Perhaps as a follow-up
to my post of a few days ago, these words of the great science writer, Lewis
Thomas would be appropriate.
to my post of a few days ago, these words of the great science writer, Lewis
Thomas would be appropriate.
Of
all celestial bodies within reach or view, as far as we can see, out to the
edge, the most wonderful and marvelous and mysterious is turning out to be our
own planet earth. There is nothing to match it anywhere, not yet anyway.
all celestial bodies within reach or view, as far as we can see, out to the
edge, the most wonderful and marvelous and mysterious is turning out to be our
own planet earth. There is nothing to match it anywhere, not yet anyway.
From
Late Night Thoughts on Listening to
Mahler’s Ninth by Lewis Thomas, copyright © 1983 by Lewis Thomas.
There has been much speculation in recent
days about the possible discovery of a habitable planet in the Proxima Centauri
solar system. Just as our star, called the Sun, has a collection of planets in
orbit around it, the closest star to our Sun may have planets in orbit around
it. In the August 25, 2016 edition of Nature,
a team of researchers presents evidence suggesting that a planet with mass
slightly larger than Earth (1.3 times the mass of earth) is cozied up to the Proxima
Centauri star in a tight 11.2 day orbit. Think about how fast a year would go
by on that planet. (Personally, I am glad that I was born on Earth rather than
this planet since an orbit like that would make me more than 1,800 years old.)
The new planet has been given the uninspiring name “Proxima b.”
days about the possible discovery of a habitable planet in the Proxima Centauri
solar system. Just as our star, called the Sun, has a collection of planets in
orbit around it, the closest star to our Sun may have planets in orbit around
it. In the August 25, 2016 edition of Nature,
a team of researchers presents evidence suggesting that a planet with mass
slightly larger than Earth (1.3 times the mass of earth) is cozied up to the Proxima
Centauri star in a tight 11.2 day orbit. Think about how fast a year would go
by on that planet. (Personally, I am glad that I was born on Earth rather than
this planet since an orbit like that would make me more than 1,800 years old.)
The new planet has been given the uninspiring name “Proxima b.”
Now, of course, many other planets, have
been discovered around other stars in our universe and so Proxima b is not
novel in that sense. What makes this planet particularly notable is the fact
that it might exist within a narrow window of conditions known as the habitable
zone. Initial evidence suggests that the temperature on the planet might be suitable
for liquid water on the surface. It may have an atmosphere and there may be
portions of the planet on which it may be a reasonable temperature for life (as
we know it) to survive. The tight orbit suggests that it may be tidally locked[1]
(meaning that it always shows the same face to the sun – as our moon always
shows the same face to the earth) and so one side of the planet is in perpetual
day and one side perpetual night. This is certainly a strike against it being a
habitable world.
been discovered around other stars in our universe and so Proxima b is not
novel in that sense. What makes this planet particularly notable is the fact
that it might exist within a narrow window of conditions known as the habitable
zone. Initial evidence suggests that the temperature on the planet might be suitable
for liquid water on the surface. It may have an atmosphere and there may be
portions of the planet on which it may be a reasonable temperature for life (as
we know it) to survive. The tight orbit suggests that it may be tidally locked[1]
(meaning that it always shows the same face to the sun – as our moon always
shows the same face to the earth) and so one side of the planet is in perpetual
day and one side perpetual night. This is certainly a strike against it being a
habitable world.
Of course news like this caused quite a
stir and led to a lot of conjecture about how we might visit or colonize
Proxima b. But, let’s make a few things clear, in astronomical distances, this
potential planet is very close: only 4 light years away. This means that a
photon of light traveling from Proxima Centauri takes only 4 years to get here.
Some stars are so far away that they take thousands or billions of years to get
to us. But, using todays propulsion methods which can achieve speeds of 0.005%
of the speed of light, if you launched a very fast ship toward Proxima b, it
would get there in about 80,000 years[2].
So, don’t let anyone fool you into booking your next vacation on an exotic
planet in the Proxima Centauri system. You won’t live long enough to get there
and your rocket would not have sufficient fuel to make the trip. Other, faster,
modes of transportation have been proposed but those are still in development
and right now are closer to science fiction than true science.
stir and led to a lot of conjecture about how we might visit or colonize
Proxima b. But, let’s make a few things clear, in astronomical distances, this
potential planet is very close: only 4 light years away. This means that a
photon of light traveling from Proxima Centauri takes only 4 years to get here.
