I just read
a marvellous explanation of evolutionary creation in Adam and the Genome by Dennis Venema and Scot McKnight (BrazosPress, 2017). McKnight
says, “. . . God constructed the DNA of the smallest organic matter to unfold
in our direction.”
(p. 132) God started with DNA processes in small single-celled organisms and
set it up in such a way that one day, humans would be created. The DNA unfolded “in
our direction.”
a marvellous explanation of evolutionary creation in Adam and the Genome by Dennis Venema and Scot McKnight (BrazosPress, 2017). McKnight
says, “. . . God constructed the DNA of the smallest organic matter to unfold
in our direction.”
(p. 132) God started with DNA processes in small single-celled organisms and
set it up in such a way that one day, humans would be created. The DNA unfolded “in
our direction.”
One page
over, McKnight then goes on to explain God’s image in men and women. “They image God
whenever each separately or whenever both together rule, subdue or cause any
element of creation to flourish in God’s design for it.” (p. 133) That may be the best explanation of the imago Dei or image of God I have heard and is certainly
something to which I can relate, either as the farmer I used to be, or the
pastor and coach I am now. When I cause an animal, stalk of grain, or person to
flourish so that they function in the way they were designed, I am co-ruling, co-subduing, and joining with God in this work. I am turning chaos into order and causing others to delight
in who they are.
over, McKnight then goes on to explain God’s image in men and women. “They image God
whenever each separately or whenever both together rule, subdue or cause any
element of creation to flourish in God’s design for it.” (p. 133) That may be the best explanation of the imago Dei or image of God I have heard and is certainly
something to which I can relate, either as the farmer I used to be, or the
pastor and coach I am now. When I cause an animal, stalk of grain, or person to
flourish so that they function in the way they were designed, I am co-ruling, co-subduing, and joining with God in this work. I am turning chaos into order and causing others to delight
in who they are.
I will
continue to read this book and see what other insights may be found. This is an important book for this point in the history of Evangelical Christianity.
continue to read this book and see what other insights may be found. This is an important book for this point in the history of Evangelical Christianity.
Do you ever have the feeling that it may be uncomfortable to
reveal that you are a Christian? I confess that I have found myself in this
position on a few occasions. For pastors like me, this can take the unique form
of someone asking me what kind of work I do. When I say that I am a pastor of a
church, I know that some people will wonder how to continue on the conversation
and it may get quiet for a moment. I sometimes get the sense that the person is
now thinking about the things they have just said and wondering how many times
they swore or took God’s name in vain in the last ten minutes. They may
jokingly say something about only working on Sundays. I would like to avoid
such interactions and that is why I might sometime find it hard to tell people
that I am a pastor. But I do tell them. I usually transition quickly to asking
them what they do for work before slowly bringing the conversation back to the
church.
For you it may take the form of people having coffee or lunch together
at work and they may be talking about some variation of Christians that they
have seen. They may say something like, can you believe those Christians in the
United States, how they will support Republican/Democratic Political leaders
who are badly flawed? They may of course say this in much stronger words and
right-off anyone who is a Christian as just the same as this lot. They will
point to persons who are Christians that will refuse services to gay or lesbian
couples and suggest that this is not very loving. It can be very difficult to
say, “Hey, wait a minute, I am a Christian too; and let me tell you the
background on why such issues are important to Christians.”
Christians
used to be at the centre of our North American culture. Pastors used to be one
of the resources that people looked to. They were a source of wisdom in city
planning, they were counselors for marriages and mental health, they were
respected members of the community that were invited to significant civic
events and they would be asked to pray for community events and meals. If it
was known that a person attended church on a regular basis they were viewed as
a pillar of the community and their character was immediately trusted; they
were hired ahead of those who only attended church at Christmas and Easter. We
trusted Christians to lead us in politics and community life.
Certainly,
we now find ourselves in a different place; on the edges of society; in the
margins. We are no longer at the centre of our culture. Civic leaders no longer
come to pastors or Christians for their wisdom or help. Sometimes we find
ourselves looked upon with suspicion or as people with an agenda. We find
ourselves at odds with the values of our majority culture.
It can leave us with a lack of firm
grounding in who we are as a people. It can leave us feeling that we have lost
our identity. 1 Peter 2:9-12 says,
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen
people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result,
you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness
into his wonderful light.
“Once you had no identity as a
people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”
Dear friends, I warn you as
“temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that
wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly
among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong,
they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he
judges the world.
Practically speaking, what does it
mean that we are a Royal Priesthood, a Chosen People, a Holy Nation, and God’s
Own Possession? It means that we will be strangers and aliens in this world. We
are not of this world, “this world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.”
