Anti-Science

"Science and religion do not mix."

Common knowledge, right? I mean, ask a scientist and they say that, ask a theologian and they say it as well.

Let's look at the facts: Religion says the Creation was formed in seven days, but science says billions of years. Religion says God formed man, science says evolution led man to come to be as we know him. Religion taught for centuries the flat earth/earth center of the universe theories- science disproved them. Science can't explain miraculous healings or a man dead several days suddenly alive, religion is founded on those kinds of ideas.

And so, the war between religion and science has raged. Each getting defensive, each biting back at the other in sometimes petty ways. And the church has been labeled by many as being anti-science.

And the label sticks. Religion is anti-science. At it's very core, it must be. If the resurrection of Christ could be scientifically explained, then the central miracle of the Christian religion is not so special. The Cross, the Tomb, and the Resurrection must be as far from science as possible- for it to be what we followers of Christ profess it to be, it must be beyond the realm of science and human possibility. For one to follow Christ, they must accept this episode of Christ's life and death and resurrection not on scientific fact, but on faith- purely on faith.

It's now 2000 years after those events, give or take. Religion is largely unchanged in it's core elements, but science has evolved and exploded. At Christ's time, science was the fringe thing and religion was the dominant power. Our commonplace items like cars, TV's, the internet and smart phones would be labeled witchcraft and sorcery by the contemporaries of the Messiah. Now, science is the dominant power and religion is increasingly on the fringe. And that's even true among Christians.

Barna Group's research shows that around 52% of 13-17 year old active church attenders plan to go into a science related career field. Young people who have questions about faith are increasing turning to Google over theology books, mentors, or even the Bible. Young people are seeking to know why they believe what they believe ( a good thing, in my opinion), but they seem to be increasingly basing that decision on cold hard facts. They don't want to take things on faith, at least, not very often. And religion is fighting back with fear and sometimes anger at a lost generation. And they are in fact losing a generation.

As it has been from the beginning of the conflict, it is now:

Science and religion do not mix.

But science and faith can.

Consider for a moment that some of the great scientific discoveries- like that the sun was the center of the galaxy, not earth- were discovered by Christians. Galileo was devout, and bucked the church's authority when he proposed his theory on the sun-centered galaxy. He was one of many Christians who embraced both science and faith, and changed the world because of it.

At the heart of how science and faith can co-exist while science and religion cannot is the nature of the things themselves. I said earlier that religion is largely unchanged in 2000 years, while science is always changing- not unlike our personal faith. Religion is often rigid ( And to be fair, science is as well. Once an idea is accepted as law -or even theory, it's nigh impossible to change minds, even if the law or theory is wrong.). But faith is fluid. Faith is willing to trust in things, even if they don't make sense. I'd even argue that faith is necessary to be a good scientist. Scientists must have faith in their methods, in their practices, in their theories and in the scientists that have come before them.

I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a scientific approach to Christianity. I think there is room for debate on some of the seemingly immovable precepts like Time for Creation and Evolution. The reason I say that is that no matter what one believes in regards to them, one can still be saved by Christ's sacrifice.

I look at it this way: Everyone is trying to build a bridge to cross the chasm of seperation from Man to God. You use your knowledge, experience, opinions, advice of others and even science to build that bridge. Any tool available should be used. For some, the bridge is long and the construction is hard. For others, the bridge is small and the labor light.

But no one's bridge will ever complete the chasm fully. There does not exist in this world enough proof in science, experience, opinions or advice to fully bridge that gap.

Everyone comes to a point where if they want to believe in Christ, they must take a leap from the belief system they've carefully constructed to the actual presence of God. Science cannot get you there- only the Cross of Christ and His Resurrection can, and it makes no scientific sense. I'd even argue that if you believe in it based on science, you're missing the point. It MUST come down to faith.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. --Ephesians 2:8-9

I think Faith and Science can and should work together. I think the fact that 52% of young Christians want to pursue the sciences as a career is great- we the Church need to encourage their pursuit of that dream as a chance to share and discover the glory of God in new ways. A well designed bridge or a marvelous tech tool or a skilled surgeon can be just as much an act of worship to God as a praise song- if the maker of those things is intent on honoring God.

I want to close with this thought: In your faith, always strive to understand why you believe what you believe. Seek answers, allow your doubts to drive you to hope. Never settle for what religion tells you when God is the one who truly has the answers- even if He's holding out on them from time to time. And in your science, do likewise. Never simply believe in the atom or gravity or climate change or biology or evolution or intelligent design because of who proposed it or how long it's been upheld or how many people believe it.

