Learning the names of nature

I was sat on a black metal bench with one of the children at the camp. We were talking. Suddenly, some kind of flying insect crashed into my elbow. This thing had not asked for permission to land. Will it sting me? Will it bite me? Nope. So then…

What is it?

It wasn’t a ladybird, or dragon fly. It wasn’t a moth. It wasn’t a wasp or a bee. I knew I was quickly exhausting my archive of small flying friends. I dont know what this is. I have felt this sinking feeling before; being slightly embarrassed at not being able to name a common animal, or rock, or leaf or shrub, or Aunty. 

We came up with a solution. Google lens will know what this is. Within seconds we had pointed my phone in its direction and discovered it was a Mayfly. We also found out that Mayflys were around before the dinosaurs, that there are more than 3000 types of Mayfly in the world and one of their uses is that it only survives around clean water. If there are no Mayflys near the water by you, then you know it’s polluted!

Just by finding out the name of the Mayfly, we instantly became more curious about what it does, where it might live, how many there are and what its role is in nature. This tiny discovery kind of began to wake us up to a whole new world. The world of Mayfly.

In the first chapter of the first book of the Bible, God is busy talking. He speaks and water divides from land, light divides from darkness and everything in our world is made from scratch. Then he does an amazing thing. He asks Adam, the first human being, to name everything he has made.  

“Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.” Genesis 2:19-20 (msg)

In the Hebrew world, names meant more than just labels.

Firstly, a name often signifies the essence or destiny of a person or thing. For instance, the name “Adam” is derived from “adamah,” meaning ground or earth, reflecting his creation from the dust of the ground and his role as the one who tills the earth. Similarly, “Eve” (Chava in Hebrew) means “living” or “life-giver,” reflecting her role as the mother of all living things.

Names also indicate a relationship with God: Many Hebrew names, even those of natural elements, include elements of God’s name or attributes, indicating a relationship with Him. For example, the “cedars of Lebanon” (Erezim) are often associated with strength and majesty, qualities attributed to God. Another example is the “rock badger” (Shafan), mentioned in Proverbs 30:26, illustrating God’s provision and care for even the small and seemingly insignificant creatures. These names are like reminders of God’s presence and intervention in the natural world.

But it gets bigger. 

In the Bible every creature has a unique purpose and song of praise to God, and knowing their names helps us understand and join in this song together. I love reading what one of the Jewish Rabbis say about the book of Ecclesiastes 

“Every single blade of grass has a corresponding angel in Heaven that strikes it and tells it to grow” 

It’s like the stuff of earth is connected to the stuff of heaven. And each name is a chord played in both realms. Could you imagine if every twig, every bird and every cloud were like a chord in a song? Your name is part of that, and so is the Swallow, the Birch and the Great White. A cosmic symphony creating music beyond what we can imagine. So Adams task wasn’t merely about assigning labels; it was about recognising and understanding the intrinsic nature and destiny of each creature, participating in God’s creative work and stewardship of the whole world.

Science and the names of nature

So, who has this job now that we don’t have Adam and Eve to do it? For a long time, it has been science. Science has taken up the mantle of exploring, discovering, and naming the natural world, continuing the task that began with Adam and Eve. The process of scientific naming is also more than just assigning labels. Each name carries with it a wealth of information about the organism’s characteristics, relationships, and evolutionary history. For example, the scientific name for the Mayfly we discovered at camp, Ephemeroptera, hints at its ephemeral nature, as these insects live only for a short time. This naming system helps scientists communicate precisely about species, ensuring that everyone is speaking the same language when discussing biodiversity and conservation.

Also, the act of naming in science often leads to deeper curiosity and further discovery. When we identified the Mayfly, we not only learned its name but also discovered its ecological role and evolutionary history. This mirrors the biblical concept that knowing the name of something opens up a deeper understanding of its purpose and place in the world. Scientists today continue this tradition, using names as keys to unlock the mysteries of nature.

One fascinating aspect of naming things is how it connects us to the past and the future. Ancient scholars like Aristotle and Theophrastus began the work of classifying plants and animals, laying the groundwork for future discoveries. Today, with advanced tools like DNA sequencing, scientists uncover new species and reclassify old ones, constantly refining our understanding of the natural world. This process shows that the task of naming and understanding creation is ongoing, a continuous journey of discovery that we are all part of.

In the digital age, tools like Google Lens have democratized access to this knowledge, allowing anyone with a smartphone to identify and learn about the natural world around them. This technology bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern science, making it easier for us to fulfill the biblical mandate to know and care for creation.

Science, in taking up the mantle of naming and understanding nature, continues the sacred task given to Adam and Eve. It connects us to the divine through the intricate details of creation, helping us to see the world with wonder and respect. As we learn the names of clouds, plants, animals, insects, rocks, and sea creatures, we join in a tradition that spans millennia, participating in the stewardship and celebration of the natural world.

Learning the names of nature. Together.

So, how does all of this tie into our community at Ocean Church? The beauty of our faith calls us to be active participants in God’s creation. We aren’t spectators peering and commenting from the cheap seats. We aren’t consumers of it, only wanting to visit if there is something in it for us. The simple act of learning the names of nature is a way to honour that call to participate.

Imagine walking along the shore, the sound of the waves a gentle reminder of God’s majesty. You spot a bird diving into the ocean. Is it just a bird, or do you know it’s a common tern? Recognizing its name deepens your connection. You start to wonder about its journey and its place in God’s creation.

At Ocean Church, we’re blessed with a unique opportunity to be surrounded by the splendour of both land and sea. Learning and teaching the names of the species we encounter can foster a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world.

In our digital age, tools like Google Lens empower us to discover and learn. Encourage your household to use it on their walks, paddles, or even in your back garden. Learning names isn’t just about accumulating knowledge; it’s about fostering a relationship. It’s about seeing the divine fingerprint in the intricate details of a butterfly’s wings, the majestic flight of a hawk, or the steadfastness of an oak tree. It’s about joining in the cosmic symphony where every name is a note, every species a melody, and together we create a harmonious song of praise.

So, learning names isn’t a to-do list. It’s not about knowledge. It’s a sacrament. And a sacrament is what happens when something of earth touches something of heaven.