I’m a fan of both your books and your blog. You have a way with words and interesting topics and just generally being real.
I do want to clarify something, however.
These DNA discoveries do not conflict with the Bible. The Israelites were a disobedient people, but God loved them anyway and had a plan for them. He wanted them to remain true to him and that’s why he told them not to mix with other people who worshiped idols. The Bible tells us that they disobeyed.
Keep in mind that before the time of the exodus, they were friends with their neighbors, the Egyptians, especially while they lived in that land.
The Bible never says that the Israelites did not intermingle with the Egyptians.
After the Exodus and the 40 years of wandering in the desert, when God told them to drive out the Canaanites, the Israelites did so; but they did not completely wipe out all of the Canaanites as God had commanded. Instead, the defeated Canaanites became servants to God‘s people and the races intermingled.
Therefore, DNA testing would certainly reveal that the Canaanites (and others) survived to modern times, and also that they mixed with Israel and other nations.
I hear this same thing writing fantasy. My take is there’s no issue in writing it, rather do you believe it. Fantasy is just that, fantasy. And even much of science fiction falls into the category as well. Just my opinion.
It's interesting that this question is a common theme. While I was working on my PhD in experimental psychology, people couldn't understand how I could believe in something you couldn't see. The funny thing was that the things they were studying couldn't be seen either. Everything was inferred from reaction times, responses, and eye movements and theories were proposed from that. But you can't see what people are thinking or how they think.
Best of luck on the traditional publishing route! Would love to see your books in my favourite book store.
And everything you just described—my character Dan Kotler relies on non-verbal cues like that to "read minds" all the time. You can't know what people think... unless they tell you. Then it's really all just down to the language they're using. :)
My interest and curiosity now up and running. Your article and the obvious intelligence and thoughtful responses (yes, I read each one) gave only intrigued me more.
I just loved your thoughts and words, sometimes people do not like the word "God" and I usually tell them, well there's a force much mighter than us, which gave a start to everything - science or religion - one has to believe it! I believe in God - whatever name He has (Buda, Jeovah, others...) otherwise life would have no meaning!
Thank you for sharing this combination of science and faith. I have always believed that that both science and faith move us forward. Both also encourage us to change, to open our minds wider, to look beyond a narrow view of our life and embrace the many gifts we may not have seen before. For me, I cannot remain in one narrow, unchanging life path because holding so tight to something I decided 50 years ago would be unbearable.
I have found that those who are afraid to doubt or ask questions are unsure their faith will withstand it. Like you, I find that looking at the questions in fact strengthens faith. About a decade ago, I learned a song our choir did in church. It is called "Cherish Your Doubt." Music and lyrics by Elizabeth Alexander. It reinforced to me that doubt is a good test of faith , helps us grow, and I should never feel guilty about asking questions or keeping an open mind. The chorus is:
"Cherish your doubt, don’t throw it out.
That’s what true belief is about.
With a faith both tempered and strong,
Questioning only helps it along.
Use your eyes and ears and hands and heart and mind,
And what you find may change the world.
So don’t throw it out, don’t throw it out —
Cherish your doubt."
If you are interested in hearing a chorale rendition of this or seeing the the entire lyrics, I would suggest this Vimeo recording of the song by Vox Femina, an all women's chorus based in Los Angeles, that has performed all over the U.S., including Carnegie Hall. Cherish your doubt, don’t throw it out.
One of my favorite books is called "A Skeleton in God's Closet" by Paul L. Maier... Christianity faces a crisis of faith when an archaeologist discovers a tomb with bones that appear to be the skeleton of Jesus Christ. I loved the blending of science and faith.
It's interesting how so many people lean in on science being an executioner for faith. In truth, it's just the opposite. We sometimes think that knowing how the miracle worked means it wasn't a miracle. But we forget that we asked for that miracle, at some point. And God has always worked within the mundanity of His creation.
I’m a fan of both your books and your blog. You have a way with words and interesting topics and just generally being real.
I do want to clarify something, however.
These DNA discoveries do not conflict with the Bible. The Israelites were a disobedient people, but God loved them anyway and had a plan for them. He wanted them to remain true to him and that’s why he told them not to mix with other people who worshiped idols. The Bible tells us that they disobeyed.
