Is Science Opposed to Christianity?

Keller points out the very modern claim that “you cannot be an intelligent scientific thinker and still hold to religious beliefs.” (Although this particular claim is very modern—Dawkins, 1986 and 2006, my mom heard just about the same thing in 1929 when she went to Coe College—“Anyone who is intelligent doesn’t believe the Bible.”) Of course the question is: is that right? The most common objection is against the reality of miracles. The answer has several levels. First, science admits that it is not equipped to test for miracles as it only deals with natural causes and effects. The next step is a long reach to claim that that proves there can’t be any miracles. What kind of logic is that? Just because I not know Portuguese doesn’t prove it doesn’t exist. The idea behind it all is the assumption that since there aren’t miracles, there can’t be a God who does miracles. So is Science opposed to Christianity? There are many on both sides of the discussion who say yes. It is commonly expressed like this: Evolution and Science don’t mix. Keller points out that there are however, many scientists who are Christians and who hold and teach some version of evolution as a process but do not accept evolution as an “All-encompassing Theory.” There are four different approaches to the problem: conflict, dialogue, integration, and interdependence. Each has its supporters and strengths and weaknesses. The point is that there are many ways to approach the question, with two major emphases. First, science itself is “unable to account for everything (many things?) about human existence to every thinkers’ satisfaction.” And the second is that the “majority of scientists consider themselves moderately or deeply religious.” There isn’t an uncrossable divide between science and Christianity. To those who have a hard time believing miracles, Keller points out that when Jesus rose from the dead, even some of his followers had a difficult time with it. After all dead people don’t just rise again from the dead. Miracles are hard to believe because they are counter to the natural order and our experience. And their purpose seems to move beyond capturing our minds to capturing our hearts. “Jesus’ miracles are not just a challenge to our minds, but a promise to our hearts that the world we want is coming.”

Keeping in Step with the Spirit--Remix

I always learn more by teaching, talking or writing than I do by mere reading or thinking. Putting it down on paper is the best of all--because I can look at the thoughts, mull them over, change them, reword them or delete them. Talking works pretty good too--except for the sad reality that I quickly forget what I said! During a recent Sunday School class we were working on Galatians 5:16-26. This section has the famous verses about the fruit of the Spirit. And it also reminds us of the challenge every Christian faces internally-a spiritual civil war between the the fallen sinful nature and the renewed Spiritual nature. Two points clicked for me this morning. First, There is a strong parallel construction between verses 16 and 18. Both verses contrast the fallen nature and the renewed Spiritual nature. In verse 16 the text says, "live by the Spirit." This is very similar to verse 18, "you are led by the Spirit." The contrasting action in verse 16 says, "and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." The contrast in verse 18 says, "you are not under law." There is something similar or parallel between gratifying the sinful nature and being under the law. It seems that in the rest of Galations, being under law means trying to earn God's favor (or salvation) by doing things He likes or approves of. In other words it means trying to get God to react to what we do. Or more precisely, trying to control God by what we do. In the most religious terms of the context it would be something like--I am following the Mosaic laws so that God is under obligation to bless and accept me. It is a religious way of being your own savior and lord. So how could that be similar to gratifying the desires of the sinful nature? Certainly not in the sense of trying to gain God's approval, because truly pagan people don't seem to care anything for God. The similarity lies in the fact that this gratification is self oriented. When I gratify those desires I am doing what I want, or what I think will best serve me or make me happy. The way it is similar is that at the center of my heart, I am acting as my own god (or savior or lord). I wonder if this is part of what Bill Bright was thinking about when he gave us that famous illustration of the throne in one's heart. Who is on it? Me or Jesus? Whether it is the desires of the sinful nature or living under the law, the focus is the same--I want what I want and I want it now! I want to be in charge. I will run my own life, thank you. I'll be my own lord! Second, This realization then helped me to understand what it is to keep in step with the Spirit. If I understand the work of the Spirit as being to glorify Jesus (John 14-16), then keeping in step with the Spirit means seeing the person and work of Jesus more and more. In essence it is keeping the gospel before you all the time. When Jack Miller (who taught preachers at Westminster Seminary) talked about doing this he said we have to learn to "preach the gospel to ourselves all the time." And isn't this the way the Spirit transforms us? Look at 2 Corinthians 3:18. "And we, who with unveiled faces reflect (or contemplate) the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness..." What is it that changes us--the glory of Jesus. The entire package of his glory--his divine nature, his human nature, his death for the benefit of his people, his astonishing and amazing love and grace. With these two insights in mind, I realized why one of my friends told me his life was radically changed when he began to begin his day by reviewing Scriptures that expressed the work of Jesus to give new life. It can change your life!

Men of Colonial Mountain Climbers--Conditioning

Guys, If you were at the first orientation meeting you heard about the need for conditioning. Most of you already know this and most of you are already doing some things to get ready for the climbs. After Pastor Paul mentioned his conditioning goal, I felt weak. And slow. And old. So I rechecked some correspondance and websites and found a fairly reliable VO2 test that anyone can use. It was developed by Dr Ken Cooper (the Aerobics guy from way back). You can find a link to it here. VO2 has something to do with measuring the volume of oxygen your lungs and body can handle. It is a pretty effective measure of cardio conditioning. If you reach a certain point, then it is likely that you'll do okay in the mountains, at altitude (apart from altitude sickness). The test is simple. Run as far as you can in 12 minutes. Measure it. Compare the charts. The link I gave is measured in meters so I had to convert mileage to meters. For old guys like me it is something like 1.25 miles in 12 minutes. I believe you younger men probably need to go farther! The other factor that you should train for is long walks or hikes. I think the trip up Umcompaghre is more than 12 minutes. grace