Recent scientific news from Europe's huge Haldron subatomic collider experiment suggests that the elusive "Higgs" particle may soon be identified. In 1964 the Scottish physicist, Peter Higgs, proposed a theoretical solution to resolve the problem of how the building blocks of all sub-atomic particles (quarks, leptons and weak guage bosons) acquire mass. This issue had to be resolved in order to verify the basic underlying theory of quantum physics - the Standard Particle Model.
Working at the various atom smasher units around the globe, hundreds of physicists have struggled to identify such a particle. Publicists of their work claimed that this might be the "missing link" to explain creation and somewhere in that flood of writing there arose the catchy name for it..."the god particle". But a sub-atomic particle ( really a bit of energy and its force field) is very different from the "Origin and Absolute One" which humanity has always called God!
Yet, will this Higgs ("god") particle explain the creation of our universe? No, it will provide more information about how the energy of that "Big Bang" generated into the pattern of matter and force which is our universe of reality. But WHAT SOURCE created the Higg's particle or the energetic speck of matter called the Big Bang? That question is the "hinge point" where scientific investigation and human spirituality meet. In blind isolation from each other, neither science nor spirit can fully answer the question of the origin and evolution of all which has been the substance of human experience.
The huge super collider at CERN may soon discover this Higgs ("god particle"), but it will be the humble human heart on its spiritual quest that will be the "soul-collider" seeking to experience the fullness of the Absolute God of all reality. Hopefully the day will come when both will do their work in unison and harmony!
Franciscan statues on Mt Subasio
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Is Evolution a form of "Scientific Mustard-gas" or a Window into the Mystery of God?
( a continuation of thought...)
When modern Christians seek answers to the basic questions surrounding the origin of our planet, its life and ourselves, they often run into the EVOLUTION controversy. Its like a fast trot through a minefield of some ugly battle. "If you think that it might be true, you'll find yourself LOST and up to your neck in stinking mud!...or touch that intellectual bombshell and you'll be blown right to hell!".... Yet, we may find ourselves running onward, ducking bullets of insult and fear, because we realize that our mind is a powerful part of life and has given us many good things. Can we use its power of observation and reason to INQUIRE about these fundamental questions or must we simply accept what's presented to us and passively INGEST the "religiously correct" answer?
It always amazes me how an intelligent person can sit before their TV and watch the local weatherman describe the meterological elements which compose an advancing storm event. We accept the scientific understanding of variant atmospheric pressure and wind changes in the jet stream and yet, whenever there's a word mentioned about the manner in which this planet's life originated and "unfolded", all hell breaks-out with accusations that the observant Christian can not recognize the "hand" and purpose of God within the findings of science...especially, evolution of this planet's biomass.
One of the FIRST STEPS to be taken by an inquiring mind should be acceptance of the basic reality that God is neither hurt nor angry when we ask questions...even questions about the nature and action of the Divine. In fact, I think that God wants us to wrestle with the Divine Mystery and how it relates to us and to this world. If you need Scripture passages to support this thought, just recall the hundreds of questions thrown-up to God by the Patriarchs, king David, the prophets and even Jesus' disciples.
But now, we get back to the "sticky point" in our conversation. Many Christians will admit that it's true that you can question God; but if you properly search the Bible, you'll find the relevant answers. A return to "authoritative" sources, such as the holy writings, and the comments of church leaders will supply "pre-digested" answers to INGEST (in one big gulp!). But that approach will not allow our INQUIRING mind to search for ansers generated by the world around us. It is true that God has revealed much about the divine nature and purpose to us by means of the Scriptures; but it is also true that creation of the cosmos and its life reveals much about God! Must we conclude that the realities of life, explained to us by scientific discoveries, are invalid when it comes to the question of how life originated and developed on planet Earth? Is it possible that God created that first "spark of life" with at least two intrinsic drives: the ability to unfold itself into increasingly complex structurers of life and also with a strong instinct to seek relationship with the Creator? Our engagement with that possibility may be the path by which we can find the "Christian" God and Creator within the process of evolution! Scientific methodology will never tell us WHO created life, but it may reveal something about the divinely appointed mechanism by which life will achieve its ultimate goal and purpose with the Creator. As this blog continues, let's keep in mind that our search must always include questions (which can generate response from us) to that PURPOSE within the creation. (to be continued..)
