Title: Discussion Forum 5.1 - Science, Matter, and “Very Good”
Course: BC - Chemistry 12 - 1.0

God loves chemistry! “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) — all of matter — and this is a “good” thing in the Lord’s evaluation. And no wonder that matter is such a good thing: He invented it! Some (the gnostics and others) erroneously put down the material realm (“bad”) as compared to the spiritual realm (“good”). But God created matter, stepped into it with the incarnation, confirmed its value at the bodily resurrection of Christ, and took it back into glory at the ascension. Indeed, “we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). Matter is here to stay! It is pretty fantastic that we have the privilege of making a detailed study of matter. So, with that in mind, here’s an interesting question for you to respond to: Do you think there will be a role for scientists and engineers in the “new heavens and new earth”? Why or why not?