“His Eternal Power being Clearly Seen” verses the “Unseen Miracles” of YEC

If the universe were chaotic and unpredictable, it would fail to provide the clear evidence of a rational, powerful, and divine Creator. Romans 1:20 states: "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." This verse is a cornerstone of the concept of general revelation, the idea that God reveals Himself to all humanity through the natural world. The passage asserts two specific "invisible qualities" that are made visible: eternal power and divine nature.

• Eternal Power: This is seen in the sheer existence, scale, and complexity of the cosmos. The immense energy required to create and sustain the universe points to a power that is without limit or end.

• Divine Nature: This is understood to include attributes like rationality, intelligence, and order. The universe isn't a random, chaotic jumble; it is governed by predictable, consistent principles. We see this in everything from the orbits of planets to the intricate workings of a cell.

The conclusion of the verse, "so that people are without excuse," is the critical point. It implies that the evidence is so clear and accessible that no one can reasonably claim ignorance of God's existence and character. 

The Laws of Nature as Evidence of a Divine Mind 

Modern science, with its discovery of physical laws such as gravity, thermodynamics, and the laws of motion provides a powerful lens through which to view Romans 1:20. These laws are not just descriptions of how things happen; they are consistent, mathematical, and universal principles that govern the cosmos.

A universe with unchanging laws reflects a Creator who is orderly and rational. If these laws were subject to random, arbitrary change, science would be impossible, and the universe would be incomprehensible. The very fact that we can study nature, make predictions, and discover repeatable patterns is what makes it a convincing testament to a divine mind.

If God were to arbitrarily change the laws of nature, it would undermine this foundational evidence. For example:

• If gravity were to suddenly and randomly cease to exist, objects would float away, and planetary systems would fall apart. This would not demonstrate "eternal power" in an understandable way; it would demonstrate caprice. The consistent pull of gravity, in contrast, powerfully testifies to a stable, dependable force behind the universe.

• If chemical reactions were to suddenly follow new, unpredictable rules, life as we know it would be impossible. The reliable way in which atoms bond and molecules interact is what allows for the complexity of biological systems.

In this context, a God who frequently or randomly changes the rules of the game would not be a God whose "divine nature" is "clearly seen." He would appear to be inconsistent, and the universe would cease to be a reliable witness to His character. The very order that gives people "no excuse" would be gone.

Young Earth Creationism and Gods changing of the Laws of the Heavens 

Young Earth creationism (YEC) posits that the universe and Earth were created approximately 6,000 to 10,000 years ago in six literal 24-hour days, as described in Genesis. This view requires God to have acted supernaturally, suspending or altering the natural laws that science observes today. YEC proponents argue that phenomena like the appearance of starlight from distant galaxies in a short timeframe or the formation of geological strata must have been achieved through divine, miraculous intervention. They often suggest that God created the universe with an "appearance of age," meaning it looks old but is not. This perspective sees God not as working exclusively through consistent, unchanging natural laws, but as a sovereign being who can directly manipulate the fabric of reality to accomplish His will, particularly during the creation and post-creation events like the global Flood. From this view the laws of the heavens are not clearly seen so that man is with an excuse to ignore them.

The Exception of Miracles

This line of reasoning does not negate the possibility of miracles, which are extraordinary events that appear to suspend or override natural laws. The key difference is that a miracle is a specific, purposeful, and rare intervention, not an arbitrary change to the underlying laws of nature.

A miracle, such as Jesus calming a storm or walking on water, doesn't suggest that the laws of fluid dynamics are being rewritten for everyone. Instead, it is an extraordinary demonstration of God's power over the natural order. It is a signpost, not a change to the road map. The very fact that an event is perceived as a miracle depends on the pre-existing, consistent laws that it appears to deviate from. Without the backdrop of a predictable, lawful universe, a miracle would be indistinguishable from a random, unexplainable event.

The reliability of nature is what allows a miracle to be a powerful and meaningful sign, one that points to a God who is not only the author of the laws of nature but also sovereign over them. It is this balance between a consistent universe and the occasional supernatural intervention that provides a coherent picture of a God who is both rational and all-powerful, leaving humanity without excuse.