Published by A non-believing acquaintance of mine recently asked me why a good God would create so many outright horrors in the natural kingdom. In particular he pointed out to me the Ichneumonoid Wasp. If you are unfamiliar with this wasp it is from the family Ichneumonoidea. It’s most compelling feature is that it is parasitic, in that it seeks out other creatures, usually caterpillars or spiders, and lays its eggs inside the other creatures bodies. The larvae when they hatch will then consume the creature as food. In the case of the Ichneumonoid Wasp, the larvae do not kill the host outright, instead eating the fat and lesser organs first, keeping the creature alive until the last possible moment. The it emerges leaving only an empty husk behind.
Such is the stuff nightmares are made of (or low-budget horror flicks).
The argument is – If God is so good why would He make such a creature, so cruel, so lacking in compassion, so grotesque?
The Parable
The Ichneumonoid Wasp is a physical parable here to teach us.
Scripture says – “…that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.“–Romans 1:19-20
The Ichneumonoid Wasp is a perfect representation of the natural man. A creature by itself and outside of the peaceful harmony God had intended. Machine-like self-assertion, above all else. The pursuit of self-will, no thought of others except as objects to be used. Death to the competition. The only harmony, the stillness of death and loss.
The pursuit of selfish goals being our only concern.
So? What is OUR real problem with the Ichneumonoid Wasp? I’ll tell you what it is. Ethics free efficiency.
Image via Wikipedia
The Law of Good
“…I will put my laws into their minds, and write them in their hearts.” Hebrews 8:10
Ethics, morals, goodness, virtue, all these things are apparently in direct violation of universal law as we know it. Lessons of conduct that fly in the face of the tenets of the natural world.
Discipline, restraining the ego of self, learning how to let go of self-will for higher pursuits.
The Ichneumonoid Wasp doesn’t know what the term “good Samaritan” means.
Helping others in need. The concept of self-sacrifice.
Laws, morals, ethics, virtue, are the antithesis of natural evolution.
Now is it clear when Scripture says – “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.“
How many people, how many families, do you know who behave like the Ichneumonoid Wasp in their daily lives, at work, or at play?
That’s why it bothers and behooves us.
That’s why we approach it with horror.
It violates the laws that God has written in our hearts and minds.
It’s the mirror in which we see ourselves.
But those same ethics, it could be argued, have been impressed upon us by society. Good article Stephen.
Society may try to teach us these ethics, but only in a “Do as I say and not as I do” way. In the business world, I know a few business owners who are Christians but operate their businesses in what they will rationalize is the only way to stay afloat in the business world.
Even families will often teach their children ethics this way. One of my father’s favourite phrases was “Do as I say and not as I do” – we seem to think that children need to behave this way, but in the adult world we are no longer subject to the morals we teach our children. I know that it is difficult for us to model what we want our children to learn, but it is something we need to take seriously. Our children watch more than they listen. I am far from a perfect parent, but this is the goal that I strive for.
I always love reading your work! You make me look at certain things from a different perspective and I like that about your work. Keep it up!
restricted material on stumble though???
oops wrong box
problem with IE
“…I will put my laws into their minds, and write them in their hearts.” Hebrews 8:10
=
remove restricted stuff
An excellent treatment of a difficult question. It’s amazing what God can show us if we only open our eyes. The last line is indeed frightening, and brings this to mind: “There, but for the grace of God, go I”.