A Matter of Faith IV

“Anybody who has been seriously engaged is scientific work of any kind realizes that over the entrance to the gates of the temple of science are written the words: 'Ye must have faith.' It is a quality which the scientist cannot dispense with.” ~ Max Planck

Max Planck is one of the most important physicists in the last 200 years. He is considered to be the father of quantum theory. He has societies, institutes, and schools named after him. With the exception of Einstein, it would be difficult to find a scientist who has had more influence on modern science. I quote him here to reinforce a point I have attempted to make several times in the past. Since I have already talked about this subject quite a few times I am not going to repeat myself but rather direct you to my first, second, and third posts on this matter and hope that Planck's words reinforce what has already been said.

By His Grace,
Taylor

Racial Politics

"The idea of black politics now tilts away from leadership based on voicing grievance, and identity politics based on victimization and anger... The Jesse Jacksons, Al Sharptons and Rev. Jeremiah Wrights remain. But their influence and power fade to a form of nostalgia... The market has irrevocably shrunk for Sharpton-style tirades against 'the man' and 'the system.' The emphasis on racial threats and extortion-like demands -- all aimed at maximizing white guilt as leverage for getting government and corporate money -- has lost its moment. How does anyone waste time on racial fantasies like reparations for slavery when there is a black man who earned his way into the White House?" ~ Juan Williams, "What Obama's Victory Means for Racial Politics"

Juan Williams is news analyst for NPR, Fox, and writes for a several other news magazines. He is not one that I would often agree with politically, but I like this particular editorial. I am not one who really enjoys political arguments like some (I much prefer a theological or scientific debate) but this caught my eye because I hope what Mr. Williams is predicting pours over into reality. I agree that racial politics has often been one of attempting to maximize guilt and play the victim and it is something that has frustrated me. It is not as if all people one one side or another do this, however, the ones who talk the loudest seem to be the ones that play the victim card the most. I think that Mr. Williams' perspective on how racial politics can/should move forward is refreshing.

By His Grace,
Taylor

Sovereignty

"There are losses. We mourn. But not as those who have no hope. We vote and we lose, or we vote and we win. In either case, we win or lose as if we were not winning or losing. Our expectations and frustrations are modest. The best this world can offer is short and small. The worst it can offer has been predicted in the book of Revelation. And no vote will hold it back." ~ John Piper, "Let Christians Vote As Though They Were Not Voting"

As the voting comes to an end and the results are flowing in this statement by Piper comes to my mind. When we vote we do our civic duty as citizens of the city of the world, but as we vote we must also remember that we are citizens of the City of God (allusions from Augustine's The City of God). While the city of the world is important and we have a duty to it (Romans 13), it will pass away and the City of God will remain. We may feel we are losing in the short term, but in the long term we win--the City of God remains.

Piper's article is linked above. It is worth reading. I will leave you with this: "The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will." (Proverbs 21:1)

By His Grace,
Taylor