Keep in mind that before the time of the exodus, they were friends with their neighbors, the Egyptians, especially while they lived in that land.
The Bible never says that the Israelites did not intermingle with the Egyptians.
After the Exodus and the 40 years of wandering in the desert, when God told them to drive out the Canaanites, the Israelites did so; but they did not completely wipe out all of the Canaanites as God had commanded. Instead, the defeated Canaanites became servants to God‘s people and the races intermingled.
Therefore, DNA testing would certainly reveal that the Canaanites (and others) survived to modern times, and also that they mixed with Israel and other nations.
There is no error or discrepancy in the Bible.
I concur.
I hear this same thing writing fantasy. My take is there’s no issue in writing it, rather do you believe it. Fantasy is just that, fantasy. And even much of science fiction falls into the category as well. Just my opinion.
Having read the Bible a dozen plus times, this was my first thought, Noelle. You just articulated it better.
Really appreciated this post, Kevin. Plenty to chew on when it comes to science, the Bible, faith, history. I love exploring it all through fiction.
It's interesting that this question is a common theme. While I was working on my PhD in experimental psychology, people couldn't understand how I could believe in something you couldn't see. The funny thing was that the things they were studying couldn't be seen either. Everything was inferred from reaction times, responses, and eye movements and theories were proposed from that. But you can't see what people are thinking or how they think.
Best of luck on the traditional publishing route! Would love to see your books in my favourite book store.
Thanks Stacey!
And everything you just described—my character Dan Kotler relies on non-verbal cues like that to "read minds" all the time. You can't know what people think... unless they tell you. Then it's really all just down to the language they're using. :)
In a pair of words: DEEPLY EXCELLENT!!
My interest and curiosity now up and running. Your article and the obvious intelligence and thoughtful responses (yes, I read each one) gave only intrigued me more.
I appreciate that!
I just loved your thoughts and words, sometimes people do not like the word "God" and I usually tell them, well there's a force much mighter than us, which gave a start to everything - science or religion - one has to believe it! I believe in God - whatever name He has (Buda, Jeovah, others...) otherwise life would have no meaning!
Thank you for sharing this combination of science and faith. I have always believed that that both science and faith move us forward. Both also encourage us to change, to open our minds wider, to look beyond a narrow view of our life and embrace the many gifts we may not have seen before. For me, I cannot remain in one narrow, unchanging life path because holding so tight to something I decided 50 years ago would be unbearable.
I have found that those who are afraid to doubt or ask questions are unsure their faith will withstand it. Like you, I find that looking at the questions in fact strengthens faith. About a decade ago, I learned a song our choir did in church. It is called "Cherish Your Doubt." Music and lyrics by Elizabeth Alexander. It reinforced to me that doubt is a good test of faith , helps us grow, and I should never feel guilty about asking questions or keeping an open mind. The chorus is:
"Cherish your doubt, don’t throw it out.
That’s what true belief is about.
With a faith both tempered and strong,
Questioning only helps it along.
Use your eyes and ears and hands and heart and mind,
And what you find may change the world.
So don’t throw it out, don’t throw it out —
Cherish your doubt."
If you are interested in hearing a chorale rendition of this or seeing the the entire lyrics, I would suggest this Vimeo recording of the song by Vox Femina, an all women's chorus based in Los Angeles, that has performed all over the U.S., including Carnegie Hall. Cherish your doubt, don’t throw it out.
https://vimeo.com/1012994189?fl=pl&fe=vl
I look forward to your next book. They always make me think and question.
One of my favorite books is called "A Skeleton in God's Closet" by Paul L. Maier... Christianity faces a crisis of faith when an archaeologist discovers a tomb with bones that appear to be the skeleton of Jesus Christ. I loved the blending of science and faith.
I'll have to find and read it!
It's interesting how so many people lean in on science being an executioner for faith. In truth, it's just the opposite. We sometimes think that knowing how the miracle worked means it wasn't a miracle. But we forget that we asked for that miracle, at some point. And God has always worked within the mundanity of His creation.