I made it! After over 30 hours of traveling and a few mishaps in various airports, I have arrived safely in Cairns, Australia, where I will be spending the majority of the upcoming semester. Three and a half months from now, I will have added a new chapter to my life; one including reef snorkeling, rainforest excursions, and a whole lot of cultural reflection. I’m here partly for an adventure, but more so to learn about the world and the way I see it; to redeem and refine the way I view life. The goal is to supplement my upbringing and corresponding worldview with a global context and perspective. Much of this will inevitably have a Christian slant, but I hope that people of all backgrounds and beliefs can gain something from this narrative.
Yesterday morning , I got to go into the rainforest for the first time. Although it wasn’t in the “wild” per se (we visited a city sponsored botanical garden), I came away with a clearer picture of the incredible biological diversity and beauty characteristic of this planet’s tropics. There were literally hundreds of different species of plants in sight of the mile or so of trail we hiked. For those of you who don’t know, this latitude, as well as the corresponding one in the northern hemisphere, receives the most rainfall in the world. There are a couple of simple geological reasons for this. The equator is, on average, perpendicular to the sun’s incoming energy, thus water is quickly evaporated and gathered into rainclouds. Prevailing winds, driven by temperature differences and the earth’s rotation, push moisture away from the equator until atmospheric cooling condenses it into raindrops. Pure water is one of the most important components of life, so the result is a vibrant tapestry of living creatures; an ecological goldmine. Here, each organism is dependent on the complex interactions and relationships of the others. Whether land or sea, reef or rainforest, the glory of God’s creation is on full display!
Along with accounts of my travels, I will be using this space to reflect on a few key questions that have been bouncing around in my head for quite some time.
1. What is the relationship between scientific truth and experiential truth?
This question is virtually always on my mind. As a Christian scientist, it’s almost impossible not to be confronted with this on a daily basis. I’m going to come out and say right now that I “believe” in the theory of evolution as a scientific principle. Also “believe” that Jesus Christ is the light of the world and that there is no salvation apart from him. Clearly, these are different types of belief. One informs my scientific research and another will help me decide who to marry someday. Bet you can’t guess which is which! All jokes aside, my point is that there is a difference, which I think needs to be acknowledged and taken into account by Christians and non-Christians, religious and irreligious, scientists and non-scientists alike.
2. How can we reduce the damage that European societal structure is causing to the natural environment, cultural minority, and future generations?
This is the big question when it comes to synthesizing my identity in Christ, my gifting in scientific thought, and privileged position in society. I am convinced that these problems are interrelated. My independent research project at the end of the semester will be centered on practical steps toward long-term progress in the areas of sustainability and respect for all peoples. Don’t get me wrong, Jesus is the ultimate answer to all of the problems we face, but there are certain changes that can be made by individuals and governments that would help! I’ll have more pictures and details next time. Thanks for reading!