When our world wants us all to conform to the ways, thoughts, and values of
this world, we will be a holy people of God. When Facebook posts suggest that
we like something or someone or some issue, we will be a holy people of God.
When the lunch conversation is about something that everyone else is agreeing with,
we will be a holy people of God. Will this be easy? No. Will we always know
what to say? No. But the holiness and love of God’s people must show through.
The band, Jars of Clay wrote a song which captures the struggle we have with
our identity in Christ. The song is called “Trouble Is” and is from the
album Who We Are Instead.
Trouble Is
(Jars of Clay)
(Jars of Clay)
My wings don't sail me to the sky
On my own these wings won't fly
Jesus told me so
Still I'm not so sure that I know
Can't find no rest for my soul
Can't find no rest on my own
Jesus told me so
Still I'm not so sure that I know
Man, the trouble is
We don't know who we are instead
I'll keep runnin' the other way
My heart ain't built to stay
My heart ain't built to stay
And the world just ain't that way
Man, the trouble is
We don't know who we are instead
Songwriters: Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Stephen
Daniel Mason, Matt Odmark, and Aaron Sands. Published by Universal Music
Publishing Group.
When we know that we are “the chosen people of
God, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation,” then we will know who we are and
how we will live; and the clear difference in our Christian
lives will be evident to the unbelieving world around.
I love rediscovering
great songs. Listening once again to the song “America” written by Paul Simon,
and performed by Simon and Garfunkel, I was struck by the genius of this song.
The chord structures, time signatures, and poetry are beautiful. It paints
stunning pictures in my mind.
great songs. Listening once again to the song “America” written by Paul Simon,
and performed by Simon and Garfunkel, I was struck by the genius of this song.
The chord structures, time signatures, and poetry are beautiful. It paints
stunning pictures in my mind.
The song tells a
story of two young people finding their way in the world. It captures the angst
of a whole generation of people in the 1960s and 70s. There is the optimism of
youth and the emptiness that seems to stem from a generation not knowing who
they are or for what purpose they exist. Paul Simon was asking good questions
about life. I wonder if he ever found his answers.
story of two young people finding their way in the world. It captures the angst
of a whole generation of people in the 1960s and 70s. There is the optimism of
youth and the emptiness that seems to stem from a generation not knowing who
they are or for what purpose they exist. Paul Simon was asking good questions
about life. I wonder if he ever found his answers.
“America”
(Listen to the song)
(Listen to the song)
Let us be lovers,
We’ll marry our fortunes together.
I’ve got some real estate
Here in my bag.
We’ll marry our fortunes together.
I’ve got some real estate
Here in my bag.
So we bought a pack of cigarettes,
And Mrs. Wagner’s pies,
And walked off
To look for America.
“Kathy”, I said,
As we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh,
Michigan seems like a dream to me now.
It took me four days
To hitch-hike from Saginaw.
“I’ve come to look for America.”
Laughing on the bus,
Playing games with the faces,
She said the man in the gabardine suit
Was a spy.
I said, “Be careful,
His bow tie is really a camera.”
“Toss me a cigarette,
I think there’s one in my raincoat.”
We smoked the last one
An hour ago.
So I looked at the scenery,
She read her magazine;
And the moon rose over an open field.
“Kathy, I’m lost”, I said,
Though I knew she was sleeping.
“I’m empty and aching and
I don’t know why.”
Counting the cars
On the New Jersey Turnpike
They’ve all come
To look for America,
All come to look for America,
All come to look for America.
Songwriter: Paul Simon, Published by Universal Music Publishing Group
I have a confession:
I like one of Katy Perry’s songs. “Chained to the Rhythm” is her latest single
and she debuted the song on the Grammy Awards Show. Why do I like this song? The
message of the song is aimed at the average person in North
American culture, and the message is that we should no longer be content with
the things that previously made us happy. The white picket fence, enough drinks
to keep us comfortably numb, and our favourite songs to keep us dancing and
distracted should not be the way to the good life. Simply putting on “rose
colored glasses” and pretending that all will be well is not going to solve
the problems of the world. It reminds me of another song, from another time,
from another artist: “It will all get back to normal if we put our nation
first. But the trouble with normal is it always gets worse.” (Bruce Cockburn, “The
Trouble with Normal”)
The bridge of the
song features Skip Marley and suggests that it is time to “Break down
the walls to connect, inspire.” Yes, I can concur with those sentiments. He then begins to speak about rioting. Is that the solution? Surely in every
culture, riots should be a last resort and they must always be peaceful. Martin
Luther King, Jr. led what might be called riots; but it was always his desire
that they remain peaceful. These protests have long stood as some of the most
effective in history.
