The Grand Design

Or rather better named The Grand Delusion.....  Steve cranks out another "science is the answer for everything" book (September 2010) which tries to lead you down a road to nowhere in quantum land.

  The Grand Design has some merits while trying to persuade you that "all this obvious design" can't be "normal" for universes, it then stands you on your head and claims because of the law of gravity the universe couldn't help but "self create".

 ::hit myself on the forehead::

Steve is a "Multiverse" advocate that believes out of some 10 to the 500th power universes we're just "lucky" to be in one that actually works for life.  According to Steve, "if" there is a god, he has a grand casino in the sky and amazed himself with the luck of the spin of creation.  Sometimes I think Steve is just playing with us with these outlandish statements.  But then I truly think he's serious, sadly.

There is no evidence of any other universes.  Theoretically it's been shown no information could be shared between universes even if they existed.  The "Multiverse" theory is the last gasp of Darwinian/Atheistic/Materialistic philosophy (I use that 'p' word that Steve hates) to avoid the obvious conclusion that there is a Creator.   Although to complicate things,  Frank Tipler in his book The Physics of Christianity embraces the multiverse and tries to smoke biblical concepts out of it being a Christian himself, albeit a strange character indeed.   Sorry Steve, the Bible still has you beat, your not even close to convincing us there's no need for God.  Quantum physics doesn't have the corner on truth.

Amit Goswami I believe has a better handle on the significance of quantum physics from a spiritual point of view, although definitely non-Christian.  I did get the creepy feeling Amit is introducing an End-time religion, that "strong delusion" that even Christians will be tempted by, so be careful.

There is a treasure trove of "Biblical" insight to be found in the hard science of quantum physics though.  It is verifying much of what we Christians have believed and experienced.  Hence it's prime candid-ency for strong delusional material.  In my opinion of course....

Some links to relevant articles:

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/02/mf_gleick_qa/all/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx9T1WaOv8k

The Island

Holiday movie watching suggestion.

This week I stumbled upon a gem of a film.  The Island, starring Pyotr Nikolayevich Mamonov as Father Anatoly, is a Russian film about a haunted man finding himself a resident of an isolated Russian Orthodox monastery.  Gifted with prophecy and discernment, he carries out his humble duties at the monastery stoking the ever hungry coal burning boiler and taking in pilgrims in search of physical healing and other miracles.

Mamonov in real life is a rock musician and actor whom had converted to Christianity in the 1990's and now resides in a tiny village.


Although the soundtrack is in russian, it is subtitled in english.


You can watch it free in low res on YouTube here or if you have a Netflix account you can watch it here.


Want the dvd?  You can purchase it here.

Why Us? - Best written critique of Evolution in our times. (IMHO)

James Le Fanu, author and medical doctor among his many life accomplishments, has won a prominent place on my book shelf in defense of non-Darwinian world-view.  A master with words and logic, James invites you to dare think outside the restrictive Darwinian box and face the truth like a man (or woman).  This work is a beautifully illustrated and written direct attack on some of the most fundamental assumptions of modern biology and all of it's relevant disciplines.

Audio Book Pick

Peter Hitchens, brother of Christopher Hitchens, converted to Christianity after seeing firsthand the results of atheism's effect on society while working as a foreign news corespondent in the former USSR before the fall of the Iron Curtain.  Peter lays out the thesis of his latest work in this video.

Although Peter's accent took some getting used to for a "Yank" like myself, I would recommend the audio version of the book to get the full effect of Peter's timely message.
At the least, it's an encouragement to us that feel downtrodden at times by the scope and intensity of attacks on our faith to see such a prominent figure stepping out and defending Christianity.  At best, it is another salvo of truth against the enemy of all souls.

Inception

Inception - an event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events.

My son Andy and I made time to go see the new Sci-fi thriller Inception Saturday night.  Having only read one review from Wired.com I was intrigued enough to shell out my dough for the ticket.  And, I'll say it is more than I thought it would be.  A central theme of the movie is planting an idea in ones mind through a dream.  Technology is used to do a Vulcan like mind meld and allow the team of thieves to interact with the target's lucid dream and eventually steal his secrets.  This all should sound familiar to those whom have had similar spiritual experiences.  Ideas are being "planted" like seeds all the time in our minds, and not always from our fellow humans.  No, not aliens folks, I'm not that wacky... yet.  It is most often very mundane. Advertising is the commercial practice of mind seeding for example.  Much research has been done over the decades in subliminal communications in one form or another.  It goes right down to the arrangement of product on the shelves, isles, color of packaging etc etc.  The gambling industry tries to make you feel rich before they take your hard earned money.   Automotive manufacturers show how you will become free, important, safe, cool and attractive in their product.  Advertising, politics, war, all use deception to win over their targets.  Inception by Deception.

