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 an you imagine the world today without radios
or telephones? Much of the development of telephones, wireless telegraphs
and broadcasting are dependent on the work in electric circuitry done
by British scientist William Thomson in the mid-19th century.
At 22 William became a professor of natural philosophy at the University
of Glasgow, where he remained for fifty-three years. His passionate earnestness
in his scientific investigations, his practical ability, and his simplicity
of character made him a favorite with his students.
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Thomson maintained a strong and simple Christian faith throughout his
life. He faithfully studied the Bible, and his Christian faith pervaded
all of his work. He always began his college classes with prayer and looked
upon his scientific work as a kind of worship. He believed science must
be treated with reverence, for a close observation of the phenomena of
nature brought one closer to understanding God's works: If you think strongly
enough, you will be forced by Science to a belief in God, which is the
foundation of all religion. He believed study of the scientific laws was
the noblest privilege God granted to man's intelligence.
Thomson strenuously opposed Darwin's evolutionary theories of natural
selection and thought them unscientific. An admirer of Paley's Natural
Theology, Thomson believed Darwin ignored clear evidences of God's design
in creation, and he refused to believe that atoms of dead matter could
ever come together to make life.
Thomson was the first scientist to actually study the concept of energy,
and he established the science of thermodynamics with his formulation
of the first and second laws. His studies led him to establish what we
use daily--a scale of absolute temperatures.
Thomson was not just an abstract scientist, but designed and developed
many scientific instruments to practically apply his theories. In 1881
he had the first house in Scotland with electric lighting, developing
many of the switches, fuses, and equipment himself. He developed the instruments
which made the Atlantic cable possible, and in 1858 he supervised its
laying. On August 5, 1858, the first message was sent from America to
Europe: "Europe and America are united by telegraphic communication.
Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace, good will towards men."
It was for the laying of the Atlantic Cable that Thomson was made a
baron and became Lord Kelvin. This is the name we most often know him
by today.
DISTANT DATELINE: Images Restored
NICEA 787 AD After over 50 years of fierce dispute, icons will at last
be allowed back into the churches. One of the main conclusions of the
7th ecumenical council concluding its meetings at Nicea this week is that
images or icons of the saints, Mary, and Christ are not to be worshiped,
but can be honored. Agreeing with John of Damascus, the council of 350
bishops decided images can be used to instruct and assist believers in
the worship of Christ.
This goes against a synod of bishops which met at Constantinople back
in 754 that described icons as idolatry and a violation of the second
commandment. Supporters of icons were excommunicated, mutilated and sent
into exile. At that time Emperor Constantine V tried to limit the cult
of saint worship by also destroying their relics and condemning prayers
to them. If symbols and art were needed in the churches, the Emperor believed
pictures of the cross, the Bible and the elements of the Lord's Supper
were sufficient.
The debate over images has been both a political and religious debate.
Emperor Leo II in 730 issued an edict for the removal or destruction of
all religious icons in public places and churches. Gregory II, Bishop
of Rome, objected, stating that "Dogmas are not the business of emperors
but of pontiffs." Leo's opposition to religious images was in part
a response to repeated accusations of idolatry the Jews and Mohammedans
were making against the Christians, but his iconoclastic position seemed
to cause the Bishop of Rome to move politically closer to the Franks.
This has been a long, painful controversy. Whether the present ruling
in favor of icons will heal the growing rift between the eastern and western
churches and empire is yet unclear. What is clear, however, is that the
people have their images returned to them and the veneration of the saints
has been restored. |