Seek answers.

Overprotective

We've all seen those parents that watch their kids like a hawk, never letting them try anything remotely dangerous, shielding their eyes and minds from dissenting or possibly offensive views, babying them into a state of perpetual childhood.

Society has done it as well. When 9-11 happened, the policy of many schools in the days following was basically to pretend it didn't happen so the kids didn't traumatized. As a Kindergartner, I watched as the Challenger exploded on live TV in front of me and hundreds of thousands of elementary students. Most of us turned out OK.

There is a line, I should point out, between good parenting and sheltering or overprotecting our kids. Every parent flirts with it, and at times crosses it. Every one.

And the Church, like a parent, is no exception.

For years, it seems the Church has fostered an environment that works really hard to keep the world at bay. It has resulted in things like "Praise Hero," the Christian alternative to "Guitar Hero." And things like Christian Coffee Houses, and Christian Night Clubs, and anything that makes it possible for Christians to have all the things of the world without ever actually going to the world.

The overprotective nature of the Church has produced a cultural gap, as well as an artistic gap. Leaders have urged their followers to judge a movie based only on a rating, and not the actual content. It has just been safer to prohibit all alcohol rather than actually teach people self-control. And asking hard and deep questions about faith? Forget about it.

Now, we sit at a point where a generation of church-goers are graduating High School, tasting freedom and spitting the taste of Church out of their mouth. They are seeing there are good things in Christ, but there are bad teachings coming from their churches. They hear Jesus say they should love the drunks and the adulterers and the thieves, but are told by the church to stay away from places they hang out, lest they be corrupted. They hear Jesus say "Come to me all who are weary," but see their churches cast weary looks at people who come to church but just don't "fit" with the congregation.

What is the answer? Is it freedom?

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. --Galatians 5:1

The obvious response is that we should seek freedom from the 'laws' the churches have made. Paul was often telling people things along those lines. That Grace had come, and the Law was not your yoke anymore, so don't wear it that way. We can do what we want, right?

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. --Galatians 5:13

Yes, we have freedom, but we also need discernment- wisdom to make the right choice with that freedom. And clearly, God's call is that we use our freedom to better others. What does that look like?

Just this week, I met with two different students whose interests are not interests the Church knows much of what to do with lately.

Ashley is an artist, and a creative. God has placed an idea on her heart, a vision to paint in public as a way to share Christ. A way to connect with people by painting what they tell her about themselves, and offering them hope and beauty in the form of art that reflects Christ. I am not an artist, but I appreciate it. More than that, I appreciate a heart that God made to love art and create art, a heart that beats for His Glory. So, I encouraged her, gave her hope (I hope), and I pray God uses her.

Daniel plays video games and likes comic books. In passing, a few weeks ago, I mentioned to him I believed that we can find a way to worship God in our interests, no matter how seemingly nonspiritual they may seem. Daniel told me this week of how, when playing a video game, he managed to connect with a young man, and they began to talk about God. This young man was feeling kind of lonely, and Daniel started a friendship based in Christ.

We as the church must not fear the world we live in. We must enter it with caution, but, we must enter it. We must take risks, try new things, and dare to attempt things that may fail or hurt us. And we must encourage our brothers and sisters to pursue their hopes and dreams that come from God- not try to protect them from those visions.

What is Wisdom, and Where Do I Find It?

A few years ago, if I remember correctly, a pastor I was working with told me of a quote from Bill Hybels.  In this statement, Hybels essentially said young people could not be good leaders because they lacked several things like experience, education, and wisdom.

And I was immediately angry.

Yes, young leaders can lack experience, that is a given.  But I don't think education (at least not the education he is most likely referring to, probably seminary) is necessary for a good leader.  And I totally agree that wisdom is needed, but whole-heartedly disagree that wisdom is out of the reach of the young- or anyone for that matter.

That quote, and hundreds like it from established leadership all over the country, is a symptom of a sickness with our understanding of wisdom in today's world.  The truth is, most people talk about wisdom like it is something earned, some achieved.

They mistake it for education.

I spent time in seminary.  I sat under numerous men and women who had studied their field for decades.  They no doubt knew their stuff, and knew more facts and doctrine than I ever will.  But only some of them were wise, others foolish.  The distinction there was pretty clear, the wise ones sincerely acknowledged their short-comings, that they didn't know it all.  The "wise" ones made it all about themselves, about what they knew, about what they'd done.

