Thursday, August 31, 2006

Take Hold of life

"Take hold of life" - no passive sitting back and letting life "happen" to you. Instead, take life by the scruff of the neck and live it! Take action now ... don't let another day go past that you will never remember and will be just a grey blur of mediocrity. Instead - stand tall and do something today as if this was the first day of the rest of your life (which it is) and you want to remember this day for eternity. Living life is to be purposeful and full of action - it is not to be merely endured or left to run down to the day we die.

I came across the imperative "take hold" of life when reading something the apostle Paul said to his young disciple Timothy. Here's the verse in full:

"Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses" Paul to Timothy in 1Tim6:12

I may blog another time about taking hold of eternal life another time ... I'll finish with the thought that as we take action today we do so as beings designed for eternity.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

S&C 2: Why is the theory of evolution a problem for some Christians?

To answer the question we need to consider (i) the nature of science and (ii) the nature of the Bible.

1. The nature of science

At its core science is measurement. Without measurement anything that sounds "scientific" is merely speculation. A theory is speculation until measurements are made of something it predicts. When the measurements show something other than what the theory predicted, then the theory is modified. Furthermore, in science measurements must be repeatable.
So, science is limited to that which can be measured. Not surprisingly, this means that it is limited to the physical universe, not the meta-physical or spiritual realm. In terms of God, science can not measure God (there is no ruler long enough) therefore it can say nothing about God's existence or otherwise.

Some scientists, though, have made statements about God that they argue follow from their science. That is, their theories of cosmology or evolution, so they say, prove God does or doesn't exist. When they make these statements they are inferring something and are moving from the realm of science to the realm of religion (or philosophy). Hence, statements to the effect that the theory of evolution proves God doesn't exist are NOT scientific statements, but religious one. I am very careful here to distinguish, therefore, between the scientific theory of evolution, and the philosophy of evolutionISM.

The mistake many Christian's make is not to make the distinction between the science and the philosophy. Too often they attack the science and not the philosophy. A whole industry of "Creation science" has sprung up based on the false premise that the theory of evolution does say God doesn't exist, therefore something must be wrong with the theory. To the contrary, the theory says nothing of the sought. It is just that some people infer that it does. My science background is mainly physics and so I'm not particularly competent to point out the scientific shortcomings of the theory of evolution (all theories have them) - that must be left to more competent scientists. But I can point out the error in inferring that God doesn't exist from the theory of evolution. There is a lot more to be said about Evolutionism and its detrimental effects on society - but that is for another time.

2. The nature of the Bible
Some Christians believe they must oppose the theory of evolution because the Bible teachers creation science. Unfortunately, this misunderstands what the Bible is. The Bible explains "who" created and "why" not "how." I can say this with utmost confidence because the first scientific writings that concentrated on "how" in a science sense were written some 1500 years or more after the last of the Biblical books were written. In other words, the scientific genre of writing is a relatively modern one - we must not think that the writers of the Bible engaged in it.

To give you an idea of why there are creation stories (there are two) in the Bible it would be a good idea for people to compare Biblical creation stories with others that were around in the Middle East 3000 years ago. In the Genesis the common words for Sun and Moon are not used - why? Because the words for Sun and Moon were words for Gods according to the religions of the people surrounding the Hebrews. The Bible very carefully points out the the "light of the day" and "light of the night" are but "mere" creations of the one creator God. This is not science - it is religion.

When we read the Bible we often have to distinguish the genre we are reading - is it narrating a story, is it intended to be historical, is it commands (if so, who to(, is it poetry. One thing we can be sure of and that is it is not science. For example Job 9:6 "He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble" and Psalm 75:3 "When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm" suggest the earth has pillars holding it up - at least they should suggest that to the person who reads the Bible as literal scientific fact. Obviously, we all read these as poetic analogies, even though it may have been that the people who first heard these words believed them literally.

The Bible is a wonderful book that teaches me about my faith and my God - it contains many mysteries for me, but one thing I am sure of, and that is that the Bible is not a scientific text book.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Work 2: Grief

Grief is not just the emotion we feel when a loved one dies, but is also present when we have to let go of that which is precious to us. In our modern world where no job is gauranteed for life this includes, at times, letting go of the work environment, the colleagues, and our creations. With grief can also come shock when the loss is unexpected and out of our control. Grief is the base emotion with tears, jokes, anger all being exhibited. Grief is also a very natural reaction ... not something to be ashamed of or avoided.

Platitudes and new strategies as to "how to deal with grief" or stress relieving exercises are not likely to be particularly useful or welcome just at the moment. What I think the whole of the College needs now is one big hug ... I can't do that, but I'll pray for it from someone who has wide enough arms.

