For me, one of the biggest arguments against the materialist world view, is beauty. If everything on earth has a materialist purpose then why is there so much beauty?
Yes, they claim beautiful coloured flowers attract the insects and in doing so propagate themselves. Or a male birds beautiful plumage will ensure he is the one to mate. But much of the surrounding beauty is gratuitous. The flower could attract the insects by its bright colour, so why the lovely smell? Why the beautiful shape? The bird may attract a mate by his physical beauty, but why does the female have such a beautiful song in return? Or why are the eggs so perfect in shape and colour?
Why are you left with a sense of yearning and awe at the top of a mountain, as you view the great vista below?
If music has some materialistic role, why Mozart or Beethoven? Is that not overkill?
Or, is the beauty in art, music and nature a glimpse, a promise of what is to come?
There are times in this great and awe-inspiring world around us where we can see the shadow of heaven. A slice, a moment, a fleeting glance at something we don’t understand and yet yearn to achieve. An insight that gives us a glimpse of something that is more our real home than we know. If we could reach it, we would comprehend everything.
Beauty is a foretaste of heaven. God’s hand has placed reminders of his greatness. Our pursuit of the beautiful is an instinct that draws us closer to him.
Brother James’ Air (“The Lord’s My Shepherd”) – Words from Psalm 23 – YouTube
Roberta Writes 