On The Intersection Between Faith and Reason

As a new science teacher at a Christian school, I'm currently developing some basic viewpoints concerning the relationship between faith, science, life, and learning. Let me know what your thoughts are. 

As Christians we are convinced that it is God who is responsible for the creation of all things (both spiritual and physical). Therefore, scientific inquiry allows us to explore that creation and gain insight into the person and nature of its creator. While scientific observation will never function as a replacement for special revelation (i.e. scripture), it can, however, offer us glimpses of God’s divine character such as his creativity, his love of variety, and his wisdom in complexity.

                

On the other hand, it should be noted that scripture itself is not a science text, nor was it ever meant to be used as such. The purpose of scripture, first and foremost, is to reveal to us the unseen God. As a document of faith, scripture’s chief concern is not to explain or divulge the workings of naturally occurring phenomena, but to answer questions like “who is God?”, “what is he like?”, “how should we live?”, and “what is right and wrong?”

                

In this way, science and faith are in no way at cross-purposes, but they do seek to answer different types of questions.  Answers to questions like “why is the sky blue?”, “will you explode in space?”, and “what is matter made of?” aren’t found in the Bible simply because it’s not the Bible’s purpose to answer questions like this, that’s where science steps in.

At the same time, science isn’t able to offer us much in the way of handling moral conundrums that arise as our knowledge and expertise expands.  For example, “is it ethical to clone a human being as a way of harvesting organs?”, “should nations use their nuclear capabilities to influence international politics?”, or “is it more important for us to invest in energy technologies that create more jobs or that seek to improve environmental health?”   In this way, the Bible, and the theological truths we derive from it, is incredibly relevant to the myriad of ethical conversations on how scientific developments and discoveries are to be applied. 

My Name is Stefan Schiavone, and I am a Feminist

Hey everybody,

My name is Stefan Schiavone, and I am a feminist. This does not mean that I believe women are superior to men. It does not mean that I believe all men are pigs and are to blame for all of society’s problems. It does not mean that I think women aren’t accountable for their actions. It does not mean that I believe women shouldn’t have to earn their jobs and paychecks through talent, dedication, and hard work. It doesn’t mean I think women who choose to remain in the home to raise their children themselves are sell-outs to traditional male-dominated society and are therefore unworthy of the same esteem as those who join the workforce.

What it does mean however, is that I believe women are entitled (I use that word purposefully) to a level of dignity, honor, opportunity, and respect that men would desire for themselves. To those who say that you don’t need feminism because you can vote, work, hold a public office, drive a car (etc…) you can thank feminists for that.

When I say that I am a feminist, it means that I want my nieces (I have six now) to grow up in a world where they are valued not because of their outward appearance, but because of their honesty, integrity, compassion, bravery, intelligence, perseverance, and creativity. I don’t want them to spend even a second worrying about what a number on a scale says about them, because it has nothing to do with what truly makes them beautiful. I am thankful that they are surrounded by mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandmas, and grandpas who teach them every day what it means to be a person of substance, of conviction, and of faith. Oh yes, did I mention that I am a Christian as well? I say all this not in spite of my faith, but because of it. I believe we are all created in the image of God, and are equally loved, valued, and cherished by our creator. We, therefore, should follow this example and do the same. 

Stupid Bird

While wandering through the prayer garden at Fuller today God literally sent me a parable. As I sat, I heard a sound. I looked up and in the rafters was a sparrow that had wandered in and was unable to get out. Time and time again it spread its wings to take flight only to run straight into the ceiling above it.

I thought, “If only there were some way I could communicate with this stupid bird and tell it to stop smacking into the ceiling before it gave itself a concussion. If only I could somehow show it the way out.”

God told me, “Stefan, you are that stupid bird. For all your strivings and ability you’re not realizing the potential that I have given you. Like that bird I have created you with the innate ability and desire to fly, yet if you have not the capacity to listen and receive instruction, you will never succeed.”

“O God, forasmuch as without three we are not able to please thee, mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule in our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

- Book of Common Prayer: 19^th Sunday after Trinity

To whom belongs truth?

The following is a response to a note I received from a well-meaning person who showed concern when they discovered that I was a fan of Cat Stevens music, pointing out that we Christians have no need for the thoughts of others outside our faith, all else is distraction and devoid of spiritual benefit.

"I whole-heartedly agree with you that as followers of Christ we are to guard our hearts from all impurity, and unrighteousness for we are temples indwelt of the Holy Spirit. All malice, anger, greed, lust, and deceitfulness, have no place in the life of a believer. Conversely we are to focus on things above, whatever is noble, and pure, and right in the eyes of God.

But I think that you and I would differ on what we consider appropriate sources of goodness, purity, and nobility. While I concede that Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) tends to stitch his religious views into the lyrics of his songs (as well as Buddhist and Jewish imagery) does the fact that he is a Muslim negate his ability to speak truth, and beauty? The thought that Christians have nothing to learn of faith and devotion from followers of other religions is spurious at best.

