Who are You? But First, Whose are You?
My dad was intelligent, street smart, and wise. He also knew who he was. So, you can imagine his total bewilderment when he would see a book or course being offered for folks to discover “Who are You?” In his day there were many like him. You may be like him. If so, what I write here (and in the next blog) will hold no fascination. But if you are like me, it will. I’m an octogenarian and I often tell others I’m still not sure what I’m going to be when I grow up. And though I’ve come a long way I’m still learning who I am. (But it’s a fun journey!) I can go no further, here, without introducing a bigger question, Whose am I? Whose are You?
Richard Simmons — not the exercise guru but an American business leader and founder of The Center for Executive Leadership (a counseling center for businessmen and professionals) — says in one of his books (and I think you’ll agree as do I): Everyone has a certain perspective on how life works. It is the lens through which we see life. It is what most people call a “world view.” ...Over time we formulate a philosophy of life, a worldview, and this world view influences how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we live our lives. Whether we are cognizant of it or not, you and I (and everyone old enough to be discerning) has a world view. This is where the “Whose are You?” comes in. Our world view is shaped by one of two perspectives. There is not a third. Here they are, #1 and #2. To which one do you belong? Whose are you?
World View 1
David Eicher, editor of Astronomy Magazine, has an amazing grasp of the universe. He’s an accomplished astrophysicist. I like him because he writes heavy stuff but at a level so someone such as I can (usually) follow him. I quote him here because he describes so well the basis of a world view many hold today. All of his scientific facts are accurate, true — and fascinating! It’s his interpretation — his final conclusion that’s key. His conclusion voices the position I’m calling World View 1: So where did the elements that make up… us come from? The creation of the first atomic nuclei took place immediately after the Big Bang itself, the origin of the universe some 13.8 billion years ago. That process, called Big Bang nucleosynthesis, resulted in mostly hydrogen and helium [being formed] .... You have at least traces of 60 chemical elements within you. Oxygen is the most abundant… carbon follows second, and then hydrogen… nitrogen in our DNA… calcium in our teeth… iron in our blood… [etc. …etc.] … That oldest of all human questions — “Why am I here?” — actually has an answer. You’re here because atoms created in the Big Bang… have combined in such a way to make you — billions of years after their creation — with a big thank you to your parents as well. What is life?.... The point of origination is unknown… but with time, energy, and organic chemistry, the event happened. All of the elements were naturally there, in place — all a part of nature.
World View 2
The following words come from the Bible, the most authentic of all ancient historical literature — a coherent story in 66 books written over a 1,600-year period by more than 40 authors. First this: God created the Heavens and Earth — all you see, all you don’t see…. God spoke: “Light!” and light appeared…. God spoke: “Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants, every sort of fruit-bearing tree.” And there it was. God spoke: “Lights! Come out! Shine in Heaven’s sky! …. give light to Earth.” And there it was…. God spoke: “Swarm, ocean, with fish and sea life! Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!” … “Prosper! Reproduce… on Earth.” God spoke: “Earth, generate life!... — all kinds.” And there it was: wild animals of every kind, cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug…. God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature...” God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!” [God], you formed me in my mother’s womb… you know me inside and out … I was sculpted from nothing to something. (from Genesis 1 and Psalm 139 — The Message translation.)
Astrophysicists and five-year-olds (like our granddaughter) face stumpers of like kind, respectively. What was there before the Big Bang? And, Where did God come from? The non-answers assure that #1 and #2 above are faith positions. Author Tim Keller says: Whether you believe God exists or not, this belief… taken by faith… is the foundation upon which all your reasoning proceeds... You end up screening out all that does not fit with this [your] view of life. BTW, our granddaughter, who asked that question above at five is now 28 and studying for her PhD in Biochemical Engineering at Michigan State University. She’s a solid #2.