Some stars are so far away that they take thousands or billions of years to get
to us. But, using todays propulsion methods which can achieve speeds of 0.005%
of the speed of light, if you launched a very fast ship toward Proxima b, it
would get there in about 80,000 years[2].
So, don’t let anyone fool you into booking your next vacation on an exotic
planet in the Proxima Centauri system. You won’t live long enough to get there
and your rocket would not have sufficient fuel to make the trip. Other, faster,
modes of transportation have been proposed but those are still in development
and right now are closer to science fiction than true science.
Still, a science nerd can dream. Such
discoveries do spur the imagination. Imagine if we could find a way to travel
at 20 percent of the speed of light and get there in a few decades. Could this
be a place where humans might extend our reach and colonize another planet?
What might we find on such a planet? Or, are the distances just too great to
ever get a good look at Proxima b?
discoveries do spur the imagination. Imagine if we could find a way to travel
at 20 percent of the speed of light and get there in a few decades. Could this
be a place where humans might extend our reach and colonize another planet?
What might we find on such a planet? Or, are the distances just too great to
ever get a good look at Proxima b?
Works Cited
Crockett, Christopher. “Signs
of planet detected around sun’s nearest neighbor star.” Science News.
08 24, 2016.
of planet detected around sun’s nearest neighbor star.” Science News.
08 24, 2016.
(accessed 08 29, 2016).
Siefried, Tom. “Visits to Proxima
Centauri’s planet are probably millennia away.” Science News. 08
25, 2016.
Centauri’s planet are probably millennia away.” Science News. 08
25, 2016.
(accessed 08 29, 2016).
Wall, Mike. “Found! Potentially Earth-Like
Planet at Proxima Centauri Is Closest Ever.” Space.com. 08 24,
2016. http://www.space.com/33834-discovery-of-planet-proxima-b.html (accessed
08 31, 2016).
Planet at Proxima Centauri Is Closest Ever.” Space.com. 08 24,
2016. http://www.space.com/33834-discovery-of-planet-proxima-b.html (accessed
08 31, 2016).
[1] Wall, Mike. “Found! Potentially
Earth-Like Planet at Proxima Centauri Is Closest Ever.” Space.com.
08 24, 2016. http://www.space.com/33834-discovery-of-planet-proxima-b.html
(accessed 08 31, 2016)
Earth-Like Planet at Proxima Centauri Is Closest Ever.” Space.com.
08 24, 2016. http://www.space.com/33834-discovery-of-planet-proxima-b.html
(accessed 08 31, 2016)
[2] “Visits to Proxima Centauri’s planet are probably millennia away;” Science News, August 25, 2016, http://bit.ly/2bx1uyX; accessed
2016-08-29.
2016-08-29.
Everything of importance has been said
before by somebody who did not discover it.– Alfred North Whitehead (English mathematician & philosopher; 1861 –
1947)
Works Cited:
“Quote of the Day”; http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/26863.html; Accessed 2016-08-28
Looking back over the last 40 to 50 years, one of the
areas of greatest technological change has been our means of communicating with
one another. Future blogs in this series will discuss such technologies as the
internet, cell phones, and social media. Today, I will let Nora Jane Struthers
and her band, The Party Line,
demonstrate one facet of technology and the social change it brought. They do this with the lyrics of their
song, “Party Line.”
areas of greatest technological change has been our means of communicating with
one another. Future blogs in this series will discuss such technologies as the
internet, cell phones, and social media. Today, I will let Nora Jane Struthers
and her band, The Party Line,
demonstrate one facet of technology and the social change it brought. They do this with the lyrics of their
song, “Party Line.”
