General Revelation through Mathematics
Sarah E. Lash
03/02/2017

You may have sat in many a math class and wondered why. As a child, I would labor over long division, multiplication tables, and algebra, and shake my head at the apparent uselessness of it all. Mathematics seemed not only utterly impractical, but also entirely devoid of anything pertaining to the pursuit of Jesus Christ.

“Although my memory is fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior.” ~John Newton

John Newton was a giant of the faith; but he was far from perfect.

“In buying property, in building houses, in furnishing rooms, in forming plans, in changing dwellings, in educating children, it is wise and prudent to look forward and consider. Many would save themselves much sorrow and trouble if they would only remember—what does it cost?

The seconds tick by
Slowly.
My eyes wander.

My mind wants to
My heart bleeds for it
But I’m still so dreadfully
Unwilling.

The time escapes
Through the hands of the clock I suppose
I’m certain of it, actually.
It’s odd.

I want to—but I don’t
I try to—but it’s so hard.
Romans is actually for real.
Surprise.

Fast forward a decade or two
And I know for a fact
That I'll look back on what I didn't do
With regret.

Oh Lord my God I stand right here,
Do cleanse me now and draw me near.
I pray you'd purify my soul,
Please sanctify and make me whole.

Amazing Lord, oh wondrous God,
To Thee all glory and all laud.
Your mercy sav'd me from my sin.
A gift of grace given to men.

All glory be to Thee dear Lord.
Teach me to wield your holy sword,
Help me instruct and edify
Your image Lord to magnify.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

In our postmodern culture, the attitude toward belief has changed drastically from the traditional view that has been held throughout the ages. A desire to discover the reason behind belief is often greeted with confusion, incredulity, or even hostility. Truth has come to be a meaningless word, for truth is supposed to be relative. Everyone's "truth" is equally valid. No belief has any greater truth or validity than another. With this view on truth, it is logical to ask why we need care about the reasons behind belief.

Methuselah. It’s an interesting name, to say the least. A name which belongs to a rather obscure character in the Bible. He is probably known to most as the man with the longest recorded life span in history. He lived a grand total of 969 years; but that was really not astounding, as most people during his time seemed to live well into their nine hundreds. His own grandfather, Jared, lived 962 years. Adam lived to be 930, and Noah to 950.

I'm barely holding on. Somedays I feel like I could explain the gospel and what life means and answer any question some confused person might throw at me. But now...no, now all I can do is hold on to what I know, that God is holding on to me. What can I do with all the theology that people throw at me? Oh, it's important, I admit that. But when it undermines your core beliefs, how can you ever be confident and have convictions if you are always second-guessing yourself?