Neil deGrasse Tyson

"The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples see His glory." Psalm 97:6

Evolutionary astrophysicist, cosmologist, author and television host Neil deGrasse Tyson made headlines recently regarding what he wrote on Twitter. Tyson, a self-described Agnostic, tweeted the following: "On this day long ago, a child was born who, by age 30, would transform the world. Happy Birthday Isaac Newton b. Dec 25, 1642." To Tyson, Isaac Newton is, "The Man;" the greatest physicist in history. While Isaac Newton may have been born on Christmas Day (some calendars put his birthday as January 4, 1643), the way in which Tyson wrote these words is an obvious dig at Jesus Christ, specifically, and Christianity, in general. Otherwise, he would have simply said, "Happy Birthday Isaac Newton." But to use phrases like, "a child is born," "by age 30" and "transform the world," no matter how universally these terms can be applied. and regardless of whom they can be applied to, is an obvious dig at the Lord. He is free to do this and by the 62,000 retweets he received, many of his followers enjoyed it. But, what is most interesting to note is that Isaac Newton, by many accounts, was a Christian at best and a believer in God at worst. Isaac Newton did not hide his belief in God and did not see his belief as a hindrance to his scientific pursuits.

Regarding the sun and other heavenly bodies, Newton wrote: "This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intellectual Being." On the Lord of the heavens, he wrote: "This being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord of all." On atheism, he writes: "Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance." When it comes to the solar system, Newton says, "The motions of the planets require a Divine Arm to impress them." On God, his Savior, we read: "The true God is a living, intelligent and powerful being." Newton wrote, in reference to the trials of life: "Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise physician gives because we need them; and he proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires. Let us trust His skill and thank Him for His prescription." About God's presence, he said: "His (God's) duration reaches from eternity to eternity; His presence from infinity to infinity." Finally, Newton wrote on the Bible: "I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily." The conclusion can only be that what Neil deGrasse Tyson meant as a thinly veiled condemnation of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is really a glorification of the Son of God he is denying.