“Chained to the Rhythm” is designed to be a “wake-up call”
for all of us. The artists of our culture have often provided a prophetic role. The
solutions remain for other prophets to proclaim.
Chained To The Rhythm
(Written by Katy Perry, Max Martin, Sia Furler, Ali Payami, Skip Marley)(Listen to the song while you read the lyrics.) Are we crazy?
Living our lives through a lens
Trapped in our white picket fence
Like ornaments
So comfortable, we're living in a bubble, bubble
So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, trouble
Aren't you lonely?
Up there in utopia
Where nothing will ever be enough
Happily numb
So comfortable, we're living in a bubble, bubble
So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, trouble (Aha)
So put your rose-colored glasses on
And party on Turn it up, it's your favorite song
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion Turn it up, keep it on repeat
Stumbling around like a wasted zombie, yeah
We think we're free (Aha)
Drink, this one's on me
We're all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm
To the rhythm
Turn it up, it's your favorite song
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Turn it up, keep it on repeat
Stumbling around like a wasted zombie, yeah
We think we're free (Aha)
Drink, this one's on me
We're all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm
To the rhythm Are we tone deaf?
Keep sweeping it under the mat
Thought we could do better than that
I hope we can
So comfortable, we're living in a bubble, bubble
So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, trouble (Aha)
So put your rose-colored glasses on
And party on Turn it up, it's your favorite song
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Turn it up, keep it on repeat
Stumbling around like a wasted zombie, yeah
We think we're free (Aha)
Drink, this one's on me
We're all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm
To the rhythm Turn it up, it's your favorite song
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Turn it up, keep it on repeat
Stumbling around like a wasted zombie, yeah
We think we're free (Aha)
Drink, this one's on me
We're all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm
To the rhythm It is my desire
Break down the walls to connect, inspire, ay
Up in your high place, liars
Time is ticking for the empire
The truth they feed is feeble
As so many times before
They greed over the people
They stumbling and fumbling
And we about to riot
They woke up, they woke up the lions
(Woo!) Turn it up, it's your favorite song
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Turn it up (turn it up, turn it up), keep it on repeat
Stumbling around like a wasted zombie (like a wasted zombie), yeah
We think we're free (Aha)
Drink, this one's on me
We're all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm
To the rhythm It goes on and on and on
It goes on and on and on
It goes on and on and on
'Cause we're all chained to the rhythm
“And I know
if he’s here tonight, somewhere looking in on us, he would smile and be so
proud that this artist is performing this song. To George who we love and will
always miss, this is for you . . .” James Corden, introducing a tribute to George
Michael performed by Adele on the 2017 Grammy Awards.
It used to
be rare, but there are a significant number of people in North America who live
without religion, faith, or a sense of the divine. This segment of our
population sometimes expresses their opinion by saying that before they were
born, they were nothing and after they die they will be nothing again. In their
view, life is like a light bulb: we are on and then we are off.
be rare, but there are a significant number of people in North America who live
without religion, faith, or a sense of the divine. This segment of our
population sometimes expresses their opinion by saying that before they were
born, they were nothing and after they die they will be nothing again. In their
view, life is like a light bulb: we are on and then we are off.
Some of
these same people will make other statements and express other ideas and
emotions when faced with the death of someone they loved or highly respected. They
will say something like what James Corden said Sunday night or they will find
themselves agreeing with Corden’s thoughts shared about the one who is no longer
with us. They will speak of the one they miss and say that they “just might be
watching from above”; or that they are “among us tonight”; or that they are “in
a much better place”; or that they are “at peace now”; or that they are now “doing
what they loved the most.” The person saying or agreeing with such things may
blame their inability to shake old notions; they may say that it is just their old
Catholic upbringing coming through; or they may blame it on their parents’ indoctrination
about what happens when a person dies.
these same people will make other statements and express other ideas and
emotions when faced with the death of someone they loved or highly respected. They
will say something like what James Corden said Sunday night or they will find
themselves agreeing with Corden’s thoughts shared about the one who is no longer
with us. They will speak of the one they miss and say that they “just might be
watching from above”; or that they are “among us tonight”; or that they are “in
a much better place”; or that they are “at peace now”; or that they are now “doing
what they loved the most.” The person saying or agreeing with such things may
blame their inability to shake old notions; they may say that it is just their old
Catholic upbringing coming through; or they may blame it on their parents’ indoctrination
about what happens when a person dies.
