Letter to the Letter
The
Scientist and His Faith
John M. Miller
Station Manager NASA Minitrack Facility
Geophysical Institute
University of Alaska College, Alaska
Regarding the question which related the Christian to his vocation. Here I feel is the paper's greatest value. I should care only to add the observation that the early church flourished not by virtue of the missionary efforts of Paul, Barnabas, or Peter, but as the Holy Spirit empowered the common man. If 3 out of 5 in the market place were slaves, it is not likely they were all won by mass evangelism or "full time" Christian ministers. I would judge that any Christian should be exactly what God has put in his heart to be-neither more nor less. A chief constraint is to ensure that to which we find our heart devoted is truly from Him rather than self.
It is true, however, that the New Testament norm is for a Christian to live a fruitful life. God is honored by a well turned loaf of bread from a baker, but what does the Bible say is the fruit of the Holy Spirit? And can one imagine a life in which such fruit abounds and yet lacks influence in its environment? We are told both that "He that wins souls is wise", and whatever we do should be done to the glory of God.
It may be that God's method of scoring is radically different from what we are accustomed. To produce with one's efforts ten loaves of bread is better than to produce just one. If the human soul is priceless in God's sight, are the many won to Him by the "full time" minister of greater value than the few by the professional doctor, scientist or teacher? Especially if the latter reach some successfully that the former could not because of a pseudo-scientific barrier perhaps? Will God be satisfied with only a part of His fold filled? The dedication of one's energies as exclusively as possible into direct service of God is indeed a high calling, and should ever be recognized as such. At the same time, no professional person, tradesman or bondman need apologize for the stewardship of his talents, if he is where God wants him. His only defense need be "I am not a ____ because God has not called me to be a ____". If truly spoken, then let him be a Christian workman in the New Testament pattern.