February 28, 2014.

Today I am interviewing for a position in the Quantitative and Chemical Biology program for a Ph. D. at Vanderbilt. So far I believe it is going pretty well. What I have noticed, dawning on me at lunch, is how different of an environment it is from the student center. Don’t get me wrong, everyone has been very nice and its been very professional, but there is an atmosphere of “intelligence is above religion.” This could just be my incorrect perception of things, but I know there are places (not necessarily Vanderbilt since we still are in the south) that carry this attitude. It is very overwhelming to me, and to be quite honest, it kind of scares me a little.

But then I am reminded of why I want to go into the science field. The world of academia needs a preacher just as much as the rest of the world, and the only way that a preacher would be given any opportunity in this world, at least from my experience, is if he was one of them, having the same level of training they have had and in their intellectual circle. This is not to say that I believe we are smarter than the rest of the world, because I don’t. I believe intelligence comes in may different forms. For example, I know nothing about cars. If my car breaks down, I will have to have someone else fix it. It is an intelligence that I do not have. However, the scientific community tends to give more credence to their colleagues that from those who have graduated from other fields. I believe that God has given me the talents to go into this field and use them for his glory, seeking to save the lost who are not typically ministered to. Paul says a little bit about this in his letter to the church at Corinth:

“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law though not being myself under the law that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
(1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

If we are given the ability, may we too become all things to all people in order to win some.

It is an added plus that I will be given the opportunity to study the wonders of God’s creation.

“Great are the works of the Lord,studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work,and his righteousness endures forever.”
(Psalm 111:2-3)

Sometimes when I get overwhelmed or scared with our ever growing scientific knowledge database, I just try to remember who created it all, with its natural laws and tendencies. We have the truth, and true science will never contradict truth. That’s what I love about the apostles doctrine, our doctrine. It is truth. We don’t have to worry about explaining it, or defending it. It will stand firm to the end. If it doesn’t, then it isn’t truth. When someone asks me what I believe about a certain subject, I can just flip open the bible and read to them what I believe. It’s wonderful. God really is in control, and his word stands. I hope that you to will pick up his word and seek truth.

Say a prayer for me if you will.

Suggested Daily Reading: Psalm 19, 111, Romans 1, I Corinthians 9.

Glory be to The Lord.

-Walter