My lovely daughter's Christmas gift to our family was an outing to see A Christmas Carol, the theatrical adaptation of the classic novella by Charles Dickens.
I am not sure I have ever seen it before.
The story brings together many substantial themes: economic inequality, the plight of poor children, joy, judgement, love of money, the meaning of Christmas, altruism, and redemption.
The Bible story it most reminded me was the story of Lazarus and the rich man that Jesus told.
Christmas is about Emmanuel: God with us. Jesus is God's great and generous gift to humanity. He reveals who God is and offers us free redemption. This generosity should inspire us to be generous, particularly to those less privileged than us.
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Friday, December 21, 2018
Saturday, December 24, 2016
A nice dialogue about Christmas faith
Nicholas Kristof is a journalist I admire, particularly for his concern about social justice issues. I recently posted about a nice book that he co-authored with his wife about poverty alleviation programs.
In the New York Times, Kristof has a nice dialogue with Tim Keller, entitled Pastor, Am I a Christian?
I like the questions discussed and the civil and mutually respectful tone of the back and forth.
In the New York Times, Kristof has a nice dialogue with Tim Keller, entitled Pastor, Am I a Christian?
I like the questions discussed and the civil and mutually respectful tone of the back and forth.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Some implications of Emmanuel
One puzzling and stunning concept that is central to Christmas is that of the incarnation (God becoming human). Emmanuel is "God is with us". In Jesus God identifies with our humanity, our hopes and joys, our struggles and suffering, our sin and brokenness, our frailty, ...
What does this mean for living as a follower of Jesus? It means we must identify with others in all their complexity, diversity, brokenness, and need.
I find particularly challenging the example of Servants to Asia's Urban Poor. The first of their 5 ministry principles is Incarnation.
What does this mean for living as a follower of Jesus? It means we must identify with others in all their complexity, diversity, brokenness, and need.
I find particularly challenging the example of Servants to Asia's Urban Poor. The first of their 5 ministry principles is Incarnation.
We intentionally live with the urban poor, learning from them, building genuine relationships, participating in their lives and struggles, learning their language and their culture, and working out how Jesus’ love can best be shown in their context.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Monday, December 24, 2012
A scientist reflects on Christmas
The Apostles Creed contains a helpful summary of what I believe about Christmas. It begins:
Is it hard to believe in the miracles associated with the birth of Jesus Christ?
Was Jesus mother Mary really a virgin?
Was the baby conceived by the Holy Spirit rather than by a human father?
What is the real mystery of Christmas?
Why is Christmas a gift?
In the process of answering these questions I hope to engage you with several ideas.
First, Scientists don't have all the answers. We don't understand everything. There are mysteries in science that are as profound and as difficult to believe as those described in the Apostles Creed. Second, the great mystery of Christmas is the gift from God of Jesus. Emmanuel, God is with us.
So why do I say that scientists struggle to understand some things in science?
A great mystery is why does science work at all? I find it is truly amazing that using our brains we can discover the inner workings of atoms, what happened in the first three minutes of the universe, and the molecular basis of genetics. Furthermore, some of our scientific understanding of physics, chemistry, and biology is so reliable and powerful that we can produce amazing things like laptop computers, GPS, new drugs, and test-tube babies!?
In my field, theoretical physics, a big question, is why can mathematics be used with such success to describe physical laws?
Eugene Wigner received a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1963. Wigner also wrote a famous essay with the title, ``The unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics in the natural sciences". The concluding sentences are often quoted. Wigner says,
Before discussing the miracles and mystery of Christmas, I want to say a little more about some mysteries in science. I do this because it is common to dismiss out of hand Biblical miracles such as the virgin birth and the resurrection of Jesus, claiming that they are scientifically impossible. But is this really justified?
One thing we have learnt from modern science is that sometimes what we think ``makes sense" or what we may intuitively think is ``rational" or ``reasonable" can actually be false.
