That God created the universe, and also mankind as one of His creatures therein, is patently obvious and is therefore taken as stipulated for the purpose of this essay.
From there, speculation and inquiry may go in many different directions. For example, how? Why? What next? However, I am curious about one very specific question, which needs as a prelude some rudimentary understanding of physiology and the mechanical construction of our human bodies.
We have many distinct organs within us that each perform one or more functions in the life process. Some of these functions overlap, and all are necessary and vital to a greater or lesser degree. A few seem redundant, such as having two kidneys when one is apparently sufficient. Nevertheless, there is no doubt but that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
So, what is the true, original function of the appendix? God is not frivolous, and nothing in His creation is utterly superfluous or without purpose. Just because the appendix has no current use that we can determine, does not mean that it never had such. When we receive our new, perfect bodies at the return of Lord Jesus, will the appendix function once more? Perhaps, somehow, toward maintaining our immortality?
Free radicals destroy mitochondrial DNA, which is a major contributing factor in aging and, ultimately, death. What if the appendix is supposed to be a filter for free radicals in the same way the liver is a filter for bile and the kidneys are filters for urine? Alternatively, suppose the appendix is a gland which is designed to produce a slurry of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids and other rejuvenating compounds. Or, perhaps the appendix is our biological laboratory that processes the unique and miraculous enzymes found only in the fruit of the Tree of Life, maybe converting them to telomerase and enabling our cells to continue reproducing themselves indefinitely.
Admittedly, there are a lot of ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ in there. Still, faith is the substance of things not seen, according to the apostle Paul. God does not discourage questions. We must simply make sure our theories about the answers do not contradict what we already know from His Holy Word.
So then, what is your burning question for God?
Anthony Vaughan #308-236
LeCI
P.O. Box 56
Lebanon Ohio 45036