The concept of the “party line”[1]
is well known to rural settings of the 1950s and 60s in Canada. In the Central
Alberta farming area where I grew up, farms had telephone systems in which
as many as two dozen farms would share one line and users were given a
distinctive ring cadence for which they would listen. One long ring, followed
by two short rings, and another long ring, was one such cadence and was the
ring for which my family would listen. I remember, as a small boy, being
shushed so that my parents could listen closely to distinguish the ring and
whether or not the call was meant for us. Of course, people came to know other
people’s ring cadences as well and we could tell who it was that would be
picking up the call. If you wanted to know your neighbour’s business (and who
didn’t) you could quietly pick up the receiver and listen in on another farm’s
call. A click on the line was a small indicator that someone else had picked
up. (Heavy breathing from a third party was a big indication.)
is well known to rural settings of the 1950s and 60s in Canada. In the Central
Alberta farming area where I grew up, farms had telephone systems in which
as many as two dozen farms would share one line and users were given a
distinctive ring cadence for which they would listen. One long ring, followed
by two short rings, and another long ring, was one such cadence and was the
ring for which my family would listen. I remember, as a small boy, being
shushed so that my parents could listen closely to distinguish the ring and
whether or not the call was meant for us. Of course, people came to know other
people’s ring cadences as well and we could tell who it was that would be
picking up the call. If you wanted to know your neighbour’s business (and who
didn’t) you could quietly pick up the receiver and listen in on another farm’s
call. A click on the line was a small indicator that someone else had picked
up. (Heavy breathing from a third party was a big indication.)
In the song “Party Line,” Nora Jane and band are
singing about the transformation that occurred when that “electric wire” of the
telephone began to connect home to home. She laments that “no one ever comes to
call” and sit around on the “back porch,” to “chew the fat.” There are some
things you just can’t see, smell, or feel through an electric wire.
singing about the transformation that occurred when that “electric wire” of the
telephone began to connect home to home. She laments that “no one ever comes to
call” and sit around on the “back porch,” to “chew the fat.” There are some
things you just can’t see, smell, or feel through an electric wire.
Party
Line
Line
(Words and Music by Nora Jane Struthers)
Imagine my surprise when they came down the drive
With that big spool of electric wire
I didn’t understand exactly what they meant
But they said “When we’re finished you can talk with all your friends”
With that big spool of electric wire
I didn’t understand exactly what they meant
But they said “When we’re finished you can talk with all your friends”
Right inside our own house without going out
Seemed like nothing new but who am I to doubt
The magic power of an electric wire
The magic power of an electric wire
Now we’re all on the party line
I can’t hardly get a word in edgewise
Everyone’s on that party line
But no one ever comes to call
Why don’t you call?
We used to chew the fat. Do you remember that?
Back when time moved slow as the pine tree sap
Seeping up through the boards right here on my back porch
You know you used to love the smell of the magnolias in the morning
Back when time moved slow as the pine tree sap
Seeping up through the boards right here on my back porch
You know you used to love the smell of the magnolias in the morning
Now you telephone and this don’t feel like home
Without your foot tapping while I put the coffee on
And I can’t see your smile through an electric wire
Without your foot tapping while I put the coffee on
And I can’t see your smile through an electric wire
Now we’re all on the party line
I can’t hardly get a word in edgewise
Everyone’s on that party line
But no one ever comes to call
Why don’t you call?
I can’t hardly get a word in edgewise
Everyone’s on that party line
But no one ever comes to call
Why don’t you call?
[1] Wikipedia, “Party Line,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_line_(telephony);
accessed 2016-08-27.
accessed 2016-08-27.
Sandra McCracken is
one of my favourite song-writers. She has a great ability to write haunting songs
that stir our emotions. “Portadown Station” is but one example. It is a simple
story of someone on the road, loving the experience but missing someone at
home. The lyrics, “I hear your voice in my head, but I miss the sound,” express the loneliness well. Here are the rest of the lyrics.
Portadown Station
|
(Words and music by Sandra
McCracken from the album Gravity Love) |
|
|
Sunset view from the
train
Across these Irish plains
Rolling like the songs that are in my head
Portadown Station and another hotel bed
train
Across these Irish plains
Rolling like the songs that are in my head
Portadown Station and another hotel bed
We pass through another town
the people swell in and out
I search the crowd for a face that I know
A thousand tales of a thousand years long ago
Just get on board, take that last train out
I hear your voice in my head, but I miss the sound
Here at the station outside Portadown
looking for something real
matches, knives and steel
with open wide eyes, the sun goes dark
you can’t touch or feel a broken heart
Just get on board, take that last train out
I hear your voice in my head, but I miss the sound
Here at the station outside Portadown
so drain the light from the sky
and drain the tears from my eyes
I’m waiting like the shadows stretching thin
Could you hide me here ’till the morning comes again
Just get on board, take that last train out
I hear your voice in my head, but I miss the sound
Here at the station outside Portadown
I hear your voice in my head, but I miss the sound
Here at the station outside Portadown
Outside Portadown
Outside the station
Outside of Portadown
Sunday morning was a great day for Canadian
Athletes as the Olympic Games came to a close. As I went about getting ready for
my day, I found myself strangely transfixed by the Marathon. Then, as the
screen split into two and CBC began broadcasting the closing press conference
of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), I found the words of the President of
the COC, Tricia Smith, almost as engaging. Smith has been a strong spokesperson
for sport in Canada and her words from Rio were effusive and inspiring. She had
praise for the many podium appearances of Canadian athletes and noted how successful
Team Canada had been; but her praise was not just for those who won medals. Her
speech made note of the many athletes who had shown great determination and integrity.
