Although society’s behaviors point to Christmas as the pinnacle to the church year, Christianity’s foundation is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – therefore the highest of all holy days are Good Friday and Easter.
Today, Good Friday, the focus is the cross – the fact that God sent his only son to die for our sins. On Sunday, the focus shifts to the empty tomb – the sign that the resurrection points to our eternal life. Thus, it is with these two days in mind that Christians gather to celebrate throughout the year.
The next three days are special to many, thus with good reason, this is not my normal Friday post of Opinions in the Shorts – but they will return next week. Our handbell choir will play at our Easter Vigil service. This service is much longer than normal, but it is an interesting transition for the liturgical season. From the lighting of the outside fire, to the Old Testament readings in a dim sanctuary, to our walk down the hall into a brightly lit temporary sanctuary for the glories of Easter, this service helps me with my Christian identity.
Happy Easter to make Christian friends, and Happy Passover to my Jewish friend. Yet to all, have a good weekend, be safe, and enjoy the lively tune we will play – Now the Greenblade Riseth – by the way, which the video’s large, youth choir does well.
With the recent budget discussion in our rear-view mirror and with seemingly more difficult budget discussions in the days ahead, political pundits on both sides are making their case about who won the last round, who has the upper hand for future discussion, and so on.
Hmmm. President Obama appoints a budget commission that releases a report that he neither endorsed or condemned. Then, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) releases a budget that is probably from a conservative think-tank that promotes the GOP. Of course, we also have the Gang of Six believing they can develop a compromising budget in a partisan atmosphere.
President Obama wants Congress to raise the debt ceiling, something that he voted against as a senator. As the GOP continues to portray itself as budget hawks, they continue to fail to accept the responsibility for the 2000-2006 deficit growth. Yet the Democrats attempt to be rational cutters while failing to own up to their spending habits.
I say – blah, blah, blah. As Washington attempts to give the public the impression they are working toward finding a solution, let us remember that their primary concern is their re-election bids and their party’s bankroll. The majority of Americans want our national government to seek meaningful solution, yet Washington continues to be all about the party – thus delivering the message that playing politics is paramount to delivering solution.
What if they made an effort to think, discuss, listen, and work toward meaningful solutions? What if Washington took a philosopher’s approach to problem solving? Then again, just as in this gathering of famous philosophers, the outcome still produced winners, losers, and disputes.
Human societies throughout the ages have wondered about questions such as the following: Why are we here? What’s our purpose in life? What is the meaning of life? What’s our place in the universe? Is there a God? What does God want us to do? In other words and in the words of Carl Sagan, “What is our place in the cosmos?”
Many look to science for answers about the unknown. Unfortunately, science cannot answer any of the questions above because of science’s self-imposed boundaries of the observable events in the natural world around us. Science cannot differentiate the natural and the supernatural because science cannot empirically observe God’s hand; but that does not discount God’s existence. Prominent scientific writer Stephen Jay Gould wrote the following (Scientific American, 267, “Impeaching a Self-Appointed Judge”, 1992).
Science simply cannot by its legitimate methods adjudicate the issue of God’s possible superintendence of nature. We (scientists) neither affirm nor deny it; we simply cannot comment on it as scientists.
This does not mean those initial questions cannot be answered. Although science is a way of knowing, it is not the only way because science does not corner the way to truth. Philosophical, theological, historical, ethical, psychological/emotional, and political views provide additional perspectives. Therefore, it is up to each of us to put these things together.
Whereas science is the quest for understanding in nature, theology is concerned with the quest for understanding about the nature of God and his association with humans and the world that surrounds us; including all human affairs – including science. By aiming at questions of why, theology is an intellectual, reflective, moral, answer-seeking study about the meaning of the life and value that God intends for us. Therefore, through science and theology we learn our place and the natural mechanisms God uses to operate within His creation.
Strengthening our understanding of science, theology, and the interchange between them provides a greater understanding and appreciation for God’s creation – a greater sense of awe – a greater understanding to make connections of our place in the cosmos and a deeper understanding of His creation – our majestic, awesome, intricate, beautiful, continually growing universe.
Astronomer Robert Jastrow, who is in the video below, wrote these poignant words in God and the Astronomers:
At this moment, it seems as though science will never be able to raise the curtain on the mystery of creation. For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.
This view of downtown Cincinnati is from Devou Park in Covington, Kentucky. Although the view has long been known to be one of the best of the city, in the fall of 2010 we made our first trip to this location – and I’ve came to the area in 1976!
I love cities. Whenever I’m in any city center, I appreciate the hustle and bustle, the buildings, the history, and more. I think of the times from the past when the central district was a true center of activity. It was there one would find the main stores to shop, the grand and glorious theaters, vibrant churches, and frequent people activity. City centers were the hub of community life and a place I would have thoroughly enjoyed.
Although a few cities are lucky enough to have the community vibrancy of the past, today, most cities are Monday-through-Friday commerce centers. From Devou Park, I think about the businesses headquartered in Cincinnati: among them consumer product giant Proctor and Gamble, Fifth-Third Bank (a large regional bank), Kroger’s (nation’s largest grocery chain), Macy’s (yes, its HQ is here, not NYC), and believe it or not, Chiquita Brands.
The latest census numbers tells us the populations of many cities continue to fall. Meanwhile, city centers remain to act as centers of commerce, welcome conventions, and treat visitors who appreciate a sense of time that once was.
Welcome back and I hope everyone had a good weekend.
Some may like to start the week with a toast to the week ahead. Then again, some Christians maybe wince at the thought of a toast going into Christianity’s holiest week of the year.
Let me switch gears to advertising. Of the good commercials, some are instant favorites, some remain as classics, yet some are memorable but we can’t recall the advertiser/product.
To discover the link between toasting and commercials, watch the video. Although it’s posted below, I think seeing it full screen on YouTube is better – plus it’s also better the second time as one can catch many of the subtleties. Have a good week.
A Frank Angle 