Carl Linnaeus: Father of Classification
You may not know who Carolus Linnaeus is, but his life work can remind us that the way to find God is through the name of Jesus.
Born in May 1707, many consider Linnaeus the originator of modern scientific classification of plants and animals. He’s often referred to as the “father of classification”. Linnaeus studied botany and medicine and taught both. The first to lay down principles for defining genera and the species of organisms, Linnaeus also developed a uniform system for naming them.
In May 1753, he published the first edition of his two-volume Species Plantarum. Five years later, his tenth edition of Systema Naturae applied this system to animals as well. These two works are considered the foundation of binomial nomenclature. Linnaeus classified 4,400 species of animals and 7,700 species of plants.
After God formed all the birds and animals from the ground, he gave the first man, Adam, the privilege of picking names for them (Genesis 2:19). God brought them to Adam and let him choose a name for each one. Adam even got to pick a name for his wife (Genesis 3:20).
We get to name our children and pets. Some people choose nicknames for their spouses and even name their cars. But we don’t get to pick the name of our Savior. When Peter and John were arrested for preaching and were questioned by the Sanhedrin, Peter declared that there is salvation in no name except that of Jesus of Nazareth.
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
In our diverse society, people want to name their own method of getting to know God. They may call a person, a group, or some philosophy their savior. But salvation from sin comes only from faith in the name that was already chosen before the world was created.
© Dianne Neal Matthews (www.DianneNealMatthews.com). Dianne is a freelance writer and the author of four daily devotional books. This article is adapted from her book, The One Year on This Day (Tyndale House).
May this lovely song remind you of the blessed name of Jesus! Bless Your Name (Acoustic Sneak Peek) by John Tibbs @johntibbsmusic
You can also find the John Tibbs Origins CD and singles on iTunes.
