Thermodynamics are laws to which all must bow

At the end of his first epistle to Timothy, the Apostle Paul writes, “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called….” There is true science, and then there is false science. While many modern translations of the Bible cannot bring themselves to be honest about this, the Reformation texts, which culminated 400 years ago with the publication of the King James Bible, sounded the alarms of a great scientific masquerade.

But before we get a look at this intruder, let us take a look at something that everyone will agree is true science: The laws of thermodynamics. We can only be brief in a setting such as this, but it is worth mentioning that there is a vast difference between what science calls a “law” and what it renders a “theory.” While theories may be an organized system of ideas, they are by no means proven, no matter how they are clung to. Laws, on the other hand, are beyond dispute.

Of the laws of thermodynamics, Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, “[A law] is more impressive the greater is the simplicity of its premises, the more different are the kinds of things it relates, and the more extended its range of applicability. Therefore, the deep impression which classical thermodynamics made on me. It is the only physical theory of universal content which I am convinced, that within the framework of applicability of its basic concepts will never be overthrown.”

The first law is known as the law of conservation of mass and energy. Basically, it states that mass and energy are constants. Though these may change to differing forms, their sum totals remain unchanged. It has been said that this law is “the most powerful and most fundamental generalization about the universe that scientists have ever been able to make.” And a corollary to this states that natural processes cannot create energy.

In the book of Hebrews this law is summed up this way: “Things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Written almost 2,000 years before the discovery of thermodynamics, both the Bible and the law of conservation point to God as creator.

The second law is known as the law of increasing entropy. What this means is that in a closed system, things will tend toward disorder. Like the gas tank in any car, it will eventually run dry without refueling. Every child that is born will eventually grow old and die.

My friends, this second law agrees perfectly with the Bible. In the book of Genesis it is recorded in Chapters 5 and 11 a decreasing life expectancy. Prior to Noah’s flood men lived almost 1,000 years, but afterward it sank to under 200 years by the time Abraham came on the scene. Today we don’t even average 100 years.

In Genesis we are also told of decreasing stature. Prior to the flood in Chapter 6, men were called “giants.” Fossilized pre-flood footprints in Glen Rose, Texas, indicate heights of nearly 12-feet tall. By the time David fought Goliath, these giants were exceptions. Nowadays, the average is less than 6 feet. The law of entropy in action.

The theory of evolution, on the other hand, stands in defiance to the laws of thermodynamics. There is no explanation for how energy and matter first came into being, just some big bang which could not have happened without them. And the law of entropy is avoided altogether because evolution is predicated upon things getting better. But are things really getting better?

When properly understood, evolution is man’s bid that he can make it on his own — he has no need of God. But is this really true?

Back in 1963, the infamous year our Supreme Court sided with atheism and told God he was no longer welcome in American public education, America was at her apex academically. Since that fateful day she has been in a decline, which has defied all attempts to arrest. And no amount of cash will solve this problem, because when God was asked to leave, he took his blessings with him.

Friends, thermodynamics is true science because it can be tested and verified. Though this was once known as theory, through testing they are now called laws. And being in agreement with the Bible does not diminish their validity. I guess the only thing left to ask is where do you stand in relation to these laws: Are you a law abiding citizen, or are you not?

Ron Hamman is pastor of Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla; contact him at 357-4229 or ron.hamman@gci.net