The Annunciation and Science

Science is good for many things: particularly in the area of medicine, but in many others as well. But scientists must remember their creator, for when they do not, they run afoul of his will and truth, as when the wicked people at Planned Parenthood touted certain scientists' findings to say that the tissue of aborted fetuses is needed for vaccinations (findings in line with the ghastly scientific experiments done on prisoners at Auschwitz). Or as when they offer misguided declarations to our children, presented as fact, that the world is billions of years old (I just wrote an article on the LCMS's controversy over this matter that arose last summer; it may be accessed here).

But today scientists must stop their research, and turn and bend the knee. For the Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his conception in her virginal womb, are matters beyond all ken, as the Apostle declares: O the depth both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! What microscope, or telescope, or laboratory, or analysis, can uncover this mystery? Even Mary fell short of addressing it, when she wondered aloud how she could conceive, being a virgin. For the greater mystery here is that the Almighty God, whom all the heavens cannot contain, deigns and vouchsafes to be contained within the  tiny space of her womb, and binds himself to it. Here God and man have become one Christ, for all eternity, and for our salvation. For he also gave himself into death, a death whose infinite value redeems the whole human race, and he rose from the dead, a rebirth that brings us everlasting victory over the grave.

Let us all learn to know where our knowledge comes to an end, and where, rather, we must all bend the knee and adore, and thank God for his unspeakable gift. Sermon for the Annunciation is here.

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