I
understand that none of us is completely consistent in our expressed views, or
in our understanding of the mystery of life. I want to encourage all of us to
sort through our emotions and intellectual thoughts as we seek to comprehend
life. For most of us, this will take a lifetime of thinking, imagining,
reading, and studying. We need to encourage one another to look deep inside and
see the variety of conflicting thoughts and emotions that lie inside the minds
of each of us. We can seek to resolve them.
understand that none of us is completely consistent in our expressed views, or
in our understanding of the mystery of life. I want to encourage all of us to
sort through our emotions and intellectual thoughts as we seek to comprehend
life. For most of us, this will take a lifetime of thinking, imagining,
reading, and studying. We need to encourage one another to look deep inside and
see the variety of conflicting thoughts and emotions that lie inside the minds
of each of us. We can seek to resolve them.
I encourage us to keep on searching for truth, hungering for righteousness,
and thirsting for the answers that make the most sense. This will mean reading
widely, paying attention to the ways in which humans have understood life in
the past, being honest with our tendency to create a system that works for “me”
in “my time,” rather than one that embraces others and is timeless. It will mean that we become adept
at sorting through a variety of philosophies, theologies, and ideologies to
understand why they came to be. It will mean giving a concept a fair shake
before putting it aside. In short, it will mean that we stay curious,
continuing to search for answers all through our lives.
and thirsting for the answers that make the most sense. This will mean reading
widely, paying attention to the ways in which humans have understood life in
the past, being honest with our tendency to create a system that works for “me”
in “my time,” rather than one that embraces others and is timeless. It will mean that we become adept
at sorting through a variety of philosophies, theologies, and ideologies to
understand why they came to be. It will mean giving a concept a fair shake
before putting it aside. In short, it will mean that we stay curious,
continuing to search for answers all through our lives.
Kyler
England puts it well in her song, “Simple Machine.” In this song, she calls
upon her friend to return to the “searching kind” of person they once were and not be afraid
of what they might find. My prayer for us is that we might always be the
searching kind. If we search for truth, we will find truth, and the truth will set
us free.
England puts it well in her song, “Simple Machine.” In this song, she calls
upon her friend to return to the “searching kind” of person they once were and not be afraid
of what they might find. My prayer for us is that we might always be the
searching kind. If we search for truth, we will find truth, and the truth will set
us free.
Simple Machine(written by Kyler England)
(listen to the song here)
we never talk about the big things anymore,
it’s too hard
there’s a canyon between us that we can’t cross,
it’s too far
whatever happened to you?
you used to be the searching kind
lately you turn and run
like you’re afraid of what you’ll find
i know you believe
the heart is only a simple machine
and the love that’s running through our veins
is just a pulse of electricity
and you’ve given up on finding meaning
in this great big mystery
but baby don’t give up,
baby don’t you give up on me
you say we’re like a light switch
we’re on and then we’re off
and this is all there is
we’re here and then we’re gone,
then we’re gone
we’re here and then we’re gone
how can you believe
the heart is only a simple machine
and the love that’s running through our veins
is just a pulse of electricity
don’t you give up on finding meaning
in this great big mystery
and baby don’t give up,
baby don’t you give up on me
I watched a nature dance today. As I drove
past Nose Hill Park in Calgary, I noticed three deer sticking close together in
a herd. Then I noticed two coyotes on this side of the deer, two more to the
west of the trio, and one more behind the deer. I realized I was watching a
coyote hunt. They were working as a pack to corral the deer, assessing which of
the three moved most slowly through the deep snow, watching for any signs of
weakness. The coyotes were moving with a circular motion around the deer and
the whole collection of animals was moving in a westward direction. The
resulting appearance made one think of choreographed dance – but a deadly one!
There was a good chance that one of the dancers was about to die. I could not
stay long enough to see the final result but I think I might go by later and
look for signs of blood in the snow or any other evidence of a struggle. It was
a beautiful, sad, and noble thing to see. This was how things were designed to
be. This was the struggle of life and death; of one carbon-based creature
seeking metabolic energy from another carbon-based creature. The deer had been
doing the same just a few minutes before this as they munched on the dry grass
of the park; chewing up the life of a plant that lived and died upon the land.
past Nose Hill Park in Calgary, I noticed three deer sticking close together in
a herd. Then I noticed two coyotes on this side of the deer, two more to the
west of the trio, and one more behind the deer. I realized I was watching a
coyote hunt. They were working as a pack to corral the deer, assessing which of
the three moved most slowly through the deep snow, watching for any signs of
weakness. The coyotes were moving with a circular motion around the deer and
the whole collection of animals was moving in a westward direction. The
resulting appearance made one think of choreographed dance – but a deadly one!
