“And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it . . .’ (Genesis 1:28)
The crowning glory of creation is humankind made in the image of the Creator God. Rather than a myth or just a story, it is what we have been made for – to be vice-regents in and over this earth God has made and given to us. Our labors, our calling, our redemption through Jesus Christ are all wrapped up in the wisdom of convergence. Convergence is the daily ability to use, apply and understand our work and our study in the light of an active, God-centered faith walk with Jesus Christ. This is not “adding” to our faith, or simply praying about our attitudes and desires daily, but working and studying as to apply faith concepts to our real life situations, problems and challenges. Thus, the Christ-centered mathematician studies and applies number theory in a way of faith, trusting not in conventionalism or some intuitive theory of numbers or in formal logic theory, but in a God who has ordered and designed this universe such that 1 + 1 = 2 all the time.
Convergence requires work, insight and study. This does not come easily for the Christian who has merely learned some Sunday school lessons and Bible stories, and who just hears sermons and teachings on how to be a good, religious person. The Christian who is seeking God’s will and God’s Word for his or her field of study or expertise must seek out the assumptions, the roots, the mechanics of that system, that way of thinking to ascertain whether or not it is pleasing to God. Convergence readily solves ethical dilemmas since our work is now infused with God-centered and Word-inspired assumptions, methods, and conclusions.
Today, O God, help me “think Your thoughts after You.” Help me see in my work and field of study Your assumptions, Your methods, Your will and way. Show me how to think and process. Teach me and lead me in the right way, and show me in Your Word that which will transform my world for Your honor and glory. In Jesus Name.
A Christ-follower and mentor of leaders and churches whose life plan is to make an eternal difference in lives for Jesus Christ. Carl currently serves as the Executive Pastor of Cross Roads Brethren in Christ Church (Mount Joy, PA), President of Carl Shank Consulting, and as a Board Member of the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce. B. S. in Mathematics from Dickinson College. M. Div. and Th. M. from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia Campus). Carl’s insights have been a great encouragement to Thomas B. Grosh IV, Associate Director, Emerging Scholars Network. To God be the glory!
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