The values of the draft curriculum

I've just read the section on values in the new draft curriculum put out by the MOE. What struck me was that it didn't really talk about values at all. Instead it talked out things we should value. These are not the same things.

For example, it suggests we should value "diversity" and teach that to the students. Diversity is not a value. It is simply a state of being. For example a class room may or may not be ethnically diverse, in that it may have few or many ethnicities represented. I'm assuming that the MOE is not saying that we should value oneclass above another according to the numbers of ethnicities represented!

The problem with the modern obsession about values education is that it avoids all talk of virtues. It also assumes that values are to be taught rather than modeled.

When I think of virtues I think of honest, integrity, generosity, humility. Unfortunately, not all these virtues fit into the philosophies dominant in education.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

S&C 1: A big question

Over the past few weeks both Christians and non-Christians have asked me questions relating to the interaction of my religious faith and science. Not surprising really given that I've PhD in Physics, yet walk around campus with a cross on my shirt. The questions have included "Do you believe in Evolution?" "Aren't Christianity and Science in conflict?" "Do you believe in Adam and Eve as real people?". Some of the questions are predicated by assumptions about what the person themselves believes - either as a Christian or as a non-Christian. In the non-Christian's situation it appears to me that what they think Christians believe about science is based on their encounters with one or two Christians and perhaps on a bit of news media (especially from the US).

Anyway, I've decided to blog a bit on this and will preface these blogs as S&C blogs. I'll look at the nature of science, the nature of religious belief, what the Bible says and doesn't say about science and more.

Work 1: An Angel at Reception

I've decided to begin a series of blogs on the subject of work/study. From a Christian perspective I wonder if sometimes we don't get our focus right in this area. I hope what I have to say will be of interest to both Christians and non-Christians.

It was wonderful to see at a reception in one work place someone wearing little pink angel's wings the other day ... I gather this "craziness" is part of a reaction to recent proposals to change things. It says to me something very important - "Hey, look at us, we are humans who like to have fun, even while we work and not matter how others value our work, we value ourselves and our own little community." In other words - work and the work place exist for us, not us for work.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

The realities of life

Yesterday I was happily wandering about the campus talking to various people and putting up notices about this new Blog when I met P. It was his first day back on campus after a break. The break had been caused by the sudden death of his Father. P - our prayers go to God for your continued strength and resilience through this tough time.

Both Work places and places of study are not really set up to deal with the realities of life. Inevitably, efficiency and timetabling are the name of the game. Unfortunately, this tends to try and squeeze everyone into the same mold. Whilst exceptional circumstances can result in exceptional adjustments to routine. It is routine that dominates. Occasionally "life" interrupts the "machine" of a work or study place. At least it often seems to be an interruption to those immersed in a routine. Maybe, we should think of it the other way around. Life events - even the tragic ones, but also the "minor" ones like a child's first steps, or a wedding to celebrate, are really what life is about. These events often don't fit routine or happen at "convenient" moments. I think that is as it should be. We need to learn that work and study, as important as they may be, are not the goal and purpose of life, but merely part of a much larger picture. When they begin to dominate then, perhaps, we have begun to idolatrise our work or study place.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Disestablished

In one work place this is a bit of a "dirty word" as people struggle to come to terms with change. I feel totally inadequate to do much to help those whose positions have been disestablished in the past couple of weeks. By God's grace, though, my prayers and those of others will assist people to see themselves in God's light - unrepeatable, miraculous, creations designed for the purpose of loving.

Chaplain in Class

I got to attend a couple of classes recently. It was a great experience!

It reminded me of what a privilege it is to teach children. To open their eyes to the wonder of the world about them is a fantastic thing to do. I think if by the end of their schooling a pupil still has a sense of wonder and a well developed curiosity then the teachers have done a great job!

What's Da Vinci got to do with it?

Hands up whose read/seen the Da Vinci code? A good yarn I reckon - but not a new one - the first conspiracy theories about Jesus being married to Mary of Magdala were in the 13th Century! From a purely historical point of view it has less going for it than Elvis being alive and the moon landings being fake. As a novel - it's a page turner, but not high class literature. Why then is it such a phenomenon? Could it be simply that we like to bag the establishments (in this case the Roman Catholic church)? Maybe - it is that we still don't know what to do with Jesus - we try and make him human, just like us. Funnily enough - Christianity has always claimed he's fully human. There's no evidence at all that he had a child - but I'm sure he was biologically capable. It's that other bit about him - that he claimed divinity - that tends to be the stumbling block. After all, Christianity has shaped much of the Western world - if it is based on a man who claimed to be God, yet was a liar or deceived, then much of the foundation of our civilization is based on the words of a madman! Kinda tricky isn't it?

