2017 in Review Part 4

I have spent a good deal of time and ink in a review of 2017 and perhaps it is nearly time to turn our gaze toward 2018. Part 4 of this review will hit a few more of the biggest highlights of the latter half of 2017.

In July of 2017 I managed to publish a book. I found it to be a significant development in my life as a writer. I may have written nine years of blog posts but writing a novel was a new undertaking that took a whole other level of discipline. I hope to publish another book in 2018.

On August 21 of 2017, the world was mesmerized by “The Great American Eclipse.” Solar eclipses are rare enough and total eclipses visible in North America stir the hearts and minds of people. I was intrigued by Annie Dillard’s 1979 article “Total Eclipse,” which she used as a metaphor for the mysteries and splendours of our universe and our propensity to live in the mundane events of the world. Much of our lives are spent in the pursuit of three square meals a day and a roof over our head. We spend very little time thinking about the bigger questions of life, eternity, and God. Dillard says, “From the depths of mystery, and even from the heights of splendor, we bounce back and hurry for the latitudes of home.”

In September, I learned about the quirky letter Rich Mullins had sent to Steve Taylor in 1986. I saw it as one of those great moments in music history where two great artists connected. Steve Taylor still has the original letter.

In November, I was struck by the fact that we live in an unprecedented time in which our scientific advancements proceed at an incredible speed. Advances in genetics, autonomous cars, and Artificial Intelligence are proceeding faster than regulations, laws, and moral boundaries can be set in place. There is plenty of food for thought in each of these advancements and readers can expect further contemplation on these developments in 2018 posts. But it also reminds me that we live in a time when it is important to continue to remain humble in what we know to be certain. As Rex Murphy reminded us, “… our finest sages, present and past, have always counselled against certitude, and cautioned that when we are most certain of something is precisely the time we should go over our sums.”[1] 

One of the reasons I started this blog nine years ago was to give myself some space to ask important questions, to challenge myself to think logically, and to perhaps encourage others to consider other points of view. Thank you for reading along with me. I hope we can continue to explore this world in which we live in the years to come.

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[1] National Post, 2017-11-02, “Governor General places herself as umpire of questions of faith and science, http://nationalpost.com/opinion/rex-murphy-governor-general-places-herself-as-umpire-of-questions-of-faith-science

2017 in Review Part 3

Not everyone enjoys year-end reviews but there is certainly some value in looking back on our own year. I am hopeful that this guide through a year of blogs may remind you of the significant events in your year.

It took watching the movie twice, but Arrival eventually became one of my favourite movies of 2017. The movie is much ado about the idea of rewiring our brains by learning the language of an alien culture. It clearly overstates its case but is brilliantly scripted and leaves one with a sense of hope regarding science, linguistics, and human understanding, even as it offers a sharp warning of how we use our own words and the militarization of culture. 

My April 17 blog-post was an ode to every band in which I have ever participated and particularly a tribute to the songs I have written or co-written over the years. The song, “No Hit Wonder,” is an exaggerated (I don't really have quite such lofty goals) autobiographical sketch of one man’s desire for fame. At some level, you may be able to relate as well. 

I paid closer attention to what my friends were writing in 2017. Several of my friends published books in this year. I read their works, blogged about them, and enjoyed learning how the books had come to be. The publishing industry has changed significantly in the last few years but what stays the same is the significant amount of effort one must put in if one wishes to write a readable book. My friend, Cam Taylor, published his book, Detour, in 2017. Two of my posts were dedicated to quoting and understanding this book. 

The “problem of pain,” is a perennial problem in Christian theology and a perennial topic in my blog posts. In the month of May, I tackled it again. This time, I added in concepts I had been learning from an evolutionary creation perspective. I am now thoroughly convinced that this is a fruitful way to analyse the problem and all of my future thoughts on the subject will be seen through the lens of how the “pain” and suffering of the evolutionary process leads to beings who will one day be more fit for relationship with God.

That’s a lot of thinking, dreaming, writing, and creating in just five months of the year. The next review blog will likely take me through the month of July in which I published my first novel. I pray that you too might be analysing your own life as we move forward.

2017 In Review, Part 2

Perhaps the best book I had opportunity to read in 2017 was the book by Dennis Venema and Scott McKnight, Adam and the Genome. The authors explain the implications of recent genetic research and evolutionary theory and then seek to read the Bible in light of these implications. Everyone comes to the Bible with a particular perspective; they are making theirs explicit and helping us to understand that there is no conflict between science and faith. It is not overly technical but will be a stretch for those who start from a viewpoint that there is a conflict between the two. If that is the case, I encourage you to expand your horizons and read this book.

I love a good musical, and so my favourite movie that I saw in 2017 was La La Land. Yes, I know some of the acting is wooden and even some of the dance scenes are stiff, but I allowed myself to get immersed in the movie and loved it just the same.

We seem to be on a roll about some of my much-loved media from 2017, so let’s continue with a song that was released in 2008 but was on repeat in my car for a bunch of 2017. “Broken From the Start” by Jonathan Foreman is a song of the Fall. It reminds us that love and heartbreak are common to the human condition and that our hearts start from a place of brokenness.

In 2017, many scientists worked persistently to find Dark Matter. The debate about whether or not the material exists continues and speaks of the intelligence and mystery of our Creator. We continue to wait upon intelligent minds who might solve this enigmatic question.

Another significant event in my year was the trip I took to Houston, TX for the BioLogos conference entitled “Christ and Creation.” Much like seeing a “kid in a candy-store,” I am sure I was wide-eyed and joyful for much of the three-day conference. My blogpost from April 2 recounts some of the highlights.

On May 9th, I attempted to express my growing understanding of the problem of pain, a good God, and evolutionary creation. One can readily see the slow progress my mind has made on such topics and the hope that my words will inspire others to keep pressing on for more and more answers. Stay curious my friends.