Thursday, June 18, 2020

The Territories of Science and Religion

The Territories of Science and Religion by Peter Harrison

C.S. Lewis says we should not get stuck in think that our current way of thinking, world view, way of organizing the world, government structure ... etc. is the best because it is current or 'new' every way of thinking. They all have strengths and weaknesses. 

Peter Harrison points out in his book that the current 'conflict' between science and Religion is because of our current definitions of science and religion. Just like the way Europe is divided has caused conflict the way human knowledge is divided defines the conflict into existence. 

Maybe we need to change the way we think about science and Religion and maybe we need to not even think about it as science and Religion. Does this mean we remove God and Chistianity? Not at all. Just change the way we think about it. 

The middle ages had no definition of 'Religion'. They were more concerned about correct worship than correct definitions of what they believe.

God help us to trust you.
God help us to listen to you.
God speak your truth to us.
God bless us.
God help us to live for you.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Medieval World View


I have been reading two books recently

The Territories of Science and Religion by Peter Harrison
The Discarded Image by C.S. Lewis

I hope to delve into them in more details on this blog but some interesting things I have learned.

First the majority of people in the middle ages did not believe in a flat earth. Just as there is today people who believe in a flat earth so was there in the middle ages. For some reason these few people's opinions have come to be understood to be the opinion of the day.

Because of the appearance of a earth centered model of the universe it would appear that the people of the middle ages thought they were important. But on the contrary they understood themselves to be on the outer fringes. Not important at all.

Our model of the universe is mostly empty. The middle ages was full of life. Spirits and Demons and didn't have the feeling they were alone at all.

God teach us to learn from you
God help us to listen to you
God help us to love one another