Apparently, the Santa Fe Institute had a workshop on immortality last fall. There’s no evidence of a theological or religious or even much of a philosophical component to the proceedings. That’s maybe a little surprising, seeing as how SFI tends to be expansively interdisciplinary. But there’s plenty to discuss on the scientific side of things, so fair enough. I learned about it via Sean Carroll’s podcast (see below). In this special holiday episode, he shares a version of his contribution to the workshop and comments on a few of the other presentations. Give it a listen, or read the transcript here and then let’s discuss.
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eternal life
Finding Calcutta: What is My Legacy?
Probes:
- How would you articulate the gulf between a secular legacy, one of the world’s primary measures of a life’s work, and faithful fulfillment of Christian calling?
- How have you received affirmation/fulfillment in the blessing of Christ’s call and following Christ’s call?
Defining legacy
1. Law. a gift of property, especially personal property, as money, by will; a bequest
2. anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor: the legacy of ancient Rome – From Dictionary.com.
The world focuses on what can be experienced directly – what is seen. It is a great temptation to make that the measuring stick of our life’s work, our impact on the world. We are called to trust in God with a belief that he is working through us toward what He knows we can and will become eternally.
There is a Christian legacy for those who know and follow God. Abram’s calling shows this in God’s promises (Genesis 12:1-3).