There was a good chance that one of the dancers was about to die. I could not
stay long enough to see the final result but I think I might go by later and
look for signs of blood in the snow or any other evidence of a struggle. It was
a beautiful, sad, and noble thing to see. This was how things were designed to
be. This was the struggle of life and death; of one carbon-based creature
seeking metabolic energy from another carbon-based creature. The deer had been
doing the same just a few minutes before this as they munched on the dry grass
of the park; chewing up the life of a plant that lived and died upon the land.
I thought about how fragile life can be. I
thought about my own struggles and the things I must do to find sufficient energy
to keep my carbon-based metabolism running smoothly. God has crafted me with
the same care with which he prepared the deer and coyotes to interact. He has
even used several of the same principles. I am not God’s pet; I am his child.
He wants me to go out into the world and find my way. He wants me to be mature
and look for my place in the ecosystem. I am like one of those coyotes. I must
look for ways in which I can create lasting sustenance for myself and for my
pack. I must serve the greater bio-system.
thought about my own struggles and the things I must do to find sufficient energy
to keep my carbon-based metabolism running smoothly. God has crafted me with
the same care with which he prepared the deer and coyotes to interact. He has
even used several of the same principles. I am not God’s pet; I am his child.
He wants me to go out into the world and find my way. He wants me to be mature
and look for my place in the ecosystem. I am like one of those coyotes. I must
look for ways in which I can create lasting sustenance for myself and for my
pack. I must serve the greater bio-system.
Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your unfailing love,
O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings. – Psalm 36:5-7
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your unfailing love,
O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings. – Psalm 36:5-7
Spoiler Alert:
This blog will give you
some general knowledge of the basic plot line of the movie La La Land.
This blog will give you
some general knowledge of the basic plot line of the movie La La Land.
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask
for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:12-17
for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:12-17
My wife, Maureen, and I recently went to see the movie La La Land and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. They had me from the first scene where they were singing on the freeway. I love musicals. But, the message of the movie is a message that is very much opposed to that of John 15. At one point in the movie, Mia (the leading lady) says to Sebastian (the leading man), “I’m always gonna love you” and Sebastian responds with “I’m always gonna love you too.” But by the end of the movie, each of them has pursued their own dream; and the dreams they have pursued have left no room for the person they claim to love. Did I just give you a bit of a spoiler? I doubt it. When we think about it, isn’t that one of the main messages of many of our movies and television series? You probably could have guessed the plot of this story.
Television and movies tell you that the most important thing in life is to follow your own dream. Jesus tells you in John 15 that we are to love one another and create space for others in our lives. Jesus calls us friends and sets the example for us of how we are to treat one another as spiritual friends. We are to love each other with a selfless love that puts aside our own lives, or maybe our own ambitions, for the sake of helping others. You see, if it weren’t for these words of Jesus found here in John 15 (and several other places), we could live our lives in isolation, seeking to read our Bible daily and develop our relationship with God. But Jesus is saying something else. He is saying, the only way that we truly enter into friendship with God is by the grace of community. We must have, and we must be, spiritual friends.
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another … Hebrews 10:24, 25.
The key is finding ways to connect with one another, motivate one another, and encourage one another. The goal is acts of love and good works.
Dennis Venema, Ph.D., gave an exceptional lecture
at Ambrose University on Friday, February 3, 2017. The event was sponsored by
the Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation of Calgary, Ambrose
University, and the Templeton Foundation. What follows is a collection of
thoughts inspired by the cold, snowy evening, and the warm engaging crowd.
at Ambrose University on Friday, February 3, 2017. The event was sponsored by
the Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation of Calgary, Ambrose
University, and the Templeton Foundation. What follows is a collection of
thoughts inspired by the cold, snowy evening, and the warm engaging crowd.
Venema, a geneticist
at Trinity Western University, who studies cell surface proteins in the wings
of fruit flies, began by referencing the words of Thomas
á Kempis, “There
is no creature so small and abject, that it representeth not the goodness of
God” before leading the crowd of approximately 100 people through a tour of
major scientific evidence supporting evolutionary creation. He drew heavily
from his recent book, Adam and the
Genome: Reading Scripture After Genetic Science.
at Trinity Western University, who studies cell surface proteins in the wings
of fruit flies, began by referencing the words of Thomas
á Kempis, “There
is no creature so small and abject, that it representeth not the goodness of
God” before leading the crowd of approximately 100 people through a tour of
major scientific evidence supporting evolutionary creation. He drew heavily
from his recent book, Adam and the
Genome: Reading Scripture After Genetic Science.
