I proudly classify myself as a nerd. Sometimes my conversations and thought processes don't make a whole lot of sense to other people (or myself, for that matter) and there are concepts and ideas that I often contemplate, but have immense difficulty articulating. It isn't often that I find myself in a situation where other people are similarly minded and are willing to discuss a lot of the questions that I often ponder on my own. This evening presented me with the opportunity to revel in such an environment and it is like my brain has become an overfilled sponge that is about to burst.
I am currently taking summer classes at an environmental institute and am surrounded by remarkably intelligent individuals who have a passion for the creation, but more importantly, a passion for the Creator. Every person comes from a different background and has different views in various areas of science and theology. When these minds collide it turns into a marvelous discussion that can last for over three hours - this particular conversation began at the dinner table.
Two students began discussing a topic of research that one of them had recently written a paper on. This topic revolved around dialectical tension - the relational tension between certain aspects of opposing or incompatible forces. An example of dialectical tension is industry vs. environment. There is a necessary tension between these two forces that continually separates them, but ultimately results in a continuing relational pull between the two. I'm not going to pretend that I fully understood all that was being discussed, but this topic of conversation led to a myriad of questions and debate that was unbelievably intriguing. The discussion of dialectical tension between the environment and industrial progress led to the contemplation of theoretical physics and human progress. There were debates concerning matter and antimatter, the need to continually progress and the damage that is done by continual progression, the relativity of time and how that relates to the story of creation, etc. Numerous ideas and questions were brought forth and no concrete answer was ever achieved. I am not much of a debater, but being present throughout the entirety of the discussion has sent my mind on a track of self-contemplation and an analysis of personal beliefs. There were often times that I disagreed with someone's opinion, but it led me to solidify what I believe and why I believe it. Being able to bounce ideas back and forth with a group of respectfully mature individuals creates an opportunity for incredible growth and intellectual stimulation.
At the beginning of our discussion there were only six of us, but by the end we had accumulated an audience of about fifteen people. The variance in opinions was vast, but the ability to respectfully disagree was so prevalent that it created a safe environment for the unpacking of beliefs and an analysis of the reasoning behind those beliefs. Our discussion concluded on the topic of heaven and hell. We wrestled with the picture of a redeemed creation and what our individual appearance would be like in the new heaven and the new earth. We discussed the issue of purgatory, angels and demons, good vs. evil, and the dimensions of creation with God existing over all things. I cannot begin to describe how incredible of a discussion this was.
These types of conversations remind me how finite I am and how little I truly know about the complexities of creation and the enormity of the God I serve. Despite our hours of questioning and debating, we could never truly explain any topic that was brought to the table. There is a frustration and a beauty in not knowing. On one hand, the desire to know and the capacity for curiosity brings a fiery determination to discover what is unknown and to uncover the mysteries buried in creation. On the other hand, I am amazed and in wonderment at how little we are able to comprehend the intricacies of God's handiwork.
As a science major and a follower of Jesus Christ, I have found my brain working particularly hard to find a balance between the ideas and theories presented by the scientific community and my own personal beliefs. Wrestling with the biblical account of creation and the presentation of scientific material can sometimes be a jumbled mess of goop that bounces around my brain in never-ending chaotic motion. Discussions like the one mentioned above, allows for a bit of clarity and understanding. I still don't feel like I have adequately described the complexities of the conversation, nor have I been able to completely sort through the information that is percolating in my brain, but there was an intellectual high that has carried over and makes me excited for future interactions with this group of individuals. When my brain has been removed from this type of stimulation, I forget what it is like to let my mind explore and what clarity of thought feels like. Being surrounded by similarly passionate intellectual nerds is a wonderful experience and I am so excited for whatever conversations are initiated at upcoming dinners.
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