6 mins
LETTERS
Cartoon: Bill McArthur
Strength of a Seed
Many thanks to Ruth Bancewicz for this delightful article (Life and Work, June). We need to be inspired by our own observations of the universe, however simple. Lichens on trees, mosses, seedlings and flowers in cracks of the pavement bring science to life , even in urban environments. The thought of a 30,000 years lifespan for a seed is truly amazing. We had a biology student from Romania who described the germination of a seed as “the experience of the entire universe unfolding” and “the mystery and wonder of the unfolding of life itself”. Scientific discovery is encompassed by the unfailing love of God but why does Ruth address this wonder in the context of a fallen world? For me, the idea of a fallen world can be transformed if we focus on the creative activity of God in an evolving universe, and realise that God’s activity is happening here and now and is seen in all our scientific and artistic advances. It is not a fallen world, rather an incomplete one in which we in all of our creative activities are helping to complete the evolutionary process. In this view, we are co-creators with God.
Sin in an individual and wider humanity can be viewed as not taking the opportunity to be involved in the creative process. The resurrection of Jesus is crucial and a foundation to this because the presence of Christ with each of us guides, in love and compassion, the creative processes to complete creation.
This view has gained momentum and understanding since the French priest Teilhard de Chardin wrote about it in the 1920s.
This change and deepening of the experience of God emphasises creation rather than sin. This joy in creation was certainly the flavour of Ruth’s final paragraphs in her charming article when “we may see opportunities to engage with science in ways that bring joy and life this summer”, Amen. John Kusel, Cumbernauld
Faith and Evolution
Eric Priest in his article on faith and evolution (July Life and Work) correctly indicates a harmony between faith in our creator God and science. It would be inconceivable to any rational person to imagine that the wonder of life in a solar system specially set up to support it could have come about by chance.
But he does overstate somewhat the evidence for universal common ancestry and that an evolutionary process can account for the development of the eye, or of molecular machinery such as the bacterial flagellum. He suggests that these dilemmas have been satisfactorily dealt with but I would contend, anything but.
He states very firmly that “virtually all working biologists are convinced Darwin’s framework is unquestionably correct” whereas I am led to believe that a great number of working biologists are very sceptical of the Darwinian mechanism and are defecting daily from the ranks.
It seems clear that if such a process did occur that the continual activity of our Great Creator would be required to input new information in the formation of animal and human body plans as they developed from primitive to highly complex creatures because such new information would be essential.
In Michael Behe’s latest book Darwin Devolves he puts forward compelling evidence that those changes that are referred to as micro evolution, while enabling creatures to better adapt to their environment, actually degrade or damage DNA rather than enhancing it.
Alex Glen, Glasgow
Church Growth
Reading through the July issue of Life and Work makes me think about the approach to church growth.
We may think of the church as a worshipping community called to make disciples, but I question that understanding. During his ministry did Jesus ask for worship – really he did not. Indeed, taking on the mantle of servant and not wanting the praise of Peter suggests that he didn’t want worship, but he did want to be followed and the two are not the same.
Also, the reference to making disciples suggests evangelising, but when we consider the Great Commission it speaks of baptism and teaching the way of Jesus. Baptism symbolises the dying and rising in Christ, that leaving of an old self and putting on a new self. That experience where we learn that our lives are not about ourselves, that we are not the centre of the universe and our agenda isn’t what life is about. Essentially we let go of everything – religion, status, gender, personality, inheritance and all fears and prejudices and such like baggage. Basically, we are empty, naked and can then put on Christ – trusting, so we might know the oneness of all life (God). We may then put on our gender, personality and so on, but all are subservient to the passion of Christ. To me, this is what it means to worship or to understand Baptism and essentially it is about turning around, walking on water, embracing the life of Jesus.
From this point the teachings of Jesus help develop this way of life that is the life of Christ in us. So, when we speak of church growth I think of communities of service or action first where the life of Christ is very evident in a community of healing and sharing.
The other strand to such a community of action is contemplation where human well-being and growth is made stronger through prayer and meditation. Gordon J Sharp, locum and community development worker, Dundee West Church
The Music of Nature
In his best known poem, Wordsworth told how, as he wandered one day in the Lake District, he saw a ‘host of golden daffodils fluttering and dancing in the breeze’. Fortunately on returning home, he recorded the thoughts he had had as he ‘gazed and gazed’ at them.
Long Perthshire walks have not only recently helped my wife and I escape from our Lockbound status, they have reminded us just how fortunate we are to live in what is truly a rural paradise. Sharing as I do Wordsworth’s deep love of the natural world, though not alas his poetic gifts, I recently felt constrained to try and record some of my thoughts about our walks in a poem which I have entitled The Music of Nature.
Walking each day on local trails, far from the madding throng, We enjoy the music of nature, the richness of its song.
There is music in the babbling brook, and in the fast river’s roar, As it makes its way to the ocean, where waves break on the shore. There’s music in the gentle winds, that scarce the leaves shake, And in the wild gales blast, that make the forests quake.
There is music in loud thunder, from an ever darkening sky, And in powerful water-falls, which most rocks can’t defy. There is music in the bleat of lambs, that roam the meadows wild, And soft and winsome music, in the laugh of a passing child.
There is music in the cuckoo’s cry, wafting on the breeze, And in the sounds of singing birds, amid the rustling trees. From these walks we return smiling, to our lockbound country home To enjoy the voices of family and friends, calling on the phone.Dr James Simpson (Very Rev), Bankfoot, Perthshire
Life and Work welcomes letters from readers of not more than 350 words which can be sent by email to magazine@lifeandwork.org during the Coronavirus Covid-19 epidemic.
For verification purposes letters must be accompanied by the writer’s name, address and daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. In exceptional circumstances the Editor will consider publishing a letter withholding the details of the writer, provided verification can be made. The Editor reserves the right to edit letters for space and legal reasons.
This article appears in the August 2020 Issue of Life and Work
If you would like to view other issues of Life and Work, you can see the full archive
here.