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Every once in a while, you encounter a piece of information that forces you to rethink your predisposed stance on an issue, whether important or trivial. For example, do you have to see something to truly believe it?
Let's consider the scientifically accepted theories and understanding of dark matter and dark energy. I understand that talk of these issues probably doesn't exactly fire up the excite-o-meter of many reading this column, so I'll keep it as brief and simple as possible.
According to NASA, dark matter defined in its simplest terms is this: A matter that is composed of particles that do not absorb, reflect, or emit light, so they cannot be detected by observing electromagnetic radiation. Dark matter is material that cannot be seen directly. Translation: We know that dark matter exists because of the effect it has on objects that we can observe directly.
Dark energy defined in its simplest terms is this: An energy that is hypothetical and is proposed by physicists to explain why the universe is not just expanding but is doing so at an accelerating rate. Think of dark energy as the "evil counterpart" to gravity-an "anti-gravity" force providing a negative pressure that fills the universe and stretches the very fabric of spacetime. As it does so dark energy drives cosmic objects apart at an increasingly rapid rate rather than drawing them together as gravity does.
Roughly 68% of our universe is composed of dark energy. Another 27% of the universe is composed of dark matter. If you combine dark matter and dark energy, scientists estimate that it accounts for 95% of our "known" universe. And if this is true, as it is widely accepted in the scientific realm, then only 5% of our universe is known or observable to us. That's pretty mind boggling stuff to me!
Which begs the question: Is seeing really believing? Because if this phrase were true, it would completely debunk a vast majority of what we know, understand and believe to be true. When new information is introduced to us, or sometimes when we see old information in a new light, it transforms how we perceive our world, and sometimes our God.
Galatians 3:28 is a widely revered and comforting passage for many followers of Jesus. It states: There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. This verse is so crucial and critical to many in the Christian faith. Through it, we understand that our incredible value and self-worth, is found only in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
But do we really believe what is written in it -- that, in Jesus, there is neither Jew nor Greek? I certainly hope so, for I was not born into a Jewish faith or heritage, but I still have the opportunity to choose faith in Jesus and his eternally redemptive story for my life.
What about slave nor free? One would hope that there is universal acceptance of this precept and that all men are created equal in the eyes of God and their ability to serve His purpose in their lives.
How about male and female? Are they really and truly all one in Jesus Christ? I ask because one of my daughters is attending college to one day obtain a Christian Ministry degree at a university that does not recognize female clergy. Sounds like a bit of a sticky wicket if you ask me.
Now, obviously, there are many layers to the issue of females in ministry and the one I just mentioned is only the tip of the figurative iceberg. One could quickly observe that there are multiple passages in the Scriptures that would seem to indicate that women should be forbade from speaking, let alone from occupying any leadership roles within a church body. But if that is your interpretation and understanding, then one is forced to ask, are male and female truly all one in Christ Jesus?
Dark energy and dark matter were discovered not because of what we can directly see, but because of how they interact with what we can. We cannot directly see God. The Bible tells us that we can participate in his divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. In other words, we can participate with God in his divine purpose in our lives through relationship with Jesus Christ. We know of God largely because of what we cannot see.
Sometimes, believing truly is seeing.
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Rev. Scott Garman, pastor of Cedar Heights Brethren in Christ Church in Mill Hall.