The book, published by
Brazos Press and available on Amazon.ca is co-authored by Scott McKnight and
offers both a scientific and theological perspective on Adam and genomic
studies. I look forward to reading the contributions of both authors.
Brazos Press and available on Amazon.ca is co-authored by Scott McKnight and
offers both a scientific and theological perspective on Adam and genomic
studies. I look forward to reading the contributions of both authors.
In many circles, the “two
book” concept of God’s revelation has become a common approach on such issues
and so Venema gave only the briefest of comments about how God reveals himself
through special revelation in the Bible and through general revelation in
nature. Dr. Venema reminded his listeners that, in the
context of science, the word “theory” means a well-tested explanatory framework.
In contrast, in everyday language, we use the word “theory” to suggest that
something is not very reliable. We say, “Well, that is just your theory.”
book” concept of God’s revelation has become a common approach on such issues
and so Venema gave only the briefest of comments about how God reveals himself
through special revelation in the Bible and through general revelation in
nature. Dr. Venema reminded his listeners that, in the
context of science, the word “theory” means a well-tested explanatory framework.
In contrast, in everyday language, we use the word “theory” to suggest that
something is not very reliable. We say, “Well, that is just your theory.”
Venema shared evidence
of evolution from such varied sciences as genetics,
physiology, fossil records, and embryology. Scientific results from each
discipline were brought to bear upon the evidence that points to the fact that
the ancestors of whales and other water-dwelling mammals were land-dwelling quadrupeds.
After showing further evidence in other systems and other animals, Venema made
the statement that evolution is a well-tested explanatory framework, supported
by a large body of experimental evidence, that makes accurate predictions; furthermore,
evolution has not yet been shown to be false by experimentation; nothing makes
sense in biology except in the light of evolution; and evolution is the most
foundational theory in biology.
of evolution from such varied sciences as genetics,
physiology, fossil records, and embryology. Scientific results from each
discipline were brought to bear upon the evidence that points to the fact that
the ancestors of whales and other water-dwelling mammals were land-dwelling quadrupeds.
After showing further evidence in other systems and other animals, Venema made
the statement that evolution is a well-tested explanatory framework, supported
by a large body of experimental evidence, that makes accurate predictions; furthermore,
evolution has not yet been shown to be false by experimentation; nothing makes
sense in biology except in the light of evolution; and evolution is the most
foundational theory in biology.
One of the highlights of the lecture was when
Venema compared the changes that accrue in a language over time to the physical
changes in the population of a species over time. Evolution involves changes in
average characteristics in the overall population of a species rather than
changes that occur in an individual. He reminded his audience that it is
important to stay focussed on populations rather than individuals when
assessing evolutionary change. In the same way, language usage in a population
changes over time. Venema showed one verse from the Gospel of John in six forms
as it changed over time. He started with the West Saxon form (around 849 CE),
followed by the Wycliffe version, Tyndale version, 1611 King James Version, the
Cambridge King James Version, and lastly the contemporary New International
Version of the Bible to show how language changes in a very short period. He
made the point that evolutionary change is similar but much slower.
Venema compared the changes that accrue in a language over time to the physical
changes in the population of a species over time. Evolution involves changes in
average characteristics in the overall population of a species rather than
changes that occur in an individual. He reminded his audience that it is
important to stay focussed on populations rather than individuals when
assessing evolutionary change. In the same way, language usage in a population
changes over time. Venema showed one verse from the Gospel of John in six forms
as it changed over time. He started with the West Saxon form (around 849 CE),
followed by the Wycliffe version, Tyndale version, 1611 King James Version, the
Cambridge King James Version, and lastly the contemporary New International
Version of the Bible to show how language changes in a very short period. He
made the point that evolutionary change is similar but much slower.
Having established that nothing in biology
makes sense without evolution, Venema then went on to show evidence that humans
are also part of the evolutionary process. Multiple sources of genetic evidence
such as chromosomal structure, and pseudogenes in both humans and apes, suggest
that 4 to 6 million years ago we shared a common ancestor with Pan troglodytes (chimpanzees). Not only have humans descended from
other species, contemporary genetic evidence (population genetics and
recombination frequencies) indicates that humans of today descended from a
population of approximately 10,000 humans that lived approximately 200,000
years ago.
makes sense without evolution, Venema then went on to show evidence that humans
are also part of the evolutionary process. Multiple sources of genetic evidence
such as chromosomal structure, and pseudogenes in both humans and apes, suggest
that 4 to 6 million years ago we shared a common ancestor with Pan troglodytes (chimpanzees). Not only have humans descended from
other species, contemporary genetic evidence (population genetics and
recombination frequencies) indicates that humans of today descended from a
population of approximately 10,000 humans that lived approximately 200,000
years ago.
