THE Scientific Method is a Misunderstanding

Elementary school science class taught me a basis outline of “the scientific method”. I do not recall the specifics but what has stuck with me is the overall flow of: hypothesis, test, measure, and conclusion. Recently I was informed that “the scientific method” is incorrect. Not the method, but the idea that there is THE (or just one) scientific method. Different sciences have different methods.

For instance physics has a method that works for Newtonian physics but quantum physics is more theoretical than material. Biologist have the benefit of knowing the results of their hypothesis much quicker than geologists who have to have a different method while waiting eons for rocks to move. The sciences have methods that make sense in their field but might not make any sense in another field.

Of course, these different methods are neither better nor worse than one another. While these methods are different in their specifics, in a general sense these different methods are unified in their efforts to better understand the mysteries of the world.

These different methods also contribute to a humility among the most respected scientist. A zoologist does not over reach into the field of astronomy in order to correct or condemn. The zoologist knows there are limits to her field and her understanding and those same limits exist in the astronomist. Each field respects the methods of the other fields. There is no attempt to prove the superiority of one fields methods over another. Criticism comes from within the same field - chemists argue with chemists.

For as much as religion has to teach the sciences, I wonder if religion has something to learn from science. 

I will pay you double

While so many of us are busy getting ready for Christmas and the end of the year, Rabbi Akiva (who lived around the time the Gospels were written) tells this little story. I remind you of it as a reflection to this Advent season:

I was walking home after the sun had set and while being caught up in my meditation, I took a wrong turn home. I arrived at the gates of a Roman garrison and a voice shouted down to me, "Who are you? What are you doing here?” The night watchman's voice was so loud it jolted me out of my meditating. Additionally, I was so caught off guard by his question that I didn’t respond. He then shouted again, “Who are you? What are you doing here?” I shouted back, “What do they pay you to do this job?” The watchman answered, "A coin a day!” I then told him that I would pay him double if he would come stand at my front door and ask me those same two questions every time I left my home and returned.

Who are you?

What are doing here?

What to do with the "We Can Also" (WCA) group in my church : a parable

Disclosure, the following has nothing to do with my local church. This is a parable that is fictional and clearly I am not Jesus, so this parable will not be of that standard, but here we go:

There is a new group within my church, called "We Can Also" and I do not know how to pastor them.

This group upholds all the same beliefs of the UMC but requires group members to meet the group's financial dues. The group has a leadership that is self appointed and outside the due process of the lay leadership team nominations and the administrative council approval. And while I love prayer, they are asking the whole church to pray for the group's creation even as many disagree with the creation of the group. Additionally, they are asking group members to advocate for the group's interests and seeking out new people to join the group. The group's leadership sets events on dates that the church has events already scheduled and members are forced to decided if they should attend the new group's events or attend to the previously scheduled church events. The group also seems to downplay the resources from Cokesbury and Upper Room for a newer publishing house.

The group's leadership does not see the creation of this group as violating the Discipline. However, the group's requirements on financial contributions and attendance puts people in a precarious position of choosing if they will take their time and treasure from the larger church in order to support this new group or not.

The new group has been asked to consider the harm they are doing to the church (thus violating the first rule of the UMC), but the new group says they will continue their work since they do not see a violation of the Discipline. And when reminded that there is a higher authority on the interpretation of the discipline, they stated that "We Can Also" interpret the Discipline. They went on to write to their group members that their pastor was out of line to say they are breaking the Discipline and that to call this group's creation into question is just another way members of this group are threatened. They explained they are only forming We Can Also, to support those who interpret the discipline they way they do. hen asked about how they interpret the discipline, the group leadership said that they understand it the "right way" and that if I interpret it differently then they will consider leaving the church.

I have a three primary concerns with the We Can Also group in my church: 

1. I am concerned We Can Also exists in an echo chamber behind a paywall. I am concerned the unintended consequence will be this group will become enslaved to their own thinking and their hearts harden (like that of Pharaoh in Exodus).
2. I am concerned others will be inspired by We Can Also and create their own group and the local Body of Christ will not be a body but disconnected parts (like that of the church in Corinth).
3. I am concerned that if membership to We Can Also requires that one agrees with their positions and pays dues then does offering communion at their meetings violate the open table of Christ?