My role as Chaplain

My role as a Chaplain is to walk beside you from time to time on your journey. For how long and what part of your journey depends a lot on you. I am on campus not just for Christian students, although, obviously, I come from a Christian perspective. For those of you with other faiths or no-religious affiliation, please do not hesitate to seek me out – I may be able to help you talk some things through. For the Christian students on campus – studying can be pretty intense. It can also throw up some unexpected challenges to your faith. I am here to listen and support you with your decision making, your understanding of who you are and what God wants of you, and with any issues – theological or secular – that you just want an opportunity to discuss.


About me – obviously I am a Christian. I worship at St Christopher’s Anglican church in Avonhead. I have a degree in theology from the UK that took me seven years part-time during which I never once spoke with a tutor of lecturer! My main focus in life is to be the husband and Father God wants me to be. This said, I have had a lot of experience at juggling the demands of study, family, and work.

I think I have a pretty good understanding of what it means to be a student. I spent 6 ½ years studying Physics at the University of Canterbury in the 80s and then some years as a research scientist. More recently I spent about 7 years running support services for international students. In the last couple of years I have had my own businesses, one of which has involved training a lot of other people in pastoral care of international students.

¬1Peter 3:15 “…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” describes what I see as my mission.
Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God…” comes to my mind when I think about my favourite hobby. Guess the hobby.
My favourite Biblical word – Grace and the verse to go with it 1John 1:9 “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Poem: Lament for a child lost overseas

I came with broken heart
It has gone cold
Ice pierces my soul

Was giving my child to you not enough
That you must break her too

Broken wings don’t fly
Time is no healer
There is no relief in metaphors
Platitudes don’t bring justice

As for you High and Mighty one
Aloof, distant, cold
Do you not care
Do you not remember
His body broken on the tree
His pierced side
His anguished cry

Did you grieve as I grieve
Suffer as I suffer
Weep as I weep

You warmed his heart
Warm hers
Shatter the ice, melt the darkness
My God, My God, do not abandon us

The lament is dedicated to the Chinese father who lost his son through violence on our shores a few weeks ago and to all those who bring children into the world with such hope and joy only to find someone violently strips it from them.

Article: Thursday's in Black

My antidote to rape, violence and discrimination

We are right to grieve, anger, and protest at rape, violence and discrimination.

Rape – is it the ultimate evil? Certainly it is close. There is no excuse. It doesn’t matter that we live in a sex obsessed culture, it doesn’t matter if her dress was skimpy or her actions flirtatious – rape is wrong – always wrong. Thank God we all agree on that – let us never forget.

Violence – painful, destructive, and nearly always avoidable. The final nail in my pacifist coffin was walking through Auschwitz and seeing the piles of human hair – cut off for the stuffing of mattresses. Some violence must be resisted – even with violence. My protest is that we do violence against those we are called to protect and love – our lovers, our children, our parents. Such violence is on the increase signalling that we live in a broken and confused culture … children are growing up seeing violence as a normal everyday thing in their home, as part of their games and on their TV … adults too are confused - many of the same ones who are arguing that using reasonable physical force (a tap on the hand) to discipline one’s own child is an act of violence also willingly support the slicing and dicing of 18,000 children a year whilst they are in the safest room of the house – their mother’s womb. Confusion reigns. We need to reassert the God given dignity of every human being.

Discrimination – comes out of fear. Fear of difference and fear of losing status. It would be a boring world if we were all the same. Our differences can and should be enjoyed. Yet, we must learn to discriminate between the person and their actions. It is not wrong to say to those who are Political opponents, of another religion, or with differing expressions of sexuality – I disagree with you, I do not like what you do. Open and honest debate about what is good or not good for society or about what is right or wrong should be promoted and sought after. However, we must distinguish between someone’s action and their underlying humanity and learn to continually treat them with dignity and respect.

My antidote to rape, violence and discrimination must be in how I view other human beings – all human beings. If I were to view them as merely a collection of biochemicals with conscience a product of a soulless random process that has no ultimate meaning then I have no basis on which to treat them with any form of respect – what we say and do to each other is meaningless – anything goes. If I were to view all humans as mere puppets in the hands of a capricious power or powers such that, if I’m lucky, I may possibly influence the powers for my benefit – though more likely the stars will dictate what happens, then I have no hope as I am always destined to fail and it doesn’t really matter if I am violent or not. No, I take my cue from God – all are created equal in the image of a loving God. When I look upon someone else – I see a being created for love by love, no matter how unlovely they may appear at my flawed first sight. Do I succeed in this goal all the time? Of course not – but I must strive for it, anything else would be subhuman and destined to fail.