Please don't think me some sort of pluralist for saying that. I do believe that there is but one way to the Father, one road, one truth, one life and that can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ. But doesn't the apostle Paul admonish us in Colossians to "test everything, and hold to the good"? When the Israelites fled from Egypt, didn't they take with them its treasures?

What you call spiritual junk food, I call insight.

In other words, if all truth and beauty belong to the Lord, need we fear from whose lips they proceed?

Consider the lyrics of 'Morning Has Broken'

"Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world

Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day"

If those lyrics had been written instead by Fernando Ortega and played on Christian radio would any good Christian feel the need to turn the dial in outrage?

Just some food for thought..."

Now dear reader, I welcome your own thoughts and insights. Whether you agree or no, I welcome your input.

Blessings all.

Run

Today I went for a run through town.

On the sidewalks I noticed the buildings that surrounded me.

As I passed by I looked inside, I looked and saw myself looking back.

I could see myself in the glass that reflected back at me.

I saw myself in the pawn shop on Lake Street.

I saw myself in the window of the bookstore on Union.

I saw myself in the restaurants and supermarkets.

I saw myself in the clothing boutiques and movie theatres.

I even saw myself in the cars parked on the side of the street.

I looked and saw the outfit I had picked to run in,

I saw my running shoes gliding through the air,

I saw my arms pumping at either side of me,

I saw the perspiration on my forehead,

To my dissatisfaction I saw the slight bulge of my mid-section under my t-shirt.

Then I ran by a church and I looked inside.

There was no glass, no clear windows that reflected my image back to me.

All I could see was stone and iron, brick and wood.

For a moment I looked away, straight ahead to the sidewalk in front of me.

I looked again and saw a cross.

I saw a man on the cross.

I looked at him and he looked back at me.

I continued to run, without stopping,

without looking back at the man who was always looking back at me.

Chasing the Sunset

So it's been a while since my last blog was written, two months at least. I had actually started a few entries, but none of them really went anywhere. I thought my lack of inspiration was due to the fact that I just had nothing on my mind that was worth sharing. While living at home I was just existing until my cross country trip. What could I possibly have to write about that might be interesting? But now that the whole experience is behind me, I should have pages of stories and anecdotes of my experiences and thoughts on the road, yet I still didn't write. There was nothing I really wanted to talk about. I drove, it's simple as that. I suppose I could attempt to describe the color of the sky in New Mexico at sunset, or the beauty of the rocky crags and buttes in Arizona, but that would be an exercise in futility. I might mention the time I almost ran out of gas in Texas and feared that I'd be stranded in the middle of nowhere until a tow truck with fuel arrived, or the struggle to stay awake until I reached the next civilized town and a bed. I could talk about that woman standing on the highway divider in Oklahoma City, begging for food as everyone drove on; or the friendly man and his wife from that gas station in Barstow who chatted with me for almost 20 minutes just because they saw I had NY plates. I could go on about that outdoor concert in Alabama where I shared a dance with a lovely friend of mine under a clear night sky. In fact I'm sure I could go on and on and on, but I think I figured out why I hadn't said anything about any of it. These thoughts and memories are mine, and I think I wanted to keep them that way, 'til now at least. Looking back now, though it was long and tedious, I realize I actually miss the journey, the solitude, the quiet awe felt in beholding unquestionable beauty. But now my destination has been reached, the journey finished, and I miss the memories of the days spent chasing the sunset.

Why settle for billions?

Today in the car I was listening to one of the top 40's stations on the radio, not so much because I like that music, but mostly because it was the only station that came in where I was driving. Seriously, there was nothing else on the dial but this song. It was Billionaire by Travie McCoy. I laughed at myself as I thought back to Bare Naked Ladies singing If I had a Million Dollars. It seems inflation has skyrocketed over the past decade, a million dollars just won't cut it in this economy.

As I said I usually don't listen to a lot of pop music, but every now and then I like to check it out, just to hear what's being said out there. On the surface the lyrics seem almost altruistic. The man dreams of making an obscene fortune so that he can adopt orphans and give away free cars. But as I listened I realized there was nothing selfless in his intentions at all. His philanthropic musings are only a front, deep down he just wants to be noticed, loved, and adored.

Besides, when you have that much money, is it really a sacrifice to blow a couple thousand here and there? What about all the average, middle-class families who adopt even though they may not have the means? Hey Travie, why wait until you reach 10 figures to do some good? Instead of buying those $400 sunglasses you could finance a child's education. You think just throwing money at problems makes you mother Teresa? I didn't see you at the Superdome after Katrina hit, giving out food packs and shoveling up human feces because all the toilets were clogged. I guess that's not as much fun to sing about though.