We should expect to find evidence of a Creator built into the creation
The Creator Would be and Is Self-Revealing:
Deus ex operibus cognoscitur
The Creator of the universe would have a reason for what He did. An entity (being, or creator) powerful enough and intelligent enough to create the entire universe would be expected to act in a manner that is consistent with being ultimately intelligent and ultimately powerful. This Creator is infinite in knowledge and power. It would be consistent for such a being to be infinite in purpose, control, and communication. Such a being could not be arbitrary, random, or capricious.
We should anticipate the infinite purposefulness of this Being, like all the other characteristics of the Creator, would be revealed in everything this Being does. The purpose for creating the universe would be “written” in that creation. The character of the Creator would be “written” throughout that creation.
Since this Creator is not arbitrary, random, or capricious, and has infinite communication and knowledge, we can reasonably assume that same Creator would want His creation to know at least three things:
That He is (exists) and His claim to be the Creator is clear.
His purpose in creating.
Our purpose as the created.
Therefore, we should expect to find evidence of a Creator built into the creation. That evidence should also be descriptive, though in a limited manner. We should expect revelation from the Creator revealing that He exits, that He created, and what our purpose is.
The development and presentation of this argument using logic and reason is one of those built-in evidences. It is one type of self-revelation of the Creator built into His work. This is one of the multitude of evidences that is identified as General Revelation. General revelation is obtainable, understandable, and actionable. But it is limited in what we can know from it about the Creator. This limitation, by the way, was and is purposeful. Not because the Creator was unable to fully reveal Himself. Because He chose to limit the amount of revelation contained in His creation.
Michelangelo / Public domain
Because of the character of the Creator, we should also predict the existence of Special revelation that is obtainable, clear, understandable, and actionable. The Creator would ensure the Creation received the complete and full revelation intended. Special revelation will contain not just more revelation. It will contain complete revelation. Everything the Creator wants the created to know will be understandable, obtainable, clear, and actionable. Unlike General Revelation, Special revelation is unmistakably clear to the creation. The Creator reveals unambiguously, and makes claims and statements that are comprehensible and understandable. The Bible contains clear claims and statements that it is one part of that Special Revelation. But, imagine if that same Creator could take on the form of one of the beings in the creation, walk and talk and live among them to tell them about Himself. That would be a very clear, comprehensible, and understandable self-revelation.
In our case, Special Revelation is complete in its fullest form. This revelation makes clear and specific claims about what it is, about the Creation, and about the Creator.
The eye-witness accounts of a historical person who made the claims to be this person, performed acts to demonstrate his claims, and completed an ultimate proof of his claim are forensic self-revelation. In fact, they are the ultimate proof.
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.
I went to the doctor today. Just a routine yearly type of thing. Except for having to wear a mask.
Unlike other visits in the past, today I was greeted by a person in a mask. In front of her was a table with a box of masks and other items, and she greeted me with an infrared thermometer. Her mouth and nose covered by the mask, she stopped me, informed me of the need to be “screened”, and began. She pointed the temperature checking device at my forehead and began a barrage of questions. It was nothing short of an interrogation.
No, no fever, aches, pains, difficulty breathing, cough, chills.
No, no known contact with anyone who had those symptoms.
No, I have not traveled outside the country (or much less outside the county) in the past 30 days.
I was handed a mask and told to “please put this on”. Although it sounded like a request, I realized it was something more. Not wanting to be a problem, I complied with the masking as I had to the interrogation. After all, it’s only for the common good, right? And, it was required for admission.
So far so good. Once inside however, the isolation initiated at the door began to grow. In the very large waiting room were three patients who had arrived before me. Sitting as far apart as possible in the cavernous area it was clear I had joined some real champions in the social distancing game. This game was enhanced, though, by wearing masks. All of us were dutifully wearing masks.
But, I noticed something else. We were all avoiding eye contact.
And, that’s when it hit me…
The receptionist, wearing a mask, didn’t look at me, but stated she would be glad to check me in. I was once again challenged with questions about my COVID-19 status. Most of the same questions I had just answered before being allowed to enter. It didn’t matter. I submissively answered each one. Both the receptionist and I were very careful to not exchange any items that may transfer contagion and she told me I could go sit and wait. I would be called when they were ready for me.
