“Follow the science.” That seems to be a mantra in our world today. Science has all the answers.

I remember back in the 70s the scientific community told us we would run out of gas and an ice age was coming. Back then, Ecologist Kenneth Watt declared, “By the year 2000, if present trends continue, we will be using up crude oil at such a rate…that there won’t be any more crude oil. You’ll drive up to the pump and say, `Fill ‘er up, buddy,’ and he’ll say, `I am very sorry, there isn’t any.’” (Yes, back then someone filled the tank for you, checked your oil and washed your windshield. But I digress.)

Mr. Watt also made this prediction: “The world has been chilling sharply for about twenty years,” he declared. “If present trends continue, the world will be about four degrees colder for the global mean temperature in 1990, but eleven degrees colder in the year 2000. This is about twice what it would take to put us into an ice age.” Both of those predictions were made around the time of the first Earth Day in 1970.

In recent years, the scientific community has been warning us of global warming. And we keep discovering more and more oil reserves that the government won’t let us access.

When Covid hit, we were told masks would not help. Oh, wait, yes they will … Everyone must wear them. At the same time, multiple studies have determined that surgical masks do nothing to reduce the transmission of Covid or other viruses.

And what about those Covid-19 vaccines? We still hear ads telling us of the need to get yet another booster, that vaccines will lessen the intensity of Covid-19 if you still get it after being vaccinated. Some studies say it is effective, but other independent research says that the vaccines are ineffective.

Follow the science? How? There are conflicting reports and “Science” is constantly changing! The confusion should not be surprising. We live in a fallen world, a world in a state of decay, which will eventually wear out. Scientists use the empirical method to draw conclusions, but we have seen that the evidence changes over time. While science has made invaluable contributions for the betterment of our world, it is not infallible.

Let me suggest something better. Follow the star. The star of Bethlehem. That is what some Magi, who could be classified as scientists, did a long time ago.

Matthew 2:1–2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

They knew something was up. They followed the star to the real Star of Bethlehem. They used the empirical method, too, going to see this newborn king for themselves. His name is Jesus. And when they found Him, they worshipped Him and presented gifts to the King.

Matthew 2:10–12 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

You can follow Him knowing He does not change. Sure, there are those who have tried to change the message by adding to it or subtracting from it, but we can go back to the source, the Bible, and read it for ourselves. God’s love incarnate, born as one of us to take the punishment our sins deserve and conquer death for us as well. The one born “King of the Jews” is the Savior of all people. That does not change. It is a gift God offers and gives freely to any who will take Him at His Word and believe.

Follow the star.