She highlighted athletes such as Evan Dunfee, the Racewalker who came in tenth
in the 20 km Walk and fourth in the 50 km Walk. Dunfee showed great respect for his fellow-athletes as, in one case, he encouraged the French Racewalker who struggled
to complete the race. Then, in an act of sportsmanship, Dunfee did not challenge the
50 km Walk results after the Japanese athlete, Hirooki Arai, bumped Dunfee. Officials
considered disqualifying the Japanese Bronze Medalist. Later, Dunfee and Arai happily posed for a photo together.
Athletes as the Olympic Games came to a close. As I went about getting ready for
my day, I found myself strangely transfixed by the Marathon. Then, as the
screen split into two and CBC began broadcasting the closing press conference
of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), I found the words of the President of
the COC, Tricia Smith, almost as engaging. Smith has been a strong spokesperson
for sport in Canada and her words from Rio were effusive and inspiring. She had
praise for the many podium appearances of Canadian athletes and noted how successful
Team Canada had been; but her praise was not just for those who won medals. Her
speech made note of the many athletes who had shown great determination and integrity.
She highlighted athletes such as Evan Dunfee, the Racewalker who came in tenth
in the 20 km Walk and fourth in the 50 km Walk. Dunfee showed great respect for his fellow-athletes as, in one case, he encouraged the French Racewalker who struggled
to complete the race. Then, in an act of sportsmanship, Dunfee did not challenge the
50 km Walk results after the Japanese athlete, Hirooki Arai, bumped Dunfee. Officials
considered disqualifying the Japanese Bronze Medalist. Later, Dunfee and Arai happily posed for a photo together.
Meanwhile, Eric Gillis, in a race dominated
by Kenyan and Ethiopian Athletes, came in tenth in the grueling Olympic
Marathon. Top ten showings in international competitions are one measurement of
an athlete’s success and are rightly considered a mark of excellence. This was
an amazing success for a Canadian marathoner, and coupled with an American
Bronze medal in this sport, bodes well for western marathoners in a sport that
has largely been about the competition between African athletes.
by Kenyan and Ethiopian Athletes, came in tenth in the grueling Olympic
Marathon. Top ten showings in international competitions are one measurement of
an athlete’s success and are rightly considered a mark of excellence. This was
an amazing success for a Canadian marathoner, and coupled with an American
Bronze medal in this sport, bodes well for western marathoners in a sport that
has largely been about the competition between African athletes.
As the Marathon reached the 42 km mark, Tricia
Smith also spoke of the values that have led to a successful Olympics for the
Canadian team. She spelled it out in four points that would make a preacher
proud.
Smith also spoke of the values that have led to a successful Olympics for the
Canadian team. She spelled it out in four points that would make a preacher
proud.
Heart – as a synonym for determination,
Canadian Olympic athletes show great “heart” in both training for, and
competing in, the games.
Canadian Olympic athletes show great “heart” in both training for, and
competing in, the games.
Integrity – Evan Dunfee spoke of his team-mates
and other international race-walkers with whom he trains who choose to compete
clean in a sport that is sometimes marred by doping. He challenges the entire
Olympic community with his commitment to integrity.
and other international race-walkers with whom he trains who choose to compete
clean in a sport that is sometimes marred by doping. He challenges the entire
Olympic community with his commitment to integrity.