As I sat waiting the sense of isolation grew. I had carefully chosen a seat as far as possible from all the other isolationists, and immersed myself in reading. Carefully glancing at the others in the room, it was clear: None of the other interlopers would look at the other. We were good, or wanted to be good, at this game of doing everything necessary to keep us safe. We all wanted to win this contest of being allowed to be out in public but not cause spread of the dreaded disease of COVID19.
But, we lost our humanity in the process. Not only were we not able to look at the other scared-yet-compliant humans in the room, we were afraid that if we did, we might get ejected from the game.
The door across the expanse of the room opened and a voice called out. Nope, not me. One by one, the other interlopers were retrieved from purgatory. Others came, checked in, and were called. Finally, the door opened and the person quietly, almost imperceptivity called my last name. I quickly stood and was acknowledge by the attendant. She politely asked about my health. At least, I think she did. Sometimes a mask can make it difficult to understand what the person is saying. Particularly if you have some hearing loss and have become dependent on partial lip-reading to communicate with others. I tried to follow her to the exam room. But, I couldn’t quit thinking if I was too close. Or, too far. If I’m shopping at the hardware store, they’ve graciously placed markers every six feet so I know how far away I’m supposed to be. But, this was different. Should I stay six feet away from the person I’m following down an unfamiliar hallway who is guiding me to a place that without their help I have no idea how to find? If I stay six feet back, will she think I’m not following? How close is too close, and how far is too far? This new game has some undefined rules. What happens if I get them wrong? Can I still be accountable for doing the wrong thing when I’m not sure what the right thing is?
Like the rest of us, the doctor was masked. He usually isn’t. Normally he is very social and looks me in the eye. He loves to bring me up to date on common acquaintances, or talk about something he knows I’ll enjoy conversing on. Today, he seemed tired and stared often into other parts of the room. Very little eye contact and the conversation was limited to what was necessary to complete the visit and allow me back out into the world.
After checking out, my next appointed visit was the local member’s only box store. Their new policy required all visitors to wear masks. Fortunately, I had two. The one my wife made from cloth pieces she had, and the paper mask from my doctor’s visit. Thinking I may as well use the paper mask and then throw it away, I put it on and headed for the entrance.
I didn’t want to wear a mask. Research simply confirmed what my training taught. Cloth masks are ineffective at preventing me from catching the virus. Paper masks aren’t much better. They had some effect for an already infected person at slowing down how much virus was spread. But, it was not useful for those of us who were uninfected. Many of the “sports masks” I saw others wearing were even less useful. Their foam filters were designed for large particulates. Things the size of dust and dirt. Viruses are tiny and go right through. But, the requirement was a mask. And, as compliant and needy shoppers, we put on whatever we had. It made us feel good to at least comply. Unfortunately, the store policy forgot to note the mask needed to be effective. Or, they didn’t care. Perhaps effectiveness in disease prevention wasn’t what was motivating the store policy.
With only the choices of wearing a mask and being allowed “in” or not wearing a mask and being excluded, I donned the mask and went in. Even though I was allowed entrance, I was still excluded. The same isolation set in. First, you had to negotiate a maze to get in. The store had set up shopping carts to create a zigzag entrance path, and placed markers every six feet. At the end of the barricade was an employee, behind the double shield of a plexiglass barrier and a mask, to check my membership status. I waved the membership card from a distance of six feet, and the employee waved me in. They really couldn’t see if my membership card was real or not. It was a distant formality.
Once inside, the isolation continued. My fellow shoppers are all avoiding one another. Closer than six feet and eye contact seemed to both be forbidden. Don’t look. Don’t speak. Stay away. I found what I had come for and checked out – using the self-checkout system – loaded my car and headed home.
No. I did not wear a mask in my car. I took it off as soon as I was far enough into the parking lot that no one could possibly care. When I got home, my wife, not wearing a mask, looked me in the eye and asked how things had gone at the doctor’s and the store. It was good to see her face.
I am a researcher in the topic of unintended consequences. Our Government and culture’s response to the COVID-19 event is filled with research opportunities. This is one of many. While many of my acquaintances and even colleagues call for compliance and masks, I wonder how many are able to perceive the unintended consequences of those choices.
Why Six Days? 