Quantum theory is one of my passions. I have a really fun job where everyday I get to use quantum theory to try to understand properties of new materials. When I went to university I thought if I understood quantum theory I would understand the meaning of life. Quantum theory is the most successful theory in all of science. It can explain properties of everything from atoms to DNA. It can predict the outcome of experiments to an accuracy of 10 decimal places. It is like if I had a computer program which could tell me what a strangers credit card numbers are. This resounding success shows that scientific truth is not just a matter of personal opinion.
However, you should not think everything in science is certain. Quantum theory raises as many questions as it answers. In spite of the success of the theory, there is no consensus on its interpretation. There more than ten different interpretations of quantum theory. These interpretations are so different that they do not even agree on how many universes there are, nor whether external reality even exists! So we have both certainty and ambiguity in science.
My wife, Robin, does not share my passion for quantum physics. Yet Robin does like Schrodingers cat! This cat is a logical outcome of the most successful theory in all of science. The cat is in a quantum state such that the cat is dead and alive at the same time. It is not one or the other. It will only be definitely one or the other is you look to see which one it is. So looks can kill!
If you are confused and think this doesn't make sense then you have got the point. If you think you understand it then you don't! This confusion should humble us. Science does not have all the answers.
Given that science involves such strange ideas it is not hard for me to believe in the miracles in the Bible such as the virgin birth. At UQ I am not the only other scientist who believes this. Indeed, each week I meet with several other science professors to read the Bible and pray together.
So what is the significance of the miracles of Christmas?
They actually point to the mystery of Christmas.
In the Old Testament book of Isaiah there was a prophecy
Well we all crave empathy for our situation and life experiences. When we have strong life experiences, both good and bad, we love it when another person can come along side us and relate to our experience.
God loves us so much that he wants to completely identify with us; to show perfect empathy with our frail humanity. God is saying, "I am with you. I am there for you. I understand. I have been through this to."
Furthermore, God took the initiative. We did not take the initiative. That is why Jesus was conceived not by a man, but by God.
So God became a human.
Jesus was truly human and truly God.
But how can this be?
This is the real mystery of Christmas. It is a paradox that I don't claim to completely understand. But just as I can accept quantum physics as true, I can accept this tension, that Jesus was fully human and fully God.
But understanding the miracles and mystery of Christmas cannot be separated from the miracle and mystery of Easter.
The baby became a man, Jesus Christ, who taught us who God is and how we can live in relationship to God. Jesus died on the cross to take away the penalty we deserve for our disobedience towards God. How are we disobedient? We ignore God. We do what we want.
Jesus death conquered sin. He rose from the dead to show his power over death and to enable us to rise from the dead to eternal life.
Returning to the Apostle's Creed which summarises this:
``The miracle of Christmas, of the Immanuel
[God being with us] for our salvation is a wonderful gift
which we neither understand nor deserve.''
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord:Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,Wow! That sounds strange. Can a scientist really believe that?
Is it hard to believe in the miracles associated with the birth of Jesus Christ?
Was Jesus mother Mary really a virgin?
Was the baby conceived by the Holy Spirit rather than by a human father?
What is the real mystery of Christmas?
Why is Christmas a gift?
In the process of answering these questions I hope to engage you with several ideas.
First, Scientists don't have all the answers. We don't understand everything. There are mysteries in science that are as profound and as difficult to believe as those described in the Apostles Creed. Second, the great mystery of Christmas is the gift from God of Jesus. Emmanuel, God is with us.
So why do I say that scientists struggle to understand some things in science?
A great mystery is why does science work at all? I find it is truly amazing that using our brains we can discover the inner workings of atoms, what happened in the first three minutes of the universe, and the molecular basis of genetics. Furthermore, some of our scientific understanding of physics, chemistry, and biology is so reliable and powerful that we can produce amazing things like laptop computers, GPS, new drugs, and test-tube babies!?
In my field, theoretical physics, a big question, is why can mathematics be used with such success to describe physical laws?