Respect – Canadian athletes made us proud
with their respect for world-class athletes from around the world. They cheered
for each other and cheered for the best qualities of athletes from other
countries. They behaved themselves in Rio and made us all proud.
with their respect for world-class athletes from around the world. They cheered
for each other and cheered for the best qualities of athletes from other
countries. They behaved themselves in Rio and made us all proud.
Team – Smith also gave a strong affirmation
to teamwork as she noted the strength that is apparent as one person rises to the
challenge when another is having an off day. She emphasised that sport is about
being a team in every sense of the word.
to teamwork as she noted the strength that is apparent as one person rises to the
challenge when another is having an off day. She emphasised that sport is about
being a team in every sense of the word.
Both the athletic competitions and Smith’s
words give Canadians a sense of pride as we seek to be a country where great
results and great humility are celebrated. Smith continues to show her commitment
to the ideals of sport which she addressed on the day she was chosen as the
President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. Her words on that day are a
bookend to her words on August 21, 2016.
words give Canadians a sense of pride as we seek to be a country where great
results and great humility are celebrated. Smith continues to show her commitment
to the ideals of sport which she addressed on the day she was chosen as the
President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. Her words on that day are a
bookend to her words on August 21, 2016.
“I feel enormously
privileged and grateful that our sport community has entrusted me today with
the leadership of the COC. It’s an honour I accept with pride and gratitude at
a time when the eyes of the country are upon us. Based on my platform, this
endorsement sends a clear message that our members embrace the values of sport
and expect integrity. I will be a champion for creating a safe and inclusive
environment for our employees and all those involved in the Olympic Movement in
this country. I will be a tireless advocate for unity, inclusiveness and
collaboration with our many partners. We now enter an Olympic year with great
excitement and anticipation. We must be at our best. We will do everything in
our power to ensure we create an optimal environment for Rio 2016, so our
athletes and coaches can be the very best they can be.” – Tricia Smith,
President of the Canadian Olympic Committee (November 22, 2015)
privileged and grateful that our sport community has entrusted me today with
the leadership of the COC. It’s an honour I accept with pride and gratitude at
a time when the eyes of the country are upon us. Based on my platform, this
endorsement sends a clear message that our members embrace the values of sport
and expect integrity. I will be a champion for creating a safe and inclusive
environment for our employees and all those involved in the Olympic Movement in
this country. I will be a tireless advocate for unity, inclusiveness and
collaboration with our many partners. We now enter an Olympic year with great
excitement and anticipation. We must be at our best. We will do everything in
our power to ensure we create an optimal environment for Rio 2016, so our
athletes and coaches can be the very best they can be.” – Tricia Smith,
President of the Canadian Olympic Committee (November 22, 2015)
A friend of mine is in the hospital right
now and is undergoing chemo-therapy and a bone marrow transplant to rescue him
from cancer. In the midst of it, they did an MRI of his brain and discovered a
tumour outside of the brain but inside of the head. You might ask, “Why would
one person have to go through so much?” Of course my friend and his wife will
ask questions such as this, but I also see them exemplifying a life of hope in
the midst of great difficulties. Despite what they are going through, they are
trusting God to lead them through it. They do not know where this journey will
lead but they know that God will go with them in it. This afternoon we read
part of Psalm 139 together and prayed. Psalm 139:13-18 says,
You made all the delicate, inner
parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts
about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
God knows all about our bodies. He knows how all of the blood vessels in
our body are connected. He knows about blood/brain barriers. He knows how many
hairs are on our heads or, in my friend’s case, how many hairs are not on his
head right now. He made us and He cares for us. He knows how many days we have
on this earth. Both God and we know that the number of days we have on this
earth are indeed finite. Yet, we pray that my friend has many more sweet days
of life with his wife here on this earth. Regardless of how many days we have on
this earth, may we all seek to live those days with God. In all that we do, may
we agree with the psalmist, and say God, “you are still with me.”
