Update: After you finish with this article, be sure to read Part 2.
How would you answer this question?
Are their [sic] any Godly uses for higher math?
I’ve come to realize that probably one reason I struggled with algebra, geometry et.al., was that it seemed to me that these were basically atheistic academic disciplines, useful for promoting evolution or other Godless leftist sciences, but not with any obvious Christ-centered or positive, conservative uses.
If I’m wrong about this, I’d appreciate it if people could show me how this discipline can have Godly uses.
I also feel this could be useful in developing better ways of teaching higher mathematics if such uses could be found.
Let me know how you’d answer such a question in the comments, and I’ll expand on this in a later post.
10 replies on “How Would You Answer This Question? (Part 1) [Updated]”
Um, building a church?
I would probably talk about how math can help the poor soul understand the majesty and perfection of His Creation.
Or maybe I would point out that maybe they didn’t understand maths because they just weren’t smart enough. Only more pithy, something like: “ur a idiot”
How would I answer this question?
Uproarious laughter.
I would at least try not to point while doing so. ..
I would try to help this person understand that it is “Godless leftist sciences” that have allowed him/her to expect a lifespan longer than 35, travel further than his/her immediate neighborhood, and post his/her thoughts about religion on the Internet (not to mention TV, radio, etc.) Isn’t proselitizing doing “God’s work” in this person’s mind?
To get all self righteous on their asses, let them rot in the ignorance of their religious bliss, frankly there is no room for new algebraic symbols representing jesus, god, allah or what have you. They don’t need help they need a bullet in the head.
I dunno about higher math but lower math is useful for determining things like whether hell is endo- or exothermic and how that relates to uni students’ ability to get laid.
This reminds me of a guy I worked with who once said that he disagreed with Stephen Hawking’s theories, but hadn’t disproved them because he didn’t have time to learn the math.
You weren’t good at math because it was ungodly, oh, of course!
How about how higher math is the basis for understanding the patterns of all life, and if you believe life was created by God, it gives you a better understanding and appreciation for His creation. Learning about and being grateful for such an amazing feat would certainly be honoring God.
These Christians that think science and reason are in direct opposition to their faith might be representative of Christians, but not of Christianity. I don’t believe in God myself, but I like to know about something before I decide it isn’t for me. Maybe this guy could do the same thing and learn what his religion actually teaches.
I’m not going to spoil the surprise, but let’s just say that the key point is this: It’s a mistake to try and cram value-neutral disciplines like mathematics it into little boxes called “good” or “bad”. Some things have their own intrinsic aesthetic, therapeutic, entertainment or educational worth regardless of one’s faith (or lack thereof).
That God and math/science are not opposite or separate, but rather one whole. You could say that science and math are the rules God laid out when creating the universe, for the universe to follow.
– Lillian