Thought for Today
Genesis 1:3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
Exodus 17:14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this as a reminder in a book and recite it in the hearing of Joshua
Mark 12:10 Have you not read this scripture: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
What is the greatest discovery/invention in human history? Some have postulated it was the taming of fire, some the wheel, others the computer, others something else. For what it’s worth, fire, the wheel and the computer don’t even crack my top 5. I do suspect that one’s answer to the question might well be generational and even societal. What is your answer?
This morning, my mind is (busily?) engaged in a debate between language, writing and paper. Language, the understanding that ideas and commands can be shared and transmitted via the vocalization of sound, is an incredible advancement in human development. So too is writing, the realization that language can be represented by a series of markings on some surface. Equally important, however, is the understanding that ideas and commands can be captured and preserved for future reference on some surface. Long before ‘the cloud’ and the incessant demands that I pay a ‘nominal’ fee to expand my ‘cloud’ storage, there was the debate among papyrus, parchment and eventually paper.
Without language, writing and paper, none of the other candidates for greatest ever would even exist. I can only speak for myself, but I think in words. Without language, I could not form ideas. Without language, writing and paper, or some other surface with which to capture ideas, Pythagoras of Samos could never have developed the eponymous theorem of a2 + b2 = c2 and the Egyptians would never have been able to build the pyramids. “The importance of pi has been recognized for at least 4,000 years. A History of Pi notes that by 2000 B.C., ‘the Babylonians and the Egyptians (at least) were aware of the existence and significance of the constant π,’ recognizing that every circle has the same ratio of circumference to diameter.” (scientificamerican.com)
As a Christian, my life is in large measure centered around the Bible. Without language, writing and paper the Bible could not exist. Without them, our earliest ancestors-in-the-faith could not have communed with God, could not have understood God’s speaking in Creation. Did God speak ancient Hebrew? How could ancient Hebrew have existed before God created humans? I don’t find those questions interesting or meaningful. I strongly suspect that were I to encounter a burning bush and to hear the literal voice of God, I would hear that voice speaking Texican. Otherwise, how could I understand God’s words? My mind thinks in words; my mind interprets the signals from my senses in words. Scientists can tell me about electrical impulses sent by my fingertips to my brain, but without words, how can I understand the concept of ‘hot – don’t touch’?
Societies and civilizations are shaped by language. Our basic understandings of right and wrong, of proper and improper are shaped and defined by language. I must admit that I never fully understood the importance of words and language before I entered seminary. I have never taken any courses in school that emphasized the importance of words and language . . . but, now I understand that without language, writing and some mechanism for capturing and preserving there would be no human societies, no science and no religion. Without them, I would have no Thoughts to share each morning and no way of sharing anything with anyone.
As a Protestant Christian minister, I firmly agree with Paul about the beneficence and utility of scripture. But, without language, writing and preservation of that writing, there would be no scriptures. In fact, there would be no way for us to understand the inspiration of our Creator God!
So, what is the greatest discovery/invention in human history? I’m thinking a 3-way tie for first place. Now, is 4th place the invention of chili or of gumbo?
Stay safe, listen for the voice of God, trust God,
Pastor Ray