Teaching Resources

Resources for Integrating Faith and Mathematics

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Well, it is coming down to the end of the spring semester. I am going to be quite busy over the next few weeks making sure I have all my work completed and turned in and that everything is set for graduation. So I don’t know how many posts I might get up before the middle of May. Here are a couple of articles to hold you over until then. If you read through these too quick and are left waiting for more, then check out the link on the top of page: “Resources for Integrating Faith and Mathematics.”

“The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences,” Eugene Wigner

Wigner observes that the mathematical structure of a physics theory often points the way to further advances in that theory and even to empirical predictions. He argues that this is not just a coincidence and therefore must reflect some larger and deeper truth about both mathematics and physics.

“On Christian Scholarship,” Alvin Plantinga

How should a Christian university and how should the Christian intellectual community think about scholarship and science? Should the kind of scholarship and science that go on at a Catholic university differ from the sort that goes on elsewhere? If so, in what way? Plantinga presents one sort of view–not with the thought that this is the whole and unvarnished truth, but as a contribution to our conversation.

“Advice to Christian Philosophers,” Alvin Plantinga

In each area of serious intellectual endeavor the fundamental and often unexpressed presuppositions that govern and direct the discipline are not religiously neutral; they are often antithetic to a Christian perspective. In these areas then it is up to Christians who practice the relevant discipline to develop the right Christian alternatives. Plantinga pursues this primarily from his own discipline of philosophy, but the ideas translate into all areas of scholarship.

The Enduring Uniqueness of Mathematics

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Why is mathematics different (in a good way) from every other subject you learned in school?

Two words: Pythagorean Theorem.

Let me explain. The Pythagorean Theorem in itself isn’t really the reason math is unique; it is merely an example I wish to use to illustrate my point. I chose this Theorem for an example because it has been my experience that it is one of the few things everyone remembers from math class, regardless of how much they enjoyed math or how well they did in the course. But just in case the P.T. slipped your mind, here is a recap:

For any right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (side opposite the right (90 degree) angle), is equal to the sum of the square of the other two sides.

This result is attributed to the Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras (hence the creative name for the theorem). Pythagoras lived between the 5th and 6th century B.C. and while he is ultimately the one credited with proving the theorem, there is evidence that the result of the theorem was known to the Babylonians 1000 years before Pythagoras was born. Notice this old tablet:

Wow, that is old. Here you can read more about the Babylonians and the Pythagorean Theorem.

My point is that in what other class are you performing the same operations as people were performing 3000 years ago? Certainly in history class you learn about earlier civilizations, but you are not being taught how to do history in the same manner as those civilizations. The precision that modern history requires was largely unknown to those ancient people. Perhaps in literature you read Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, but again, you aren’t being taught to write in the same style of epic poetry.

So then why is it that in math class, while advancements have been made and technology certainly has come a long way, we still find it beneficial to perform calculations the way they were performed thousands of years ago?

My answer: there is nothing to perfect, nothing ot improve upon, when you come across truth. Real truth.

To all of us who hold the Christian belief that God is truth, anything that is true is a fact about God, and mathematics is a branch of theology.

~Hilda Phoebe Hudson

Math: Solving the Planets Problems?

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“Math solves problems.”

“Math can make the planet smarter.”

“Math can do anything.”

I am of the opinion that the dominion over this world, which God granted to humanity, extends well beyond caring for the environment and cultivating the ground. While those are noble tasks, I believe the decree also extends to the cultivation of the mind. As stewards of this planet we have a responsibility to hone the reasoning ability that God created. The study of mathematics and how it can be applied to the problems facing this planet goes along way in fulfilling the divine command to respect and care for creation. Of course here I am speaking of real problems such as world hunger, or “curbing pandemics” as mentioned in the commercial, not simply how to make the iphone download faster. Math is amazing, God-given tool and if we are to make any claim as overseers of this planet from a Christian perspective, then, at least to me, this necessarily entails a proper study of mathematics.

On the other hand, while I believe a proper devotion to the mathematical sciences and arts is important, I find it inappropriate to place my hope in math alone. Pure mathematics can teach us a great deal about God and the plans He has set in place for His created order, but as humans we must recognize that our understanding can never be pure. Our understanding will always be tainted by sin. One day that stain will be completely removed, thanks to the grace of God demonstrated through His Son, Jesus Christ. That fact alone is worthy of our hope. But until that day arrives, we should dedicated ourselves, humbly, to the care and cultivation of this world.

One must know when it is right to doubt, to affirm, to submit. Anyone who does otherwise does not understand the force of reason. Some men run counter to these three principles, either affirming that everything can be proved, because they know nothing about proof, or doubting everything, because they do not know when to submit, or always submitting, because they do not know when judgment is called for. Skeptic, mathematician, Christian; doubt, affirmation, submission.

~Blaise Pascal