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This brief slide presentation provides a better understanding of the relationship between Christianity, science, and teamwork in God's continuing creation.
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Christianity Viewed
from the 21st Century
A Slide Presentation
By
Dr. Robert C. Frank
Professor Emeritus of Physics at Augustana College
Serving on Christ’s Team at St. James Lutheran Church
1
The View Today is Very Different
The Christian world is very different in the 21st
Century than it was in the 1st century..
There are now over two billion followers of Jesus
and they share with others a world in which
science and technology play dominant roles.
2
God’s Continuing Creation
The quality of human life is improving at a
dramatic pace.
People are living healthier, happier, and longer.
Transportation, communication, and modern
medicine are far superior to the past.
3
Our Rapidly Changing World
With the aid of science, the kingdom of God is
growing to be very large as Jesus predicted in
his comparison to the mustard tree. Mt 13: 31-
32, Mk 4: 30-32, Lk 13: 18-19
When we repeat the Lord’s Prayer we say, “your
kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is
in heaven” and today you can see it happening.
4
Changing the Frame of Reference
Rather than viewing Christianity from the
perspective of our personal lives or our church,
we must view it as a whole if we want to see
how it is changing the world.
5
Christians Participating in Creation
The followers of Jesus are seen to be both
observers and participants in God’s awesome
continuing creation.
As their servant leader, Jesus taught his followers
to love each other, work together, and help
everyone lead better lives.
6
The Increasing Rate of Creation
The rate of creation depends on past
accomplishments and the number of people
involved.
As a result, in each generation, with more
people and greater teamwork, the quality of life
improves more rapidly.
7
Teamwork in Science
Large scale teamwork in science began during
World War II.
An enormous team of scientists and engineers
developed the atomic bombs that ended the war
in Japan.
8
Teamwork in Materials Science
The development of the transistor in the late
1940’s may be considered the most important
invention of the 20th century.
It focused attention on the atomic properties
of solid materials.
9
Birth of the Microchip
Large teams of scientists and engineers began
creating tiny electrical circuits embedded in solid
materials. They are called microchips.
Microchips are now used in radios, TV, computers,
cell phones, tablets and control devices. Very
complicated electrical circuits are being made
smaller and smaller.
10
Improvements in Medical Science
Medical science in virtually every country in the
world is far superior today than it was even a few
decades ago.
Much of that achievement is due to the great
advances in communication.
11
Teamwork in Space Science
The rocket science of World War II eventually led to a cold war space race with the Soviet Union in the 1950’s and 60’s.
In the USA, NASA began the formation of a very large space team that put men on the moon in 1969.
12
Teamwork Made the
Impossible Possible
One of God’s Many Miracles
13
Additional Gifts of Space Science
Communication and global positioning satellites
have now connected the whole world together
through the Internet.
14
Science as God’s Gift
I believe God gave humans analytic ability and the
scientific method to make it possible for them to
help relieve suffering and participate in creation.
Physicist and Theologian, Stanley L. Jaki was a
prolific writer in support of the view that science
could only have arisen in a Christian society. His
writing is summarized in the book, Science was
Born of Christianity by Stacy Trasancos.
15
Fertile Soil for Continuing Creation
I believe that many of the science and technology
achievements emerged in countries where very
large percentages of the people are Christians
because Christianity has been teaching a form of
teamwork for over 2000 yrs and teamwork is vital
for successful scientific research.
16
The Bible and Teamwork
The Apostle Paul’s description of the Body of
Christ is similar to descriptions of modern teams.
(I Co 12)
There are also many other passages in the Bible
that support the concept of teamwork. See for
example Ro 15:5-6, 1 Pe 4:8-10, Pr 27: 17, Ep
4:16, 1 Co 1:10, Ec 4: 9-10 , , , ,
17
The Rules of Life
The Ten Commandments and the two
emphasized by Jesus form the rules of life that
optimize teamwork.
18
Living in God’s Grace
No one can ever get it all right. Christ’s death
and resurrection brought forgiveness and
successful teamwork cannot occur without
forgiveness.
19
Communication with God
To be successful team members, we need the
wisdom, courage, forgiveness, and peace that
can only come through prayer.
Wisdom also comes by reading the Bible which
is now available in many versions and
languages.
20
The Sunday Morning Gathering
Weekly worship services not only provide
wisdom and inspiration, but also opportunities
for the team to practice and coordinate efforts.
Sunday School is comparable to a learning lab
where children and adults study and practice
living the Christian life.
21
Baptism and Confirmation
Christianity provides a special Baptismal
ceremony where each new member is anointed
for service on Christ’s Team.
Following additional training, at Confirmation
each person is certified as qualified to serve on
Christ’s Team.
22
Christianity’s Triune Creator
God is understood to be the source of all
creation.
Jesus Christ is redeemer, spiritual leader,
and teacher of God’s assistants as they
participate in creation.
The Holy Spirit is the unifier, forming and
guiding Christ’s Team with the help of the
Bible and weekly church services. 23
The Search for Proof
In his book, Atoms, Men, and God, the physicist
Paul Sabine wrote the following:
“Jesus’ declaration of a God of love can only
command acceptance in so far as it can be
verified in the inner experience of men and
women, and find objective expression in their
lives. It must be verified by each individual and
by every generation.”
24
The Validity of Christianity
The proof is the more than two billion Christians, a third of the population of the world, who have become Christ’s Team. They are God’s miracle.
The fact that they have experienced love and continue to teach others to love and care for each other is a demonstration of the validity of Christianity.
25
Christ’s Team Around the World
The Distribution of Christians Throughout the World Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life/ Global Christianity, December 2011
26
God’s Assistants with Creation
Construction workers
Teachers
Artists
Homemakers
Scientists
Social Workers
Parents
Custodians
Cooks
Medical Workers
Clergy
Accountants
Lawyers
Sales Clerks
27
Improving Christian Teamwork
Historically Christian teamwork has not been
as efficient as it could be because Christians
usually don’t think of themselves as a team.
Efficient teamwork requires a clearly
understood goal and a purposely coordinated
effort.
28
What is Christianity’s Goal?
Many consider the goal of Christianity to be
eternal life, but uncertainty about how that is to
be interpreted has divided Christianity into many
different denominations.
God’s call for humans to be assistants with
creation is a more easily understood goal with
fewer conflicts. Decisions about life after death
are left to God.
29
Strengthening the Team
Christians need a goal that is clearly understood
by everyone and is inclusive rather than divisive.
Congregations also have to deliberately set up
programs to train leaders in team-based ministry
in order to coordinate their effort.
30
The Merits of This View
While requiring a slight shift in emphasis, it is
compatible with traditional and biblical views.
Science is considered to be a gift from God
needed to permit humans to have a more
substantial role in creation.
It is a view of Christianity that is more easily
understood and explained to outsiders.
31
Additional Merits
It is more inclusive, opening up new ways of
inviting outsiders to join the Team.
It relieves Christians of the burden of being the
judges and gatekeepers to heaven, leaving that
to God.
32
Aided by science, Christ’s Team is creating a
wonderful new world. Become an active member
of a Christian church in your area today and help
improve the quality of life for everyone.
33
For Further Study
This book is designed to help
readers learn to think like members
of Christ’s Team.
The cover depicts Christians
around the world acknowledging
their team effort.
www.christsteam.com
34