observable wonders, but we should not try to strengthen our faith by them. Otherwise, we may be equally shaken by observations that seem to contradict Christianity.

Is our faith weakened if constellations in the sky don’t portray Christian symbols or biblical heroes? Are we troubled that the moon regularly appears as a crescent – a shape used symbolically by anti-Christian religions and governments? Does it undermine our Savior’s work as the Good Shepherd when we learn that the ghastly and often fatal Ebola virus has the shape of a shepherd’s crook?

Firm Foundation

The safest way to avoid an improper foundation for our faith is to maintain our stand on the Bible itself. But those who don’t want to believe the Bible will not be convinced by even the most amazing visual displays. A startling indication of this comes from the Lord Himself in the narrative of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31). After both died, the rich man awoke in torment, and he asked if Lazarus could go back to earth to warn his family. When reminded that his family already had the warnings of the prophets, the rich man said they would not heed those words but would definitely respond to one who rose from the dead. Listen to this solemn statement! “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead” (Lk. 16:31).

In the same way, if unbelievers are not persuaded of the truth of God from the Scriptures, they will certainly not be persuaded merely by natural illustrations. God does use His creation to get the attention of those who are seeking Him, but our faith should be based on the firm foundation of the Word of God.

END NOTES
Barton Publishing (May 27, 2008). “God’s Pharmacy.”
Beck, K., Hunter, I., and Engel, J. (1990). “Structure And Function Of Laminin: Anatomy Of A Multidomain Glycoprotein.”
Colognato H, Yurchenco (June 2000). “Form And Function: The Laminin Family Of Heterotrimers.”
Johnson, Ben (June 13, 2008). “Colossians 1:17 And Laminin: Proof Or Illustration?”
Purdom, Georgia. (Oct. 29, 2008). “Laminin And The Cross.”
Tsunkatsemaster. (Apr. 3, 2008). Louie Giglio – Laminin [Video File].

By Stephen Campbell