Listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know– this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
– Acts 2:22-24
There is love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner’s cross
You broke my shame and sinfulness
You rose again victorious
You are stronger! You are stronger!
Sin is broken
You have saved me
It is written
Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all!
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.
GOD & MATH: Thinking Christianly About Math Education 