The Biblical back-up for this is in James 3:13-16:

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
 
I had one professor actually claim he was a better speaker than Billy Graham!  The issue was not his actual speaking skills, but the fact that he was boasting of himself.  Wisdom doesn't do that.

I'm not just bashing seminary professors here, I've seen it all over the place.  Churches have mistaken age and education for wisdom.  Often, they look to the guy who has been there the longest, or who seems the smartest to make the deciding stance.  Sometimes they get lucky, and that decision is a wise one.  But wouldn't it be better if we really knew what wisdom was?

According to James, the first evidence of wisdom is a good life, lived in humility brought on by wisdom.  A person of wisdom is not going to be the guy or girl loudly proclaiming their rightness.  They are just living it out, and offering help when it is solicited or desperately needed.  Later on in James 3, he adds in verse 17 that:

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

If you sum all of that up, wisdom doesn't seek to anger or divide, but rather to bring people together.  Wisdom is not harsh or condemning, it does not demand itself be followed.  Wisdom lets people choose it, it does not mock those who fail to heed it.  It shows mercy.  Wisdom rejoices when a mocker accepts its words.

Wisdom sounds a lot like love.

Which brings me to where we find wisdom.  It is a lot like love, not just in its character, but in how we receive it.  Neither are earned, or achieved, or learned.  They are given.

Wisdom is a gift.

We need not look any further than James 1:5 for this proof:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.


I do not claim to be a wise man.  I may have moments of wisdom, but only when I ask God for them.  I know  some pretty good facts, and think of myself as somewhat intelligent.  But these do not make me wise, nor will they ever, even when added to my experience and any education I receive.  Wisdom comes to me like it came to Solomon- when I ask God.  Just like it can come to you if you ask Him.

But know this- if you are seeking wisdom for your own personal gain, you'll be left empty-handed.  Wisdom is given not so we can build up ourselves, but so that we can serve and help others.  Wisdom is given to raise a family, lead a church, make good decisions, follow God- and a thousand other things.  Each of them is about helping others.  If we were to be wise, yet only for our own benefit, then we are not wise.  If we have 'wisdom', yet only use it to make others feel bad or dumb, that is not wisdom- it is folly.

Wisdom, like love, is a gift we receive that is meant to passed on, sincerely and for the betterment of others.

Count the Bags Before You Rake the Leaves

Saturday morning, I decided to rake leaves. Our home has a little over 30 trees on the lot, and all but maybe four lose their leaves, so this is by no means a one day operation. I decided to focus on the driveway and the large space just in front of our front door (home to about 8 small to medium sized trees and some ivy). Pretty soon, I noticed how much I raked and blown up, and thought, to make it more fun, I'd see how tall a pile I could make. Plus, then the kids could play in a ginormous pile of decaying leaves. This is the result:

That is about three and a half feet tall, and about ten feet long. It is also in the middle of the driveway (that's important). The kids had a blast, but it was time to finish the job, because we had lunch to eat and a movie to get to. I go to grab the leaf bags and out falls two. That's it. I spent a bit of time looking from the bags to the pile, squarely placed in the MIDDLE of the driveway, and trying to figure out how to fit it all in the bags I had. Both of them.

In the end, I had to push the leaves I couldn't get bagged up (about 75%) off to the side so a car could get out to go get more leaf bags. And I was left remembering Jesus teaching that you needed to count the cost before you begin to build, or something to that effect. I had jumped into something very much excited, but I lacked the equipment, and the time, to complete the job.

I've seen this become a problem in so many of our lives of late. Not just when it comes to our spiritual walk, but in EVERY aspect of our lives we jump in with both feet only to discover our available resources and time don't match our excitement. So we get stressed, we sacrifice other, often important, things to finish the task we once approached with great excitement. Now, we approach it with an obligated feeling that we have to finish what we started.

I get what Jesus is saying. We need to make sure we are willing to give a job, or a calling, or a ministry, or a task all that it needs well before we drop ourselves into the commitment. We need to stop making promises that we can't keep without severely compromising the integrity of the endeavor- or the integrity of the other things we are already committed to.

Know your limits, what you can take on before you get so far in you can't get out without finishing it. Know what you have to offer before you commit what you don't have.

And please, please, count the leaf bags before blocking the driveway with a leaf mountain.