Through the Lens: God’s Tiny Wonders

What Is a Microscope?

A microscope is a complex magnifying glass that allows us to look at very small objects. The word microscope comes from two Greek words, mikros (small) and skopein (to look at). Microscopes allow us to study plant cells, insect anatomy, single-celled creatures, and so much more.

Who Discovered God’s Tiny Wonders?

In the seventeenth century, a Christian Dutch scientist named Leeuwenhoek successfully hand-ground glass into a tiny spherical lens. This single lens was fitted into one of the first microscopes. Leeuwenhoek became the first person to see bacteria, and he called this new discovery “animalcules.”

Leeuwenhoek studied creation to give glory to God. He stated,

We cannot in any better manner glorify the Lord and Creator of the universe than that in all things, how small soever they appear to our naked eyes, but which have yet received the gift of life and power of increase, we contemplate the display of his omnificence and perfections with the utmost admiration.1

God’s Amazing Design

Colossians 1:16 tells us, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.” God is the Creator of everything we can see with our eyes and the countless hidden details we cannot see. Through the microscope, we can see how God designed diatoms to move like army tanks, how plants have “fingerprints” in their stomatal patterns, and how animals can be identified by the design of their fur patterns.2

The Bible also tells in Psalm 139:13–14 that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” and describes us as “knit together.” The Hebrew word for knit is sâkak, which means entwined as a screen (or think of a woven basket). And this is exactly what we observe about the design of human tissue, tooth enamel, and the DNA code of life under magnification. Our entire human body is one beautifully knitted creation.

Are There Different Types of Microscopes?

Yes! The most common microscope is the light or compound microscope. This microscope uses light and multiple lenses to magnify things from 40x to 1000x bigger. With this type of microscope, you can observe your cheek cells, bacteria, and water bears. But to observe DNA or individual atoms, you need a high-powered microscope called an electron microscope. Electron microscopes allow scientists to magnify 100,000x!

Another type of microscope that is useful when dissecting creatures or studying fossils is called a stereoscope. Stereoscopes allow us to observe specimens in three dimensions.

However, unlike the high magnification possible with a microscope, a stereoscope can only enlarge objects 7x to 50x.

Declaring God’s Glory

For thousands of years, God’s tiny wonders were unknown to the world. The invention of microscopes not only allowed scientists to discover new creatures but also allows doctors to study disease and develop new treatments. It allows forensic scientists to solve crimes using tiny clues. Under the microscope, all things reflect order and complexity. This is only possible because an orderly God created an orderly universe. The microscopic world declares his glory!

Parents, are you looking for new ways to engage your children in the sciences? Then check out the Explore (ages 11–18) and Explore Jr. (ages 5–10) programs at the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.3

Footnotes

1. S. Hoole, The Select Works of Antony van Leeuwenhoek, Containing His Microsopical Discoveries in Many of the Works of Nature, 2 vols. (London: G. Sidney, 1798).
2. With a parent’s help, you can read my article about the different types of hair and fur created kinds have: https://answersingenesis.org/biology/designed-distinctions-single-strand-hair/.
3. Parents, learn more about educational programs at the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter: https://creationmuseum.org/education/.