What Does Psalm 8 Teach Us About Man's Significance in Creation According to Lloyd-Jones?

How does the 8th Psalm reveal the Christian's view of the universe?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Psalm 8 shows that the Christian doesn't merely glance at creation superficially but "considers" it deeply. When the psalmist says "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers," he's demonstrating profound contemplation that leads to seeing God as the Creator behind the universe. Unlike the non-Christian who might view the universe as accidental, the Christian sees design, purpose, and divine fingerprints in creation. Lloyd-Jones argues that the Christian worldview recognizes the universe's perfection and precision as evidence of God's mind and planning rather than mere chance.

What is the fundamental difference between Christian and non-Christian thinking according to Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that "the great division in the world tonight is between those who think superficially, if they think at all, and those who think deeply." He argues that non-Christians merely react to events superficially without considering their deeper meaning, while Christians truly consider and examine things thoroughly. The non-Christian, according to Lloyd-Jones, "doesn't consider. He sees, he observes, he reacts superficially. Then he forgets all about it." In contrast, the Christian follows implications to their conclusions and sees beyond the surface to the spiritual realities behind events.

How did Dr. Lloyd-Jones use the moon landing as an example in his sermon?

Lloyd-Jones used the 1969 moon landing (when "two men literally walking on the surface of the moon") as a practical example to illustrate different ways of thinking. While the world briefly celebrated this achievement before moving to the next excitement, Lloyd-Jones suggests that Christians should consider deeper questions: What does this reveal about mankind's uniqueness? What explains the contradiction between man's technological brilliance yet moral failures? He points out how quickly the newspapers placed this momentous achievement alongside trivial political gossip, showing humanity's inability to properly weigh significance.

What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the contradiction of mankind?

Lloyd-Jones identifies mankind as "the most contradictory being in the universe." He points out that humans can achieve incredible technological feats (like landing on the moon) while simultaneously failing at basic moral and relational tasks. In his words: "Self discipline in scientific achievement. Is there self discipline in the married relationship?" He notes that man can be both amazingly successful and an "abysmal failure," brilliant yet morally confused—capable of walking on the moon but incapable of living peacefully with neighbors or maintaining social order. This contradiction demonstrates mankind's fallen condition.

How does Lloyd-Jones explain the only hope for mankind?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the only hope for mankind is found in the psalmist's words: "What is man that thou art mindful of him...that thou visited him." The hope is that God has not abandoned His creation but remains concerned and has implemented a plan of redemption. Lloyd-Jones describes this using the metaphor of "launchings"—God launched His Son from heaven to earth through the incarnation, then launched Him from the grave through resurrection, and will launch Him again in His second coming. Salvation comes through "entering the capsule" of Christ by faith, finding safety in Him against the judgment to come.

What analogy does Lloyd-Jones use to explain salvation at the end of his sermon?

In the sermon's conclusion, Lloyd-Jones uses the analogy of space travel and "launching" to explain salvation. Just as astronauts needed a well-prepared capsule to survive their journey to the moon, humans need spiritual preparation for their inevitable "launching" at death. He points out two critical differences: humans get only one chance (no experimental failures allowed), and we don't know when our launching will occur. The solution is entering the "capsule" of Jesus Christ by faith: "You enter into him, you believe on him, and by believing on him, you are in Christ." In Christ, believers are safe from judgment and condemnation.

How does Lloyd-Jones describe man's place in creation according to Psalm 8?

Lloyd-Jones describes man as "the most unique being in the whole cosmos" based on Psalm 8's teaching that God made man "a little lower than the angels" and crowned him "with glory and honor." Despite feeling small when looking at vast cosmic distances, mankind is actually greater than the entire universe—created in God's image with reason, understanding, and dominion over creation. Lloyd-Jones boldly asserts that Earth is the most important planet in the cosmos specifically because man dwells on it, noting that this is the planet into which "the Son of God came."

How did Lloyd-Jones respond to the claim that Christianity opposes scientific development?

Lloyd-Jones directly addresses the accusation that Christianity has historically opposed science. Using the example of Galileo's persecution, he clarifies that it was not biblical Christianity but the Roman Catholic Church's attachment to Greek philosophy (specifically Aristotle) that caused opposition to scientific discoveries. He argues that the Protestant Reformation actually liberated minds from philosophical shackles and encouraged scientific investigation. Lloyd-Jones notes that the Royal Society, Britain's premier scientific organization, came into being "almost entirely as the result of the Puritan era," demonstrating that true Christianity has historically stimulated scientific development.