Scripture has some good advice for that garden of the mind;

Php 4:8  Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things. 

A practical defense of the bombardment our minds take each day by our society is to 'displace' those seeds of deception by purposely thinking on good things.  First, know who you are in Christ.  Remember your identity, your heritage and future.   Nothing can beat eternal life.  Now that you have a good perspective, scrub away your mind with Bible study, prayer and meditate throughout the day on the things of God.  You'll be surprised at how even the common things in life contain some profound insights into the realm of the Eternal.

Interesting follow up article on wired.


 

Something just isn't right here.

Ever have that gnawing feeling that just won't go away?  That something just doesn't "feel" right.  It could be an everyday and common business transaction or a light conversation with someone you've known for years or even a perfect stranger.  It could be a series of seemingly unconnected events spanning years that suddenly point to something, a conclusion you have never considered, nor wanted to.  Or, something totally out of the blue.  A contempt for someone you know absolutely nothing about.  He or she could be the most likable gal or guy anyone has met including you.  But there it is, an angst about a person you can't trace to anything he or she has said or done by yourself or anyone else.  Or conversely, it is something said in jest or sincerity that piques your conscience, jabs at your heart.  A warning that what your seeing or hearing has roots that go deep.  The intellect kicks in right about here and says "there is no rational reason for you to feel this way".  Quickly you come to a conclusion that you have "issues" that need dealt with.  Maybe your just jealous.  That all common, awful rotten manifestation of the heart that can ruin a man.

  O! beware, my lord, of jealousy;  It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock.  The meat it feeds on.

~William Shakespeare, Othello

But then, you ask, "why would I be jealous of someone I don't know?"  "Am I insecure?"  (Whatever that means)  "That could cause feelings of being threatened....."  (from what?)  No man knoweth his own heart better than himself beside God alone.  "If jealousy, then kill it" you say.  You know your just as weak as the next person,  the Spirit has taught you this.  The only way to deal with the flesh is to deal whatever it tries to bind you with a death blow.  Self sacrifice.  Everything has to go on the line.  In the world, it would call for war, competition, "hard work" to mend those pangs of inadequacy and overcome the foe to prove your superiority.  Sports is the "soft porn" of this prideful way.  But in the Kingdom, fear, humility and faith are the rule.  There is no glory in man there.

Welcome to the realm of doubt, paranoia and the walk by faith alone.  Every Christian should feel this state of mind at one time or another or they are impostors.   The true Christian walk isn't all feel good honey sweet blue sky Joel Osteen kind of way.   If you feel a little uncomfortable around these kind of people don't be discouraged.  God doesn't enjoy "clanging cymbals" either.  He puts them in the same category with lukewarm water.  Rather, it's often more like hand-to-hand combat with the enemy, and that enemy in your face and in your nostrils is you. Once you put that "gut" feeling through the filter of self examination and prayer, maybe even seeking out godly advice from a trusted brother or sister, and you have a clear conscience, you have yourself a bona fide mystical experience.   Now is the time the opposition begins it's work.  The hidden truth has just now been exposed and the enemy of souls is never happy to have his dirty work known.  You will be a target.  And the very tests you put yourself through will be used against you.  You will be accused of jealousy for example, insecurity or any number of psychological  nonsense.  If you've already been there you can have confidence.   If not, if it was overlooked, you can stop and reconsider before moving on to the next step of faith.   It's about to get messy.

Collimation

One of my rediscovered interests has been astrophotography.   I have been enjoying the process of learning the intricacies of digital photography and telescope operation all at once.  It has been a lifelong love of the skies that I have been encouraged to return to my childhood hobby.  There is something more awe inspiring about seeing those familiar celestial objects in real life rather than relying on someone else's work.  For me, it's parallels my Bible study in quality time with the Lord.  I think He likes those of faith who want to look at His handiwork up close, with eyes that see them for what they really are.  Not just glowing balls of gas or pock marked dead planets and moons, but works of wonder reflecting the majesty and glory of it's Maker.  But with untrained spiritual eyes we see things rather fuzzy and out of focus.  The beauty is blurred by crooked thinking and ideas born of this world that cause the light to be deflected from it's intended destination, hence the full impact of that information, that picture is lost.  Thats why the astronomer needs to collimate his instrument of exploration, the telescope, and why the theologian needs to align his heart and life with the source of all light, God.  Look at these two images closely and you will see distortion caused by poor collimation.  Imagine how much better they will be with a little collimation.  Next week.

Update 7-5-10 Post collimation with laser device.