That’s the thought that indicts me as I thumb through my weekly issue of Nature. I would read more of these articles, especially in the research section, but I know I’m not qualified to understand them, much less to have anything worthwhile to say in response to them.

Science journals are like a modern musical score to me: I know there’s a melody here somewhere, and probably many interconnected themes and motifs. But I struggle to understand most of what I suppose to be the most basic terms and ideas. I’m tone-deaf to the song of science.

Or maybe the song of science, in its secular state, is too cacophonous to understand?

Still, I want to know what’s going on, to have at least some measure of insight into this fascinating and important arena. I want to know what the creation is singing, how the various parts of this grand composition relate to one another and to the whole, and what the creation can tell me about Him Who created and sustains the cosmos by His Word of power.

We’re on solid ground Biblically when we expect to learn about God from the creation. The Apostle John insisted that “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea” sings of the blessings, honor, glory, and might of God and Christ (Rev. 5:13). While I don’t expect ever to be able to understand all the intricate details of the various scientific disciplines, I would appreciate a bit more straightforward explanation as to what science reveals about the God I worship and serve.

I want in on the song of creation; is that too much to ask?

It is, doubtless, too much to ask of secular scientists, for obvious reasons. But what about Christians working in the sciences? I suppose that, in their research and daily work they can only go so far in extolling the glories of God on which their labors depend, and which they reveal.

But how about a few more words of clarification or instruction for the scientifically tone-deaf among us?

Like me.

The creation sings a song of grandeur (Hopkins), celebrating the Lord and calling us to join that song with a hearty “Amen!” and appropriate worship (Rev. 5:14). But if we can’t understand the music of that song, how will we ever gain the benefit of it, or be able to sing along with it?

We ought to rejoice and give thanks to God for those Christians working in the sciences who play in the orchestra or sing in the chorus of science, and who are trying to explain a few bars and motifs of the song of creation to the rest of us. Visit their websites; subscribe to their journals; buy their books; engage these people where you can. We need to support our brothers and sisters who are pursuing the work of science as a way of making the song of creation more audible and distinct amid the cacophony of worldviews vying for our attention.

Science is but one section of the great Christian orchestra and chorus, but it’s a very important section. All the disciplines of study and learning have something to teach us about the song of creation. All of them can help us learn to hum a few bars, pick out a consistent melody, or understand some of the words of creation in praise to our Creator and King.

So let us expect it of those our brethren whose callings are in the various fields of science, and in all other disciplines. And let us pray for, encourage, affirm, support, and celebrate them and their work for each new part of the song of creation we are able to learn through their labors.