Of course, all this genetic and scientific
evidence poses questions related to our common understandings of Adam, sin,
death, and the Fall. Venema pointed out that when we see such apparent
conflict, we must consider that this may be due to deficits in our science or
deficits in our theology and work to find a way of better understanding both. Venema
worked with Scott McKnight in publishing the book Adam and the Genome because he wanted to work with a New Testament
scholar as they considered the implications of reading scripture after genetic
science. In the theological realm, Venema readily admits that he is not the
expert, McKnight does most of the theological analysis.
evidence poses questions related to our common understandings of Adam, sin,
death, and the Fall. Venema pointed out that when we see such apparent
conflict, we must consider that this may be due to deficits in our science or
deficits in our theology and work to find a way of better understanding both. Venema
worked with Scott McKnight in publishing the book Adam and the Genome because he wanted to work with a New Testament
scholar as they considered the implications of reading scripture after genetic
science. In the theological realm, Venema readily admits that he is not the
expert, McKnight does most of the theological analysis.
One of the key questions in the New Testament is our understanding of the Apostle Paul’s words when he speaks of Adam. Venema and McKnight’s
book suggests that Paul was part of a long history of intertestamental writers
who wrote about Adam between the time of Malachi and Matthew and used the
concept of Adam for theological arguments. Other important questions will relate to Augustine, and others, also
contributed to our contemporary theology of what God means by saying that
creation is “good.” McKnight and others are now asking questions about such
words. Does “good” mean “perfect?” Does it mean that there was no death? How do
we understand sin coming into the world? What does the Bible mean when it
speaks of humans made in the image of God? Each of these questions demands new
consideration in light of contemporary genetic science. Such vast genetic
information has only been available to philosophers, scientists, and theologians
for a few decades. Our theology now needs to keep pace with our scientific
findings.
book suggests that Paul was part of a long history of intertestamental writers
who wrote about Adam between the time of Malachi and Matthew and used the
concept of Adam for theological arguments. Other important questions will relate to Augustine, and others, also
contributed to our contemporary theology of what God means by saying that
creation is “good.” McKnight and others are now asking questions about such
words. Does “good” mean “perfect?” Does it mean that there was no death? How do
we understand sin coming into the world? What does the Bible mean when it
speaks of humans made in the image of God? Each of these questions demands new
consideration in light of contemporary genetic science. Such vast genetic
information has only been available to philosophers, scientists, and theologians
for a few decades. Our theology now needs to keep pace with our scientific
findings.
Venema referred to Sir Francis Bacon in his
lecture as one who readily understood the necessity of studying both “books” of
God’s revelation: God’s word and God’s works. I will give the last words of
this blog post to Bacon: “To conclude, therefore, let no man upon a weak
conceit of sobriety or an ill-applied moderation think or maintain that a man
can search too far, or be too well studied in the book of God’s word, or the
book of God’s works, divinity or philosophy; but rather let men endeavor an
endless progress or proficience in both. . .”
When I was a child, I spoke and thought
and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now
we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we
will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial
and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now
knows me completely.
and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now
we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we
will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial
and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now
knows me completely.
Three things will last forever—faith,
hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:11-13.
hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:11-13.
This passage reminds me that, from my place here on earth, I
now see things imperfectly. My understandings of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
heaven, hell, life, death, the church, and theological arguments are imperfect.
A day will come when I will know everything completely; but for now, I must be
satisfied with limited knowledge. I must be content to seek to live out this
life to the best of my abilities with incomplete information and therefore
recognize that I will likely make some wrong choices compared to the choices I
would make if I had complete knowledge. I am limited by my time and place in
history. I am limited by my intellectual capacity. I am limited by the specific
circumstances of my life. I am limited by what God allows me to discover in
these imperfect times.
now see things imperfectly. My understandings of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
heaven, hell, life, death, the church, and theological arguments are imperfect.
A day will come when I will know everything completely; but for now, I must be
satisfied with limited knowledge. I must be content to seek to live out this
life to the best of my abilities with incomplete information and therefore
recognize that I will likely make some wrong choices compared to the choices I
would make if I had complete knowledge. I am limited by my time and place in
history. I am limited by my intellectual capacity. I am limited by the specific
circumstances of my life. I am limited by what God allows me to discover in
these imperfect times.
So why is it that I have such a tendency to think that I am
right in any and all theological arguments? I do not think I am alone in this.