PS. If this sounds a bit "edgy", my son recently told me that if you're not living on the edge, you're taking-up too much space!!!
When modern Christians seek answers to the basic questions surrounding the origin of our planet, its life and ourselves, they often run into the EVOLUTION controversy. Its like a fast trot through a minefield of some ugly battle. "If you think that it might be true, you'll find yourself LOST and up to your neck in stinking mud!...or touch that intellectual bombshell and you'll be blown right to hell!".... Yet, we may find ourselves running onward, ducking bullets of insult and fear, because we realize that our mind is a powerful part of life and has given us many good things. Can we use its power of observation and reason to INQUIRE about these fundamental questions or must we simply accept what's presented to us and passively INGEST the "religiously correct" answer?
It always amazes me how an intelligent person can sit before their TV and watch the local weatherman describe the meterological elements which compose an advancing storm event. We accept the scientific understanding of variant atmospheric pressure and wind changes in the jet stream and yet, whenever there's a word mentioned about the manner in which this planet's life originated and "unfolded", all hell breaks-out with accusations that the observant Christian can not recognize the "hand" and purpose of God within the findings of science...especially, evolution of this planet's biomass.
One of the FIRST STEPS to be taken by an inquiring mind should be acceptance of the basic reality that God is neither hurt nor angry when we ask questions...even questions about the nature and action of the Divine. In fact, I think that God wants us to wrestle with the Divine Mystery and how it relates to us and to this world. If you need Scripture passages to support this thought, just recall the hundreds of questions thrown-up to God by the Patriarchs, king David, the prophets and even Jesus' disciples.
But now, we get back to the "sticky point" in our conversation. Many Christians will admit that it's true that you can question God; but if you properly search the Bible, you'll find the relevant answers. A return to "authoritative" sources, such as the holy writings, and the comments of church leaders will supply "pre-digested" answers to INGEST (in one big gulp!). But that approach will not allow our INQUIRING mind to search for ansers generated by the world around us. It is true that God has revealed much about the divine nature and purpose to us by means of the Scriptures; but it is also true that creation of the cosmos and its life reveals much about God! Must we conclude that the realities of life, explained to us by scientific discoveries, are invalid when it comes to the question of how life originated and developed on planet Earth? Is it possible that God created that first "spark of life" with at least two intrinsic drives: the ability to unfold itself into increasingly complex structurers of life and also with a strong instinct to seek relationship with the Creator? Our engagement with that possibility may be the path by which we can find the "Christian" God and Creator within the process of evolution! Scientific methodology will never tell us WHO created life, but it may reveal something about the divinely appointed mechanism by which life will achieve its ultimate goal and purpose with the Creator. As this blog continues, let's keep in mind that our search must always include questions (which can generate response from us) to that PURPOSE within the creation. (to be continued..)
PS. If this sounds a bit "edgy", my son recently told me that if you're not living on the edge, you're taking-up too much space!!!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
? Is it Important or just Navel Lint ?
Saturday afternoon at poolside while taking in some sun, my apartment neighbors seem to have drifted off to other busy activities...I look up at that big blue Texas sky dotted with a few puffy white clouds which drift slowly by me. If they drift slowly, well, maybe I can idle here some more. But my mind keeps running up onto those passing clouds and thoughts jump into my consciousness..."Why are those clouds up there for me to watch?...Even why am I here??...Where did all of this "stuff" come from? As a physician and geneticist, I realize that even the un-winding of the secrets of life by understanding DNA and the physico-chemical nature of life still leave lots of questions unanswered. The ultimate origin and purpose of all this "stuff" in and around me remains a mystery...a question which seeks to be answered.
