Are definitions descriptive or prescriptive? That's a classic conversation about language. I enjoyed this recent Twitter exchange that encapsulates the discussion well. Neil.— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) April 13, 2018 Neil deGrasse Tyson seems to come down on the prescriptive side, or at least would prefer that meanings remain static. Most dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster, aspire only to describe how we use and have used them. Dictionary editors don't want to be in the business of legislating … [Read more...] about Science Book Club: When Science & Christianity Meet Ch 12
laws of nature
Miracles: As You Wish
This is the fifth in a 5 week series exploring the relationship between miracles and science. See this Science Corner post for a prelude, this post for part 1, this post for part 2, this post for part 3, and this post for part 4. Four weeks ago, we started our exploration of miracles by looking at how human monarchs influence our perception of God as king. Then, we considered the metaphor of the law as it relates to our understanding of the natural world, and explored how the ideas of will and of grace might … [Read more...] about Miracles: As You Wish
Miracles: A Donkey and His King
This is the fourth in a 5 week series exploring the relationship between miracles and science. See this Science Corner post for a prelude, this post for part 1, this post for part 2, and this post for part 3. Three weeks ago, we started our exploration of miracles by looking at how human monarchs influence our perception of God as king. Then, we considered the metaphor of the law as it relates to our understanding of the natural world, and explored how the ideas of will and of grace might be used to frame a … [Read more...] about Miracles: A Donkey and His King
Miracles: Chaos in Control
This is the third in a 5 week series exploring the relationship between miracles and science. See this Science Corner post for a prelude, this post for part 1 and this post for part 2. Two weeks ago, we started our exploration of miracles by looking at how human monarchs influence our perception of God as king. Last week, we considered the possibility that the metaphor of laws may not be the best fit for describing how the universe works. I proposed the idea of will as the basis for an alternative description. … [Read more...] about Miracles: Chaos in Control
Miracles: When Miracles are Against the Law, Only Outlaws Will Perform Miracles
This is the second in a 5 week series exploring the relationship between miracles and science. See this Science Corner post for a prelude, and this post for part 1. Last week, we started our exploration of miracles by looking at the roots of Israel's monarchy in 1 Samuel 8. We considered how that transition would drastically shape both that nation and the Bible. In that story, we are told that God cautioned his people on the implications of their choice of government. I proposed that God had two main concerns. … [Read more...] about Miracles: When Miracles are Against the Law, Only Outlaws Will Perform Miracles