matrix theology

There is a difference between art and science
Science is primarily interested in empirical facts. Science uses methodology and experimentation to verify a result. It involves controlled environments and known formulas and facts. It has its surprises and its anomalies; but it is, for the most part, boring in my honest opinion.

It is not that science isn’t valid. Far from it. Science yields a wealth of data, and as a tool, it is invaluable. But as a way of life or as a world view, it is boring.

Think about it for a minute. Science leaves little room for creativity or discussion. It is simply the power of the mind and a problem it confronts. It is about obtaining fact, not truth.

This is why evolution fails so miserably as a worldview. It tries to view the universe dispassionately, as a simple machine. It fails to explain the inexplainable, and chalks it up to “one day we will know.”

And science is only as objective as the scientist performing the experiments and compiling the studies. It is limited by his/her/their limitations or biases. And so, it is never truly objective.

Art in Contrast
Now consider art. Art is not bound by laws and formulas. A technically perfect replica of a famous painting or performance of an aria might have all the right pieces in the right places, but it lacks soul, lacks life.

One of my favorite musicians died ten years ago. His name was Rich Mullins, and he was a beautiful artist. He lived in a trailer and taught music to Indian children. Although his CD’s won awards and sold many copies, he would often delay a tour so he could go on a missions trip to Ireland or South America.

Rich believed in his art. It was his way of expressing his devotion to Jesus, his selfless love for others. He would say things that would upset people because of their simple truth. As one interviewer put it: “You have the capability of being quite charming and also extremely offensive.”

This was how Rich wrote his theology, with the strum of his guitar and his slightly shaky vocals. He called out to his Savior in the voice God gave him, with the art God instilled in his soul.

Art is expression. Rather than pretending that it is objective, art embraces the fact that the artist is subjective. His feelings and thoughts and driving values become part of his work. He does not ignore who he is in creating his art; he becomes part of it.

God is an artist, not a scientist
Science is really just observing God’s habits. He liked giving some animals spines and jellyfishes jelly. He liked giving birds good eyesight and apparently liked painting spots and stripes on African animals. He created the stars to operate however the operate (we think fusion, but we can’t get close enough to check); and he had a particular proclivity for dipping his paintbrush in the carbon when it came to making lifeforms.

He preferred green for plants because it made summer look full; but he went with blue for the sky and the ocean, just for contrast. He decided that planets worked best at certain orbits, and he apparently got carried away with the moons when it came to Jupiter (there are 63 we know of).

And when it came to making human beings, he figured my wife and daughter needed good looks more than I did.

My Point Has Something to do with “Happy Trees”
Really all I am trying to say is that sometimes we think science and rationalism are the answers to understanding life, the universe, and everything (subtle Douglas Adams reference). But they’re NOT. We are human beings with experiences and emotions – cold dead facts do not become us, and we have a tendency to twist them anyway.

We are, however, like our Creator, artists. If we accept that we come to the table with subjectivity, biases and baggage, then we can enter into open dialogue.

Today, I heard someone answer a question by saying, “Those are good questions and they deserve a response.” It struck me because in my mind, my answer went this way, “Those are good questions, and they deseve a discussion.” I don’t think we always have to have the answers. We get to enjoy the journey.

Rather than having to be right and have the system down, we can enjoy the dialogue. We, as a community, can enter into exploration together and get to know each other and the truth even better.

I remember Bob Ross. He used to be on PBS a lot, with his white man afro and his insane obsession with landscapes featuring “happy trees.” I think he really genuinely enjoyed helping people paint via TV. It was a real joy to him because he was creating, and he knew that you were creating along with him. It was a communal thing – bizarre I know, but true.

We should rediscover the art of conversation, instead of the science of lecture. I think theology needs to be an art, where we are constantly checking things, trying things and exploring possibilities. Art is not a free-for-all (despite some protests of the untalented hacks who are trying to get you to buy nothingness). It has standards, both aesthetic and technical. But it is also free to explore; and that is its strength.