The Solar Eclipse and Cosmic Distances

  

HS #105 2024.4.11

 

The Solar Eclipse and Cosmic Distances

 

Did you experience the recent solar eclipse? Have you ever considered how special such an event is? Not because it happens only every few years, but because it happens at all. 

 

The moon and sun are just the right sizes and just the right distances from earth that the apparent size of the moon is exactly the apparent size of the sun. This allows, during a total eclipse, for the moon to fully block out the sun, while still allowing us to see – and hence study – the solar flares which emanate from the surface of the sun. 

 

Since the sun is roughly 400 times farther away from us than the moon, that means (via a simple proportion) that the sun’s distance across (its diameter) is roughly 400 times larger than the diameter of the moon. Since an object’s volume is gotten by multiplying its length by itself three times, this means that the sun is 400 x 400 x 400 = 64,000,000 times larger than the moon. 

 

This serendipitous relationship was critically important in verifying one of the greatest scientific discoveries of all time – the General Theory of Relativity postulated by Einstein in 1915. Essentially, Einstein realized that space is like a fabric of cloth and heavenly bodies sitting on it cause it to stretch and deform: “Matter tell space how to curve, and space tells matter how to move.” 

 

Most scientific discoveries are achieved by first observing a natural phenomenon and then trying to explain it. Not with Einstein. He thought it all out and only THEN was it observed. If his theory were correct, a massive object would slightly bend light – enough to be measured. Our sun is the handiest massive object around, so we can determine if light from stars on the other side of the sun will bend as it passes by. However, the only time we can see stars on the other side of the sun is when the light from the sun is blocked - during a solar eclipse. Cool! Einstein’s discovery was crucial for accurate GPS location measurements. 

 

Since we’re pondering celestial bodies, let’s get an appreciation for the distances involved. The International Space Station orbits earth only 225 miles above us, the distance to the Mackinac Bridge. However, satellites which relay phone messages must move in sync with the earth’s rotation, so they are 100 times farther up – 22,000 miles. That’s one tenth the distance to the moon – 250,000 miles – or 10 times around the earth. 

 

As noted above, the sun is about 400 times farther away from us than the moon –  93 million miles to be exact. 

 

When you get to those vast distances, we need a more convenient way of expressing them. The easiest way is by using the speed of light as a measuring stick. Light travels fast enough to go around the earth seven times in a second. So it takes 1 1/2 seconds to get to the moon and 8 ½ minutes to get to the sun. 

 

Using this same measuring stick, the next closest star to us takes light 4 years. On the other hand, to get to the nearest galaxy (other than our own Milky Way Galaxy) requires light traveling 25,000 years. 

 

How close are the heavenly bodies to each other? This may surprise you: If your hand were the size of a star, the next nearest star would be 500 miles away – the distance from Holland to Nashville, TN. However, if your outstretched hand were an entire galaxy, then the next nearest galaxy is the distance to your other hand. 

 

The immensity of the universe can’t be grasped. If the universe were the size of the earth, our earth would be smaller than an atom. 

 

This led the theologian/astrophysicist, Christopher Kaiser, to pose the question: Which is the real drama? Is it the evolution of the universe, with the rise of life on earth and the history of humanity being a mere curiosity, a freak sideshow doomed to extinction and oblivion? Or is the story of humanity the real drama with the vast panorama of the universe there merely as a background? 

 

3000 years ago a shepherd boy pondered the same when watching his flock under the night sky: “When I observe the work of Thy fingers, the moon and stars which Thou has ordained – what is Man that Thou art mindful of him?” 

 

Interesting.  As Immanuel Kant noted, for us humans, gazing outwards causes us to gaze inwards. 

Isolation and Loneliness

  

HS #104 2024.3.14

 

Isolation and Loneliness

 

A while back I found on YouTube an interview of Billy Graham way back in the early 60s. When asked what was a prevailing trouble in the U.S, his answer was “loneliness.” Most insightful – way back then. 

 

Certainly, the problem has only gotten worse over the decades. And, with some thought, it would have been seen as inevitable. 

 

It’s the bus seat phenomena. On a small bus with twenty seats, twenty passengers are forced to sit together. Although perhaps initially uncomfortable, conversations often develop. Indeed, this happened to me this past summer. With limited picnic table seating at Captain Ron’s Whitefish Stand in Munising, I asked two young men if my sister and I could join them. Introducing ourselves, we discovered that one of them grew up in Goshen Indiana and attended Goshen College – where my sister lives and worked. His cousin was a former student of mine at Hope College from the 90s. Before supper ended, I had exchanged greetings with my former student, and my sister had an invitation (from an aunt of one of them) for a tour of Torch Lake where she was heading the next day. All because seating was limited. 

 

Conversely, if enough seats are available, everyone sits alone. The wealth of seats promotes isolation. 

 

But that is minor compared to larger lifestyle choices. 