Eugene Wigner received a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1963. Wigner also wrote a famous essay with the title, ``The unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics in the natural sciences". The concluding sentences are often quoted. Wigner says,
It is a miracle that mathematics can be used to describe the laws of physics. This is a wonderful gift which we neither understand nor deserve.Note Wigner uses the words miracle and gift.
Before discussing the miracles and mystery of Christmas, I want to say a little more about some mysteries in science. I do this because it is common to dismiss out of hand Biblical miracles such as the virgin birth and the resurrection of Jesus, claiming that they are scientifically impossible. But is this really justified?
One thing we have learnt from modern science is that sometimes what we think ``makes sense" or what we may intuitively think is ``rational" or ``reasonable" can actually be false.
Quantum theory is one of my passions. I have a really fun job where everyday I get to use quantum theory to try to understand properties of new materials. When I went to university I thought if I understood quantum theory I would understand the meaning of life. Quantum theory is the most successful theory in all of science. It can explain properties of everything from atoms to DNA. It can predict the outcome of experiments to an accuracy of 10 decimal places. It is like if I had a computer program which could tell me what a strangers credit card numbers are. This resounding success shows that scientific truth is not just a matter of personal opinion.
However, you should not think everything in science is certain. Quantum theory raises as many questions as it answers. In spite of the success of the theory, there is no consensus on its interpretation. There more than ten different interpretations of quantum theory. These interpretations are so different that they do not even agree on how many universes there are, nor whether external reality even exists! So we have both certainty and ambiguity in science.
My wife, Robin, does not share my passion for quantum physics. Yet Robin does like Schrodingers cat! This cat is a logical outcome of the most successful theory in all of science. The cat is in a quantum state such that the cat is dead and alive at the same time. It is not one or the other. It will only be definitely one or the other is you look to see which one it is. So looks can kill!
If you are confused and think this doesn't make sense then you have got the point. If you think you understand it then you don't! This confusion should humble us. Science does not have all the answers.
Given that science involves such strange ideas it is not hard for me to believe in the miracles in the Bible such as the virgin birth. At UQ I am not the only other scientist who believes this. Indeed, each week I meet with several other science professors to read the Bible and pray together.
So what is the significance of the miracles of Christmas?
They actually point to the mystery of Christmas.
In the Old Testament book of Isaiah there was a prophecy
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel [God is with us]
Isaiah 7:14What is the meaning and significance of God being with us?
Well we all crave empathy for our situation and life experiences. When we have strong life experiences, both good and bad, we love it when another person can come along side us and relate to our experience.
God loves us so much that he wants to completely identify with us; to show perfect empathy with our frail humanity. God is saying, "I am with you. I am there for you. I understand. I have been through this to."
Furthermore, God took the initiative. We did not take the initiative. That is why Jesus was conceived not by a man, but by God.
So God became a human.
Jesus was truly human and truly God.
But how can this be?
This is the real mystery of Christmas. It is a paradox that I don't claim to completely understand. But just as I can accept quantum physics as true, I can accept this tension, that Jesus was fully human and fully God.
But understanding the miracles and mystery of Christmas cannot be separated from the miracle and mystery of Easter.
The baby became a man, Jesus Christ, who taught us who God is and how we can live in relationship to God. Jesus died on the cross to take away the penalty we deserve for our disobedience towards God. How are we disobedient? We ignore God. We do what we want.
Jesus death conquered sin. He rose from the dead to show his power over death and to enable us to rise from the dead to eternal life.
Returning to the Apostle's Creed which summarises this:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,To end I want to rephrase the quote I gave earlier from the theoretical physicist Wigner,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
``The miracle of Christmas, of the Immanuel
[God being with us] for our salvation is a wonderful gift
which we neither understand nor deserve.''
Friday, January 6, 2012
Living water
My darling wife brought this excellent video from the Advent Conspiracy to my attention. The Christmas season is over but the message is still relevant!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Christmas gifts that are remembered
My family and I really like, use, and recommend the Really Useful Gift Catalogue.