Out of the many
people with whom I would like to spend some time, I think I would have enjoyed
sitting down for an afternoon of conversation with Bernard Ramm. Ramm, the Baptist theologian
who wrote much on such topics as hermeneutics, and apologetics, would have
been an interesting person with whom to have a visit, for he was well versed in
the discussion of religion and science. His first love was science and he
studied chemistry at the University of Washington before turning to the Philosophy
of Science. The following two quotes from his prolific writings give us an
insight into his mind and how he saw faith, theology, science, and philosophy.
people with whom I would like to spend some time, I think I would have enjoyed
sitting down for an afternoon of conversation with Bernard Ramm. Ramm, the Baptist theologian
who wrote much on such topics as hermeneutics, and apologetics, would have
been an interesting person with whom to have a visit, for he was well versed in
the discussion of religion and science. His first love was science and he
studied chemistry at the University of Washington before turning to the Philosophy
of Science. The following two quotes from his prolific writings give us an
insight into his mind and how he saw faith, theology, science, and philosophy.
Contemporary philosophy, contemporary theology, and contemporary science
may be very unfriendly to evangelical theology. They seem to be opening all
sorts of doors and windows to let in soul-chilling drafts of air. But … the
Word of God in our hearts should drive out fear—fear of an unexpected discovery
in science or archeology or psychology or sociology. Not that in each instance
evangelicals should rise up and refute the distressing charge. Christians are
in this for the long haul, and vexing problems of today may well be resolved by
tomorrow.[1]
may be very unfriendly to evangelical theology. They seem to be opening all
sorts of doors and windows to let in soul-chilling drafts of air. But … the
Word of God in our hearts should drive out fear—fear of an unexpected discovery
in science or archeology or psychology or sociology. Not that in each instance
evangelicals should rise up and refute the distressing charge. Christians are
in this for the long haul, and vexing problems of today may well be resolved by
tomorrow.[1]
Might we sometimes
feel a cold chill in the air of contemporary science? Certainly there are some
who would believe that they can destroy the Word of God in our hearts with
words of solid or dubious science. But Bernard Ramm is quick to point out that
such disturbing questions may only be problems for which we have not yet found
a solution.
feel a cold chill in the air of contemporary science? Certainly there are some
who would believe that they can destroy the Word of God in our hearts with
words of solid or dubious science. But Bernard Ramm is quick to point out that
such disturbing questions may only be problems for which we have not yet found
a solution.
In theological studies one should not prematurely judge that a disturbing
question or problem has no solution. Granted, there is a fine line between
dodging an issue and patiently waiting for a solution. Aware of this,
nevertheless I have maintained that a problem that at the present seems
impossible to resolve may yet be resolved in the future. And in many instances
this has been my own experience.[2]
question or problem has no solution. Granted, there is a fine line between
dodging an issue and patiently waiting for a solution. Aware of this,
nevertheless I have maintained that a problem that at the present seems
impossible to resolve may yet be resolved in the future. And in many instances
this has been my own experience.[2]
Despite the fact
that these words were written in 1954, I find them amazingly resilient and
fresh. They stand well against the test of time and give me further confidence
in the words of the Bible. For it is in 1 John 4:17-18a that we read, “And as
we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the
day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus
here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.”
(NLT)
that these words were written in 1954, I find them amazingly resilient and
fresh. They stand well against the test of time and give me further confidence
in the words of the Bible. For it is in 1 John 4:17-18a that we read, “And as
we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the
day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus
here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.”
(NLT)
Works Cited
Ramm, Bernard. The Christian
View of Science and Scripture. 1954.
View of Science and Scripture. 1954.
[1] Ramm,
The Christian View of Science
and Scripture (1954), 64.
The Christian View of Science
and Scripture (1954), 64.
[2] Ramm,
The Christian View of Science
and Scripture (1954),
2.
The Christian View of Science
and Scripture (1954),
2.
We know that we can act and that our actions produce results. Everyone who believes in God must therefore admit (quite apart from the question of prayer) that God has not chosen to write the whole of history with His own hand. Most of the events that go on in the universe are indeed out of our control, but not all. It is like a play in which the scene and the general outline of the story is fixed by the author, but certain minor details are left for the actors to improvise. It may be a mystery why He should have allowed us to cause real events at all, but it is no odder that He should allow us to cause them by praying than by any other method.
Pascal
says that God “instituted prayer in order to allow His creatures the dignity of
causality.” It would perhaps be truer to say that He invented both prayer and
physical action for that purpose. He gave us small creatures the dignity of
being able to contribute to the course of events in two different ways. He made
the matter of the universe such that we can (in those limits) do things to it;
that is why we can wash our own hands and feed or murder our fellow creatures.
Similarly, He made His own plan or plot of history such that it admits a
certain amount of free play and can be modified in response to our prayers.