When we disagree with others there is a great propensity for us to think that
we have the issue all worked out and that all others must be wrong. The way I
see it must be clear, while others are seeing things as if they were “puzzling
reflections in a mirror.” No, I am pretty sure that 1 Corinthians 13 is directed
to the early Church, all other people, and me! This should make me (and you) more
humble in arguments of all types. As Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) once said, “I beseech
you by the bowels of Christ to think it possible that you may be mistaken.”
right in any and all theological arguments? I do not think I am alone in this.
When we disagree with others there is a great propensity for us to think that
we have the issue all worked out and that all others must be wrong. The way I
see it must be clear, while others are seeing things as if they were “puzzling
reflections in a mirror.” No, I am pretty sure that 1 Corinthians 13 is directed
to the early Church, all other people, and me! This should make me (and you) more
humble in arguments of all types. As Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) once said, “I beseech
you by the bowels of Christ to think it possible that you may be mistaken.”
If today we all see things imperfectly, then let us recognize that
our lives, our homes, our churches, our schools, and our governments will be
imperfect places. We do not yet have a corner on truth. There is only One who
sees things clearly, perfectly, and without error. Therefore, while I am here
on this earth, I will live with greater love for those with whom I disagree.
our lives, our homes, our churches, our schools, and our governments will be
imperfect places. We do not yet have a corner on truth. There is only One who
sees things clearly, perfectly, and without error. Therefore, while I am here
on this earth, I will live with greater love for those with whom I disagree.
Last Sunday night my wife and I went to see
Blue Rodeo in concert at the Calgary Jubilee Auditorium. It was a great show
filled with new music from the 1000 Arms
album and old music from just about every one of their 15 studio albums. This
is a band that has been playing since 1984 – 33 years ago. The entire band is
precise, talented, and professional. Jim Cuddy could be called Canada’s
Gentleman Musician, humble – giving each person in the band their fair share of
the stage lights. He and Greg Keelor have made a great team over the years with
each of them contributing their unique fingerprint to the band craft. They are
like a finely aged bottle of wine that finds flavour from each of its
components. I am sad to see that Greg Keelor can no longer play electric guitar
on stage. He has hearing deficits which mean that the band must rely on
relative newcomer Colin Cripps to play the blistering licks such as those at
the end of “5 Days in May.” But Cripps is phenomenal and contributes much
instrumentally and vocally. Their keyboardist, Mike Boguski is a tremendous player and makes the most of all those Hammond B and keyboard sounds. Glenn Milchem on drums, and Bazil Donovan on bass (vocals on one encore song – Little Old Wine-Drinker Me) fill out the rest of the incredible sound.
Blue Rodeo in concert at the Calgary Jubilee Auditorium. It was a great show
filled with new music from the 1000 Arms
album and old music from just about every one of their 15 studio albums. This
is a band that has been playing since 1984 – 33 years ago. The entire band is
precise, talented, and professional. Jim Cuddy could be called Canada’s
Gentleman Musician, humble – giving each person in the band their fair share of
the stage lights. He and Greg Keelor have made a great team over the years with
each of them contributing their unique fingerprint to the band craft. They are
like a finely aged bottle of wine that finds flavour from each of its
components. I am sad to see that Greg Keelor can no longer play electric guitar
on stage. He has hearing deficits which mean that the band must rely on
relative newcomer Colin Cripps to play the blistering licks such as those at
the end of “5 Days in May.” But Cripps is phenomenal and contributes much
instrumentally and vocally. Their keyboardist, Mike Boguski is a tremendous player and makes the most of all those Hammond B and keyboard sounds. Glenn Milchem on drums, and Bazil Donovan on bass (vocals on one encore song – Little Old Wine-Drinker Me) fill out the rest of the incredible sound.
Jim Cuddy is sometimes melancholy as he
considers his future and the future of the band. In an interview with The
Star.com, given a few years ago, he lamented growing older and said, “The
thought of turning 60 scares me more than anything else ever has before.”[1]
Now at 61, he has surpassed that barrier and has perhaps grown accustomed to
it. Seeing his energy, hearing his amazing vocals, and his continually growing
guitar skills, one would be hard-pressed to guess that he is 61 years old. He
still is one of the greatest gifts of music Canada has ever seen.
considers his future and the future of the band. In an interview with The
Star.com, given a few years ago, he lamented growing older and said, “The
thought of turning 60 scares me more than anything else ever has before.”[1]
Now at 61, he has surpassed that barrier and has perhaps grown accustomed to
it. Seeing his energy, hearing his amazing vocals, and his continually growing
guitar skills, one would be hard-pressed to guess that he is 61 years old. He
still is one of the greatest gifts of music Canada has ever seen.