Science is wonder-ful

 Many books have been written about science and Christianity. Many of them I don't like, find helpful or recommend. I do like some because they present a good understanding of both science and Christianity, and engage in a constructive dialogue between the two. Even then, many books rehash the same old topics and same old arguments about creation, evolution, big bang cosmology, free will, reliability of the Bible, ...

The introductory book that I recommend is A User's Guide to Science and Christian Belief, by Michael Poole. Unfortunately, it is now out of print.

Writing a new book that brings a fresh perspective to the subject is necessary but also daunting. I am very happy that David Hutchings and Tom McLeish have done this with Let There Be Science: Why God Loves Science, and Science Needs God. The book is at the basic/popular/introductory level and is very accessible, so some non-scientist friends tell me. This accessibility may have been aided by the experience of Hutchings as a high school physics teacher. I am not surprised that McLeish would be involved in producing such a wonderful book given that I loved his Faith and Wisdom in Science, which is at the advanced academic level.

The book has many strengths. It is clear, engaging, interesting, creative, original, invitational, and balanced. The authors succeed because they believe that science is a human endeavour. Indeed, science is wonderful because `doing science is a fundamental part of what it means to be human'. Hence it is natural to use stories.

Stories get us thinking about people – their motivations, hopes, or pain; their moments of inspiration or moments of disaster. Stories are how we best understand ourselves and our beliefs. Stories, as we shall see, can be key in the search for a bigger picture.  

Some of the main ideas that are developed are the following. 

Science is a way of thinking. 

 ... we will count something as true science if – and only if – we can show it meets three distinct criteria. First, there must be observation of something in nature. Second, there must be a discussion of a possible physical cause. Third, there should be some form of analysis or testing involved. This last requirement might be through planned experiment, physical interaction, or by further observation. 

Although the term "scientist" did not exist until the nineteenth century, "science" has been around for a long time. Isaac Newton did natural philosophy, which might be defined as "Loving wisdom about nature".  (Chapter 2)

It is remarkable that humans can do science at all. The universe is rational and we do have the capacity to understand it. Furthermore, this rationality is seen in our ability to make connections between phenomena that may appear to have no connection to one another. (Chapter 3)

There are parallels in the manner that people change their minds about scientific theories, about God, and about how they should live their life.  (Chapter 4)

Science does not always go smoothly. It can be a source of personal pain for the scientist. Nevertheless, they persevere because they have scientific hope. (Chapter 5)

 “Order consistently emerges from apparent chaos, even at the very deepest levels of our current understanding.’’ (Chapter 6)

 In both science and theology it is important to ask the right questions. (Chapter 7)

 Love is even more important! (Chapter 8)

 our science stories will intermingle with faith stories – the two are bound together far more tightly than some modern commentators might have us believe. The big pictures painted by the history, the people and the findings of science look very much like those that emerge from the pages of the Bible – and we will go on to find, in Chapters 9 and 10, that this connection might just be of universal significance. 

The stories are captivating and the authors beautifully weave together sets of apparently disparate stories into single stories with a profound point. For example, chapter 3 covers silk, the philosophical question of the existence of numbers, the axioms of Euclidean geometry, weaving looms, the shape of pomegranates, Charles Babbage and the first computer, error correction in computers, and the book of Job. What is the point of all this?

The Bible’s answer to the mathematical debate we began this journey with is simple but profound: the reason that we can know about numbers, despite their lack of physicality, is because God has put wisdom in our minds. Far from being opposed to reason, Christianity gives us the basis for believing two things that are absolutely crucial if good science is ever to be carried out: that we are reasonable beings, and that the world is a reasonable place.

The danger of unbridled email

5 So also email is a small activity, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And email is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The email is set among our communications, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame email. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same keyboard come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?

James 3 (slightly edited!)

I have no choice

"I have to take the demanding job because I have to keep paying my house mortgage."

"She had no choice but to put her mother in a nursing home."

"Due to the budget deficit the government has no option but to cut education spending".

"We have to stop terrorism. Australia had no choice. We had to join the USA in the Iraq war."

I often hear statements such as these on topics ranging from personal finances to government policies. I find them disappointing and at times irritating. We always have a choice. I certainly acknowledge that most important decisions are complex and made difficult by prior commitments, competing interests, and personal pressures. Yet I think claiming there is "no choice" is problematic for several reasons.

It can be an attempt, sometimes sub-conscious, to avoid responsibility and accountability.

It cuts off discussion and debate, particularly about pre-suppositions.

It undermines our humanity. One of the beautiful things about our creatureliness is that God has given us freedom. Our freedom reflects the freedom of God. Karl Barth writes beautifully about this. We exercise this freedom in our choices.

In the context of war and violence, Rowan Williams has a nice discussion of this issue in his book The Truce of God .

In praise of humble uncertainty

When faced with puzzling information, one of the most important statements a scientist can make is "I don't know." Similarly, one of the most important statements a theologian can make is "I don't know."

Sir John Houghton,  In the Eye of the Storm, page 85.

A distortion of vocational calling

My son and I are just finishing reading Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung. I thought the following paragraph in was quite insightful about work and careers.