The Greek philosophers grabbed lint out of their navels, looked at the world and sky around them and, you know what, they had these same questions. They developed very carefully thought-out responses and frequently used complex terminology to describe them which can be obscure to anyone except themselves. But they weren't the first humans to ask these questions (nor the last ones). The early aboriginal tribes left indications of similar thoughts in the form of petroglyphs and traditions. These earlier human cultures had minimal understanding of the basic natural forces which have been better revealed to us by modern science. I wonder...suppose they were "time-traveled" forward into this post-modern world of constant busyness and ever-reaching scientific knowledge,...would they still ask these basic questions?? "Why and from where did all of this "stuff" come from?...Who am I and why am I here?" or maybe they would be so dazzled by the latest scientific discovery that they would accept any answer that other people might give them?
It takes a decision of the individual if they will simply INGEST without question possible answers to such fundamental questions or will they decide to INQUIRE and seek their own answers!
I come to the realization that here at poolside this decision is still relevant to me now. I have several choices...I can be lazy and ignore these issues or...I can simply hear-out the predigested thoughts of others and incorporate their ideas as mine...or I can take some precious time, sit back, and use my own brain powers of reason to seek some answers.
St Francis often climbed up the rocky slopes of Mt Subasio...traveling upward from his native city of Assisi until he arrived at some steep clefts in the mountain's face. There, resting on a out-crop of hard rock, he stared upward at the sky in thought and prayer. He had a special and favorite spot to do this and today you can vist it and join in his similar persuit. There you'll find some bronze sculptures of him and some followers ...sitting or lying on their backs...looking upward in thought seeking answers and resting in appreciation for the "world stuff" around them. Francis' knowledge of the natural world was much less than our understanding today. Yet, he took what he knew and his knowledge of the Scriptures and saw within them some answers to these fundamental human questions ..."Why am I here?...Who am I and what is my real purpose in life?"
In the weeks ahead will you join me up there on that hillside?...We can do it here through the blog. It may require that we take a little time to withdraw from our usual busy daily activities to think...really THINK. But if we, too, ask some of these basic human questions, we may join St.Francis with answers to them. He found peace and life purpose in his answers and we can too.
Read-on and we can climb this mountain together.....maybe even while we stay at poolside!
(to be continued...)
The Greek philosophers grabbed lint out of their navels, looked at the world and sky around them and, you know what, they had these same questions. They developed very carefully thought-out responses and frequently used complex terminology to describe them which can be obscure to anyone except themselves. But they weren't the first humans to ask these questions (nor the last ones). The early aboriginal tribes left indications of similar thoughts in the form of petroglyphs and traditions. These earlier human cultures had minimal understanding of the basic natural forces which have been better revealed to us by modern science. I wonder...suppose they were "time-traveled" forward into this post-modern world of constant busyness and ever-reaching scientific knowledge,...would they still ask these basic questions?? "Why and from where did all of this "stuff" come from?...Who am I and why am I here?" or maybe they would be so dazzled by the latest scientific discovery that they would accept any answer that other people might give them?
It takes a decision of the individual if they will simply INGEST without question possible answers to such fundamental questions or will they decide to INQUIRE and seek their own answers!
I come to the realization that here at poolside this decision is still relevant to me now. I have several choices...I can be lazy and ignore these issues or...I can simply hear-out the predigested thoughts of others and incorporate their ideas as mine...or I can take some precious time, sit back, and use my own brain powers of reason to seek some answers.
St Francis often climbed up the rocky slopes of Mt Subasio...traveling upward from his native city of Assisi until he arrived at some steep clefts in the mountain's face. There, resting on a out-crop of hard rock, he stared upward at the sky in thought and prayer. He had a special and favorite spot to do this and today you can vist it and join in his similar persuit. There you'll find some bronze sculptures of him and some followers ...sitting or lying on their backs...looking upward in thought seeking answers and resting in appreciation for the "world stuff" around them. Francis' knowledge of the natural world was much less than our understanding today. Yet, he took what he knew and his knowledge of the Scriptures and saw within them some answers to these fundamental human questions ..."Why am I here?...Who am I and what is my real purpose in life?"
In the weeks ahead will you join me up there on that hillside?...We can do it here through the blog. It may require that we take a little time to withdraw from our usual busy daily activities to think...really THINK. But if we, too, ask some of these basic human questions, we may join St.Francis with answers to them. He found peace and life purpose in his answers and we can too.
Read-on and we can climb this mountain together.....maybe even while we stay at poolside!
(to be continued...)
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