-
C.S. Lewis in “Work and Prayer” and
republished in God in the Dock, 1970.
C.S. Lewis has a way of saying things that
helps me to “get it.” Here he helps me to understand the agency God has given
us. We truly are “small creatures” in a very large universe, and yet God has
given us the ability to change our neighbourhood, our city, or even our world.
We can do physical actions to flour, water, and yeast, making bread that did not
exist before we started. With that bread we can feed a family who needs a loaf
of bread. We can change the course of history with our actions.
Perhaps equally surprising is that God has
given us the agency of prayer. Lewis says there is “free play” in God’s plan of
history that can be modified by God in response to our prayers. God’s Kingdom
will come and His will, will be done; but there is “free play” in the will of
God that can be affected. We have an opportunity to influence the Kingdom and
will of God. We can change the course of history with our prayers.
Sometimes when I read
passages of the Bible that I have read many times, they lose their horror for
me. I am not shocked by them anymore. I suspect that this is true for many of
us. That is the way I feel about 2 Samuel 11. It has lost its power to shake up
my world. The actions of King David of Israel should really cause me to ask
questions about this “man after God’s own heart.” But I have heard the story
told since I was a child. So allow me to introduce a thought experiment. Imagine
for a moment that I am reading a news item that tells the following story about
an imaginary country in Europe know as Florin. (You may notice that I have
borrowed a few names from well-known movies and a television series.) I feel
like I need to say, “The places and names are fictional and any resemblance to
King David is intentional.”
Sources
close to the Prime Minister of Florin have begun to reveal a shocking tale of
lust, adultery, betrayal, murder, and cover up. The tiny European republic of
Florin is nestled between Guilder and Genovia, and the head of state is Prime
Minister John Archer. Archer, a former general in the military of Florin, has
had an outstanding career and was highly decorated for his acts of bravery and
military prowess before becoming the country’s leading politician. But his
image has been tarnished and he is at risk of criminal charges after it was
revealed that he may have been involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship.
The concern relates to the former wife of a platoon leader engaged in Florin’s military
action against the country’s rival republic of Guilder.
It
is alleged that while Platoon Leader, Lieutenant Wesley Roberts, was away from
home at the eastern frontlines of battle, Mr. Archer invited Lt. Roberts’ wife,
Cecilia Roberts, over to his home. We do know that a few weeks later Lt.
Roberts was killed in battle under mysterious circumstances. Roberts somehow
ended up cut off from the rest of his platoon deep in enemy territory and was
cut down by enemy sniper fire and died in battle. Prime Minister Archer ordered
a full military funeral and sent condolences to the widow. A few weeks later,
Cecilia Roberts and Mr. Archer entered into a romantic relationship that
culminated with their marriage late last year.
In
early 2016, Cecilia Archer announced that she was pregnant and the world embraced
the storybook romance as two lonely people who found love. But, there were soon
a few whispered questions about the timing of the pregnancy and who the true
father of this baby might be. Then, even more disturbing rumors began to
surface. It was alleged that the Prime Minister used his secret service agents
to deliver a message to one of his Generals at the front lines of battle the
day before Lt. Roberts was killed. It is thought that the message had something
to do with military strategy.
It
has been suggested that John Archer arranged for an “accidental” military death
to cover up the fact that he had gotten Lt. Roberts’ wife pregnant. Neither the
police nor the office of the Chief Magistrate would comment on this story
saying that an investigation is underway and it would be inappropriate to
comment at this time. Many in Florin are asking if the country is being led by
someone who has committed murder. We await the outcome of further
investigations.
Isn’t that the true nature of David’s
crimes? If a world leader did such
things today, we would charge them with murder, abuse of power, unlawful
influence, and a number of other charges. Yet this is exactly what King David
of Israel did around 900 BC. The 2 Samuel 11 story goes
on and finds redemption in the 12th chapter, and we find further
evidence of David’s penitence in Psalm 51. David’s story is one of the best at
explaining what true repentance can look like. Yet, before we can understand
his contrition, we must first understand the true horror of his actions.
Perhaps framing it in this contemporary setting will help to set the stage for
such a transformation.
This blog is an excerpt from a sermon delivered at Bow Valley Christian Church on August 7, 2016. The full sermon can be heard on the BVCC website.