Reports on such issues as evolution, the origin of the universe, and climate change, are literally covered daily in the mainstream press, often with a self-confident undercurrent that relegates anyone who dares questions the scientific community’s conclusions on these issues as ‘backward’, ignorant, blinded by archaic, repressive and downright dangerous religious beliefs.

One may even venture to say that science, at least for some, has become a new religion. These scientists, newscasters, pundits and the like see science as somehow unassailable, due to the logic, replicable experimentation, and peer-review standards that are key to scientific legitimacy. This of course is in stark contrast to faith, which cannot be measured like a scientific experiment, and which does not lend itself to verifiable testing and the like.

The current great divide between science and faith was not always as wide as it is today. Dan Graves’ book, Scientists of Faith, published by Kregel Resources, 1996, presents forty-eight short profiles of scientists who have made enormous contributions to their respective fields, while maintaining a strong personal faith.  Continue reading Science and Faith →

Brother Sun, Sister Moon, a film by Franco Zefirelli

The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi, translated with an introduction and notes by Father Paschal Robinson, and edited by Paul A. Boer, Sr.

Intro

With his election to the papacy in 2013, the Argentinian cardinal, Jorge Mario Bergoglio has become a pioneer in a number of capacities: the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, the first Jesuit, and the first from the Americas.  He is also the first, in the almost 900 years since the death of the Italian saint, Francis of Assisi, to take the name, Francis. And judging from the media coverage he has certainly lived up to the reputation of the 12^th century saint–known for his simple lifestyle and identification with the poor–by pursuing a life of relative humility (living in the papal guest house instead of the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace) and displaying an uncommon empathy for the marginalized and the sick (washing the feet of the disabled and the sick).

The Pope, to many (myself included), is truly inspiring. He has piqued my interest in his namesake. And so, here is an extremely high level view of the original Francis, as seen through a biographical film and a translation of his own writings.

Brother Sun, Sister Moon

In 1972 the motion picture Brother Sun, Sister Moon was released. Produced and directed by the renowned filmmaker, Franco Zefirelli (Romeo and Juliet, Jesus of Nazareth) it presents the early life of the Italian saint, Francis of Assisi, 1181/2-1226.  It follows ‘Francesco’, Continue reading St. Francis of Assisi →