 

Where do you live? Most of us live in single-family houses often with large yards. We have attached garages which further limit spontaneous interaction with neighbors. We also have air conditioning with closed windows rather than sit on porches and chat with neighbors as did previous generations.

 

Have you sat next to a person on a plane lately? Not long ago, a long flight afforded opportunity to exchange greetings. Even reading a book could lead to an interesting conversation. I used to choose books for flights with provocative titles with that in mind. 

 

What now? We have the “advantage” of existing in our own world – even while sitting on a plane with 200 others. We watch the movie of our choice (no discussing a common movie), or are plugged into our own music or podcast. 

 

Indeed, I find myself ruing the slanderous advice from the 1970 song, “If you can’t be with the one you love, then love the one you’re with.” We need more engaging with the one we’re with, rather than limiting ourselves to our chosen friends who are always available via Facebook or another social medium. 

 

I live out this philosophy with a passion. Personally, I spend no time on Facebook.  Instead I meet people wherever I go. People are neat – most of them. They have interesting stories. Especially ones sitting alone. Last summer in Munising I spied a young man sitting alone as I was playing Celtic music with a group at Falling Rock Café. Greeting him, I found he was a lawyer from Austin, Texas. He was well read and had written three novels. I invited him to join us at our cabin campfire, and discovered a most interesting personal story. He kept us entertained for the evening. Last year a similar greeting led to inviting a young chef from Grand Rapids for breakfast. Another interesting story. 

 

In 1994, I joined 30 students and faculty led by Hope professor Harvey Blankespoor to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. I found myself envious of their close-knit villages with children running freely from house to house. They were poor in material, rich in relationships. 

And they were clearly happy. 

 

Perhaps that is why I lived fifteen years of my life in college residence halls. Four as an undergraduate, six as a graduate, and five as a resident director at Hope College when faculty served as hall directors. Twas rich living including classic movie nights with banana bread, ultimate frisbee and slip-and-slides.  Since then, I have lived on East 12^th Street, but seldom alone. Presently a 26-year-old and his 7-year-old son live with me – found on Craigslist. 

 

All of these thoughts were generated from a recent phone conversation with a former inmate from Fort Leavenworth Federal Prison. I met him several years ago through Prison Mathematics Project. Now that he is paroled and living with his brother in southern California, we are continuing our friendship. When I asked him what he missed most of prison life, his answer was quick. Friendships. And friendliness. And smiles and greetings and easy conversations.  Not to be found in the outside world. Which of us is in prison? 

Taking the Bible Literally

  

HS #103 2024.2.8 

 

Taking the Bible Literally

 

I once heard a West Michigan minister challenge his listeners to recite the Apostles’ Creed without crossing their fingers behind their backs. His point: Biblical truth should be taken literally and believed fully.

 

I found myself wondering what he thought of the Creed’s phrase, “he (Jesus) is seated at the right hand of the Father.” Does the Father HAVE a right hand? If Jesus were sitting at the Father’s right side, wouldn’t that mean that the Father has a body? 

 

Most everyone would quickly explain, “Of course not – that phrase is not meant to be taken literally. It means perhaps that Jesus has honor and authority.” Agreed. That’s my point. So we are not meant to understand that phrase literally. But doesn’t this immediately raise the question: What other phrases of the Apostles Creed were also meant to be read figuratively rather than literally?  Descended into Hell? Born of a virgin? On the third day he rose again?  We are not told by the authors which statements of the Creed they meant us to read literally and which they intended us to understand figuratively. Seems clear that there are some of each, but how to determine what the authors intended? Room for disagreement. 

 

So much for creeds, what about the Bible itself? 

 

Likely everyone would agree that when Jesus said “I am the door” (John 10:9) he was not claiming that his body had hinges and a knob.  However, when he said, “This is my blood” there IS disagreement as to whether he was intending to be understood literally or figuratively. Roman Catholicism maintains that the wine does in fact become blood. But even though believed to be blood, Catholics (as I understand) agree that it is possible to feel the effects of alcohol if too much is taken. Obviously, there are matters to be worked out.  

 

My father once noted that Jesus actually chided the Jewish religious leaders of his day for taking scripture too literally. Because of the prophecy that Elijah would return before the Messiah, they believed that Jesus could not be the Messiah.  Jesus countered that Elijah HAD returned in the person of John the Baptist who, like Elijah, had lived a solitary life in the wilderness. That is, they were taking the prophecy too literally by expecting Elijah. 

 

How did Matthew intend us to understand his Christmas story which describes the Wisemen following the star until it came to rest over the house where Jesus lay? Anyone who looks into the night sky realizes that this description can’t be taken literally.  Nothing in the distant heavens can appear to “stop” over a particular location on earth.  

 

Granted, we get warm and cozy at Christmas when reading it as a nice story. As with other examples (such as the sun standing still) they work as long as we don’t try too hard to make sense of them. However, Matthew’s Christmas account otherwise reads as if it was meant to be taken literally. It is specific and detailed. Matthew’s writing reminds one of a modern motion picture – such as Lord of the Rings – where it’s not clear where the real-life stops and the computer imaged animation begins. And perhaps like watching a movie, we are missing the point by asking such questions rather than just getting wrapped up in the story. 

