Proverbs 4

For many years now, scientists have tried to explain that, through the process of natural selection, we are “getting better” as a human species. With time, according to Darwinian theory, we will continue to evolve and become ever more sophisticated, complex, and efficient.

That’s simply not true. On the contrary, geneticists know (and have known for some time) that the human species is not advancing, but degenerating. This degeneration is called entropy, and as an organism, the human race is headed toward extinction. (To see further discussion about genetic entropy, check out this video.)

So, as a species, we began perfect, but after sin entered the world, we began to physically deteriorate. We started at the top, and now we’re moving down. And just as there is physical entropy, I believe there is also spiritual entropy. Only, I believe that once sin entered the world, we deteriorated in the spiritual department much faster than in the physical department. Indeed, in a spiritual sense, the Bible says we are people walking in darkness.

It seems pretty clear to me that Solomon understood this: “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” (vs 18-19)

In a physical sense, humanity is headed down, not up. And in a spiritual sense, we’re already down, and without God, we’re going to stay there! There is no possibility that we will ever reason our way out of our deep darkness on our own. In contrast, the path of the righteous—those who trust in God—works its way out of the darkness and into ever-increasing light. It is only with God that things can ever get better and better, brighter and brighter.

The only cure for physical and spiritual entropy is God. We can’t save ourselves physically, and we certainly can’t save ourselves spiritually. If we’re looking for a way out of our predicament, God is the only way up!