TEAR's Useful Gifts - Goats from TEAR Australia on Vimeo.
TEAR's Useful Gifts - Goats from TEAR Australia on Vimeo.
Friday, December 31, 2010
The paradox of the King of Peace
The baby that was born in the manger was not exactly what the Jews must have been expecting their Saviour to be.
There was a good sermon at church on sunday about Isaiah 9
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
Jesus was not quite the Saviour that might be expected from this passage. A baby born in a stable in an obscure part of the Roman empire. In that context a Governor who brings peace would be the Pax Romana - a political "peace" that was brought by violence and fear. Wikipedia states:
Romans regarded peace not as an absence of war, but the rare situation that existed when all opponents had been beaten down beyond the ability to resist.[3]
There was a good sermon at church on sunday about Isaiah 9
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
Jesus was not quite the Saviour that might be expected from this passage. A baby born in a stable in an obscure part of the Roman empire. In that context a Governor who brings peace would be the Pax Romana - a political "peace" that was brought by violence and fear. Wikipedia states:
Romans regarded peace not as an absence of war, but the rare situation that existed when all opponents had been beaten down beyond the ability to resist.[3]
Saturday, December 25, 2010
An American Christmas icon
Last night my family followed an American Christmas tradition and watched the iconic movie It's a Wonderful Life. It is a "feel good" movie about the value of one life and how we can be a much greater blessing to people than we realise. It also highlights the personal cost to one man of standing for justice in a community.
It is interesting to see how banks, debt, and mortgages figured heavily in American life in the first half of the twentieth century, as they do this Christmas.
There is an interesting post about the movie on the Desiring God website. [My wife brought it to my attention]. As long as you don't use the movie to define your theology, your concept of heaven, or your notion of what Christmas is all about, then it is good harmless fun. But is such a separation really possible?
It is interesting to see how banks, debt, and mortgages figured heavily in American life in the first half of the twentieth century, as they do this Christmas.
There is an interesting post about the movie on the Desiring God website. [My wife brought it to my attention]. As long as you don't use the movie to define your theology, your concept of heaven, or your notion of what Christmas is all about, then it is good harmless fun. But is such a separation really possible?
Friday, December 10, 2010
A fun Christmas movie
Last night my family watched A Christmas in Connecticut, a light hearted movie from 1944. It is good harmless fun. A trivial aside is that when Barbara Stanwyck made the movie she was the highest paid woman in the USA.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Who belongs in church?
Yesterday, in Seattle, my brother-in law and sister-in-law took my family to a performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by the Attic Theatre. It was not only entertaining and amusing but had a strong message of grace that Christmas (and church) is for everyone, regardless of their history or background.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The physics of Santa Claus
The mystery of Christmas
We should be wary of separating form and content. The miracle of Christmas is that Jesus was "conceived by the Holy Spirit" and "born of the virgin Mary". This is the form. The content is the mystery of Christmas: the incarnation, "the unio hypostatica, the genuine unity of the true God and the true man in the one Jesus Christ."
These are the main ideas I got from re-reading the chapter, The Mystery and the Miracle of Christmas, in Dogmatics in Outline, by Karl Barth.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Just Christmas gifts
If like me you are affluent and have affluent relatives who need little and it is hard to buy gifts for them, here is an idea: the TEAR Christmas gift catalogue.
Basically, on behalf of the gift recipient you can select from a range of things for more needy people in the two-thirds world. Gifts range from $5 to $5,000. Examples include school supplies ($5), a goat ($50), clean drinking water ($20), ......
Gifts are tax-deductible too!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The miracle and mystery of Christmas
Tomorrow night I am giving a talk, A Scientist ponders the Miracle and Mystery of Christmas at a Christmas Gingerbread House making event organised by my church. Here is a copy of the current version of the talk. I may try to simplify it. Any suggestions welcome.
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