 

But as with the Creed, once it’s understood that some scriptural passages are not meant to be taken literally, it raises the question, “Then how do we know which is which?”  Good point. But just because it’s difficult doesn’t relieve us of the obligation of trying to discern. Most things in life are not as simple and easy as we might wish. As C.S. Lewis pointed out, a table and chair seem simple. But don’t tell that to a physicist. The atoms and molecules which constitute simple objects are still being studied. 

 

At the opening convocation of Hope College in Fall 1999, Professor Charles Green challenged the first-year students not to fall into the trap of thinking that the world is simple and easily understood, but neither that it’s hopeless to understand. We must work at it. Wise advice – I’ve passed that on to my students ever since. It certainly applies to Biblical hermeneutics.

 

Bottom line: When deciding what portions of the Bible are meant to be understood literally, as in most everything else in life, there is room for honest disagreement. Sincere folk can come to different conclusions. 

2024 New Year's Predictions

  

HS #102 2024.1.11

 

2024 New Year’s Predictions

 

I’ve read that in the 19^th century, charlatans went from town to town spouting long lists of specific prophecies so that some were bound to happen. Then, in the next town they heralded their clairvoyance by citing the predictions that had occurred – not mentioning those that hadn’t. Clever. 

 

I’ll do the same with y’all. Below are predictions for 2024 – written and submitted before the year began. Note that while many may seem safe – even inevitable, they would have been unlikely just a few years ago. Shows how fast the world changes. 

 

Sports: The San Francisco 49ers will win the Super Bowl.  As I wrote in last month’s Holland Sentinel column, Brock Purdy from my alma mater (Iowa State University) is the 49er’s new quarterback, and Christian McCaffrey is their new running back. Between them, they are adding dynamite to a team which already has an innovative coach, selfless players who rejoice in each other’s achievements, and team dedication to mental discipline and excellence. A winning combination. 

 

How likely that a 36-year-old will win not just one, but at least two of the four major tennis tournaments in 2024? Yet Novak Djokovic, easily the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of tennis has the mental and physical toughness to do just that. Every minute of his life, every morsel of food he eats, is dedicated towards that end. Wait and see. 

 

Political:  Nepotism aside, Donald Trump will choose one of his two elder sons as his vice-presidential running mate. I’ve heard no one else predict this, but it seems obvious. In Mike Pence, Trump had a dedicated V.P. who defended him unfailingly and stroked his ego as necessary, describing him as a broad-shouldered leader. Pence was 100% committed to Trump until January 6, 2021 when he was forced to decide between Trump and the Constitution. To his credit, Pence showed the integrity at his core and sided with the Constitution. But from Trump’s point of view, that was betrayal. How dare Pence have such priorities! Trump won’t chance that happening again. Who can he find to side with him without regard for the Constitution?  Perhaps there are others, but Eric and Don Jr. are obvious candidates.  

 

Israeli war continues all year.  Why?  Netanyahu knows that once military action ends, he must answer for colossal intelligence failure. 

 

At its best, local government is free of political ideology and in 2024 such will return to Ottawa County.  Ottawa Impact country commissioners will be voted out, but not before perpetrating further pain and harm. 

 

Arts: 2024 will be another year offering superb local musical performances with free admission.  Three you should know about: “Free @ 3” series at First Reformed church of Holland on select Sunday afternoons, all organized via the hard work and good connections of Joan Conway, Hope College Professor Emeritus. The modern sanctuary is aesthetically interesting and acoustically live. The artists show the wealth of talent in the West Michigan area – especially from area universities. 

 

“Second Recital Series” is a similar collection of fine artists who perform at Second Reformed Church of Zeeland which has the most simply elegant sanctuary in West Michigan. Following the monthly late Sunday afternoon programs, there are tasty treats and a hospitable reception time. 

 

Finally, the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys (GRCMB) is one of a small handful of such choirs in the United States. Performing regularly in the Cathedral of St. Andrews, the young voices soar. The best directors from Great Britain’s choirs (including Westminster) eagerly accept invitations to be guest conductors. All these opportunities are easily found on the web. 

 

Science: 2024 will be the warmest year on record. Sadly, even though 2023 presently has that distinction, there is no reason to think the upward warming trend with resulting weather consequences will not continue unabated. Gladly, there is a glimmer of hope that the nations of the world are heeding the voices of their young people and beginning to make serious efforts to stem the rise. Scientific innovation will play a key role. 

 

Only twice has TIME picked a non-human for “Person of the Year”:  “The Endangered Earth” in 1988 and “The Computer” in 1982. The 2024 person will be “AI” – Artificial Intelligence. Making its strong appearance in 2023 with the ability to replace the human brain just as machines have replaced human brawn, AI will continue to make news as it changes our lives. 

 

 

Personal: One of these predictions will be wrong – perhaps this one.