Unfortunately, we’ve turned the idea of calling or vocation on its head. The Reformers emphasized calling in order to break down the sacred-secular divide. They said, if you are working for the glory of God, you are doing the Lord’s work, no matter whether you’re a priest or a monk or a banker. But we’ve taken this notion of calling and turned it upside down, so instead of finding purpose in every kind of work, we are madly looking for the one job that will fulfill our purpose in life. 

(p. 103)

The poverty of proverbs

The Old Testament book of Proverbs contains much wisdom about life: relationships, money, work, speech,...
It can provide comfort and inspiration as we strain to achieve our Western middle class goals and aspirations.
But, perhaps we skim too easily over verses such as the following.

The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice. 

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. 

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. 

It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. 

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. 

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. 

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. 

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. 

Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. 

Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, 

Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. 

Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Should I do this?

Ralph Winter was a distinguished missiologist who was responsible for a number of initiatives that arguably significantly changed the practices and policies of Western mission agencies (e.g a concern with unreached people groups). According to Wikipedia one of his favourite sayings was:

Never do anything others can do or will do, when there are things to be done that others can't do or won't

I DO have too much stuff

There is an interesting and challenging piece You probably have too much stuff in the Your Money section of the New York Times. It argues from a purely secular materialist point of view that people in the Western world are burdened by all the junk/possessions they accumulate and won't get rid of. They point out there is a purely financial cost to keeping all this stuff. Furthermore, it can take significant time and crowds out mental space...
For a Christian the imperative to "down size" and "travel light" should be even greater.

The wisdom and knowledge that matters

I am reading through 1 Kings which recounts the life of King Solomon. He was reknown for his great wisdom, learning, and knowledge. It is striking to me that the character of this quite different to what we associate with wisdom, learning, and knowledge today. It certainly does mention his knowledge of the natural world (1 Kings 4):

²⁹  And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore,³⁰ so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. ....  ³³ He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish.³⁴ And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.

But, Solomon's request to the LORD was:

⁹  Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

(1Kings 3:9) 

^{After he passed judgement concerning the two women claiming to be both the mother of a child:}

²⁸ And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.

In relation to the Queen of Sheba. "Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her."
(1 Kings 10:3).

^{Her response is noteworthy:}

⁹  Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.”


Knowledge of the natural world and traditional scholarship (philosophy, literature, history,...) is valuable. But, the real "wisdom" that matters to God is the justice and righteousness of God. This "wisdom" makes worldly wisdom look "foolish".

Proof texts for anti-intellectualism

In his book Think John Piper gives a detailed exegesis of two key passages that are often used to justify anti-intellectualism within Christianity

[Jesus said]
“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children"
Luke 10:21-24

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:20-24

Piper's conclusion is that the real issue here is attitude, it not intelligence versus "simplicity" but rather pride versus humility. Children represent humility and dependance. Wisdom here represents the arrogance of Greek wisdom/scholarship which exalted man. There are intelligent people who are humble and "simple" people who are proud. It is also not an issue of educated versus uneducated.

The question is who is exalted: God or man? A key part of hearing and believing the Gospel means being humble enough to acknowledge that one cannot save oneself. Only God can save us.

The top 5 regrets of the dying

The Guardian has an interesting article The top 5 regrets of the dying. Perhaps they are not surprising, but they are good reminders about some important things. I was also struck of the strong desire for forgiveness, again illustrating people have an innate sense of right and wrong.
I thank my wife for bringing the article to my attention.

Talk on leadership at home

This past saturday we had a men's breakfast at church, with a few short talks focusing on leadership: Philippians 2, Leadership at home, Leadership in the church. I gave the talk on Leadership at home, with an emphasis on a few practical things I have stumbled upon over the years. Here are my notes.

Wise or foolish?

1 Corinthians 1-2 is an important passage which discusses and contrasts the "wisdom of men" to the "wisdom of God" that is found in Christ. I feel that this passage is sometimes mis-interpreted and mis-applied to justify an anti-intellectualism and to argue against a positive role for apologetics.

Here are a few selections from the passage:

¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
¹⁸ For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God... 
²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom..
²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
...you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 

What is the context of the passage? What is the main point of the passage?

The context is the Corinthian church is divided about which leader to follow. Who is the best speaker? Who is the wisest? Who does the best baptisms? Paul is saying these are the wrong criteria for choosing a leader and the church should not be divided.

The main focus of the passage is on salvation, not on the role of the intellect in general. Salvation is found only by acknowledging our weakness and foolishness and casting ourselves upon Christ. We have nothing to boast about. Intellectual prowess does not help someone get saved. The world may scorn our humility as foolish and intellectually unsophisticated (or self demeaning).

For a Christian who has been saved in this "foolish" manner the passage does not imply they should scorn the intellectual riches of the secular world pertaining to matters other than salvation.

The passage does not mean that we should not use to our brains to reason and think about the riches of the Gospel.

Learning from life

A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.

        Muhammad Ali

So what "life wisdom" have I learnt from experience and observation?
What do I wish I knew and understood when I was twenty?

Life proceeds in stages. Adapt your expectations and activities accordingly.

Making a living is hard.

Financial debt can be a noose around your neck.

New initiatives need to be sustainable in the long term.

The good is the enemy of the excellent.

Learn to say no!