God and Nature Spring 2022
letter from the editors |
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By Sy Garte and Aniko Albert
As we write this letter introducing the Spring 2022 issue, we are focused in our Christian life on the promise and hope of Easter. A terrible war is waging in the Ukraine, and while in many parts of the US and Canada the long pandemic is finally waning, we find that “getting back to normal” is a slow and difficult process for many. And yet we think of past times in history, including the dark days of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, and death, and remember that in the end there is hope, renewal, rebirth—and resurrection on that glorious day. As always, we pray and trust in God to see us through, the God who came to dwell amongst us, teach us, heal us, and show us the path to salvation.
In this issue, ASA Executive Board member Janel Curry presents a thoughtful and scholarly treatment on how we search for truth in the sciences, both natural and social, and how different methodologies can contribute to our understanding of creation as a whole. Carlos Pinkham gives a wry and in-depth interpretation of the meaning behind a car emblem, with some thought-provoking insights. In his reminiscence, Gordon Murray takes us on a journey to the wonder-filled questions of childhood and beyond. Paul Carr’s essay on the interconnectedness of music, mathematics, and religion reminds us of the need to reach out to those whose faith has weakened with new ways of spreading the message of Christ. John D. Smith brings us a message of awe at the majesty of our universe, including some inspiring videos on the amazing dimensions of creation. Finally, Lindsay Linsky presents an urgent and soul-wrenching appeal for young people (and others) to bring their computational talents into the fight against exploitation of children, cyber-attacks, and other evils lurking in cyberspace.
Photo-columnist Cheryl Grey Bostrom contributes another worshipful photo essay, this one devoted to hawks in their natural settings. And guest columnist Felix Obi, checking in from Nigeria, fills in for Mike Clifford in the Across the Pond column and tells us his story of hopeful journeys, both physical and spiritual, and the role of the science and faith community in the UK in helping to buttress his Christian faith.
Please enjoy this issue, and help to spread the word about God and Nature to your friends and contacts in real life and online. We are always happy to receive your essays, poetry, photos, and comments. Please use the Submissions page to send us your contributions. In this season of resurrection and renewed life, we pray for peace, health, and hope for the future, and may the Lord be with us all.
Sy Garte, Ph.D. Biochemistry, is Editor-in-Chief of God and Nature, and the author of The Works of His Hands: A Scientist's Journey from Atheism to Faith. He is currently Visiting Professor at Rutgers University and has been a Professor of Public Health and Environmental Health Sciences at three universities. He was an Associate Director at the Center for Scientific Review at the NIH. He is the author of five books, over 200 scientific papers, and numerous articles on science and faith. He blogs at The Book of Works, and his website is sygarte.com. Sy is Vice President of the Washington DC ASA Chapter, and a fellow of the ASA.
Anikó Albert grew up in Budapest, Hungary, and is a graduate of Eötvös Loránd University. A serial migrant, she taught English as a Foreign Language in her hometown, high-school Spanish in Kingston, Jamaica, and English and various subjects in Alameda, California. She is currently the Managing Editor of God and Nature, and Co-Chair of Rockville Help, an emergency assistance charitable organization in Rockville, Maryland.
As we write this letter introducing the Spring 2022 issue, we are focused in our Christian life on the promise and hope of Easter. A terrible war is waging in the Ukraine, and while in many parts of the US and Canada the long pandemic is finally waning, we find that “getting back to normal” is a slow and difficult process for many. And yet we think of past times in history, including the dark days of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, and death, and remember that in the end there is hope, renewal, rebirth—and resurrection on that glorious day. As always, we pray and trust in God to see us through, the God who came to dwell amongst us, teach us, heal us, and show us the path to salvation.
In this issue, ASA Executive Board member Janel Curry presents a thoughtful and scholarly treatment on how we search for truth in the sciences, both natural and social, and how different methodologies can contribute to our understanding of creation as a whole. Carlos Pinkham gives a wry and in-depth interpretation of the meaning behind a car emblem, with some thought-provoking insights. In his reminiscence, Gordon Murray takes us on a journey to the wonder-filled questions of childhood and beyond. Paul Carr’s essay on the interconnectedness of music, mathematics, and religion reminds us of the need to reach out to those whose faith has weakened with new ways of spreading the message of Christ. John D. Smith brings us a message of awe at the majesty of our universe, including some inspiring videos on the amazing dimensions of creation. Finally, Lindsay Linsky presents an urgent and soul-wrenching appeal for young people (and others) to bring their computational talents into the fight against exploitation of children, cyber-attacks, and other evils lurking in cyberspace.
Photo-columnist Cheryl Grey Bostrom contributes another worshipful photo essay, this one devoted to hawks in their natural settings. And guest columnist Felix Obi, checking in from Nigeria, fills in for Mike Clifford in the Across the Pond column and tells us his story of hopeful journeys, both physical and spiritual, and the role of the science and faith community in the UK in helping to buttress his Christian faith.
Please enjoy this issue, and help to spread the word about God and Nature to your friends and contacts in real life and online. We are always happy to receive your essays, poetry, photos, and comments. Please use the Submissions page to send us your contributions. In this season of resurrection and renewed life, we pray for peace, health, and hope for the future, and may the Lord be with us all.
Sy Garte, Ph.D. Biochemistry, is Editor-in-Chief of God and Nature, and the author of The Works of His Hands: A Scientist's Journey from Atheism to Faith. He is currently Visiting Professor at Rutgers University and has been a Professor of Public Health and Environmental Health Sciences at three universities. He was an Associate Director at the Center for Scientific Review at the NIH. He is the author of five books, over 200 scientific papers, and numerous articles on science and faith. He blogs at The Book of Works, and his website is sygarte.com. Sy is Vice President of the Washington DC ASA Chapter, and a fellow of the ASA.
Anikó Albert grew up in Budapest, Hungary, and is a graduate of Eötvös Loránd University. A serial migrant, she taught English as a Foreign Language in her hometown, high-school Spanish in Kingston, Jamaica, and English and various subjects in Alameda, California. She is currently the Managing Editor of God and Nature, and Co-Chair of Rockville Help, an emergency assistance charitable organization in Rockville, Maryland.