What provoked my thinking

First, let me ask all who comment to use the "comment" link at the bottom of each posting. That way, others can benefit from your comments and our discussion. Thanks!

Before I go any further, I thought I'd share what started me down this path. In high school and since, I've had a keen interest and aptitude for math and physics. For practical reasons, however, I decided to pursue a BS in Computer Science from Purdue, which I completed in 1979. Anything technical has been of great interest to me.

In 2001, I'd come across a book about optics, but I quickly saw that I couldn't understand the advanced mathematics, despite my advance calculus and differential equations at Purdue. So, I decided to enroll in math courses at the local university. I took courses from that time through this past semester. People were amazed that I found high-level math courses so interesting. I even commented to some friends that I marveled at the beauty of mathematics almost as a form of worship of God.

In 2004, however, I'd become very bored with a job that paid well but gave me very little challenge and didn't come close to filling my days with fruitful labor. I decided to see a career counselor because I really saw nothing that interested me. He said that I fit the profile of a research physicist more than anyone he'd even counseled in 25 years. So, I decided to quit my job to have more time to pursue courses. My wife and I also wanted to put ourselves in a position to trust the Lord a little more, i.e. not have every angle covered so carefully that there was little left to trust God for. I have done a little consulting to help cover the bills and the Lord has provided nicely.

I plowed into courses and decided to help a professor with his research. I needed some books at the library and stumbled across a video series by a professor of physics. It looked interesting and gave a little taste of history with each presentation.

One statement he made struck me hard. He was talking about one physicist - which one escapes me right now - who cast horoscopes to make ends meet while he did his research. What's more, he said almost all "scientists" of the Renaissance period did the same.

Why were "scientists" messing with astrology? This concerned me deeply, and I wanted to see what this was about. At the same time, the Galatians 5:20 witchcraft/pharmekeia issue bothered me, too. I decided it was time to do some research on my own.

What I didn't realize was that I had only found a thread, but as I started to pull on it everything began to unravel. Astrology was just a small though very important part of the picture, and it wasn't just to make a little money on the side. Other practices once considered occult to some degree or another were also very much a part of the picture.

Then, another major element struck me hard: ancient Greek philosophy had also played a major role in the development of science. The Church - Thomas Aquinas most notably - welcomed their worldview with open arms. But Greek philosophy had a major role in the Church as early as the second century.

1 Corinthians 1:17-2:16 says much about the wisdom of the world which is foolishness to God. And Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." What had the church done?

Now, before you write me off as coming up with a bunch of crazy facts from some fringe lunatics, let me say that none of the facts I've presented above are in dispute. Even Pearcey and Thaxton, professing Christians, in their book The Soul of Science, which is very pro-science, do not dispute these facts. In fact, they boldly proclaim them and accept them as part of the rich heritage of our forefathers to science. Consider this quote from their book, p. 126:

Toward the end of the medieval period, Western culture uncovered the great well of wisdom from the classical age. Christians struggled valiantly to adapt and assimilate the new-found philosophies to a Biblical view of the world. [bold mine]

The classical age is ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Pearcey and Thaxton uncritically accept the wisdom of ancient Greece and it's incorporation into the Church, the same wisdom Paul warned us of. I find this unsettling and my reading has been oriented to first verifying the facts and then trying, prayerfully, to determine what legacy this syncretism has given the modern Western Church. The more I read and the more I wrestle with it, the more concerned I become.

Over the next few weeks and maybe months, I'll try to present the facts with references, but I'll only be scratching the surface. Keep in mind that, until a little over a year ago, I was going full tilt into the study of advanced math and physics. I'm not coming from a background that denigrated science flatly, nor have I read any material where it has been the author's intent to do so.

I have wondered if my growing criticism of the late Medieval and Renaissance Church is rather hypocritical. I'm criticizing them for delving into pagan sources, and I'm doing the same. What makes my research any better than theirs?

First, they did it to come to a knowledge of "truth" about nature and reality in general. I'm doing it to see if there is sufficient evidence for my concerns.

Second, if I were to state flatly that we should shun science and turn back to God and a Biblical worldview, you wouldn't give me the time of day. Even presenting the facts, few will likely give it a fair hearing as it is. Additionally, I can't jump to that conclusion myself and feel that I'm acting on a sound basis. I have to see if the prompting I feel in my spirit has any foundation in fact, and to do that requires lots of reading.

You may not agree with my conclusions, but I appeal to you to at least consider the facts. If you want to read only one book on the subject, I suggest Pearcey and Thaxton's The Soul of Science. If you do read it, however, throughout the book, ask yourself one question, "Are these sources of knowledge that Jesus and Paul would encourage us to go to?"

I hope you'll read what I share and consider everything prayerfully. I draw opinions from a wide variety of sources and I try to consider contrary arguments. I welcome thoughtful and respectful contrary arguments to help sharpen me and make me think from angles I would never consider on my own.

Beware, however! The Bible is the final authority for me and I will hold you to that standard as I hope you will me. I will also challenge you if your opinion is based on many assumptions that I consider unfounded, but I will certainly try to do so respectfully.

I am seeking His full glory in the Church today. Will you join me?
Rob