MOUNTAINS OF IGNORANCE

Have you heard the one about the scientist climbing the mountain?

The image comes from Robert Jastrow - astronomer and planetary physicist - who was on the founding team at NASA.

Over the course of his career in science, he also established the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, pioneered the use of satellite technology, and had a hand in planning the Voyager & Galileo space probes.

When he died in 2008, the New York Times hailed him as the man “Who Made Space Understandable” for others.

In a world where many people imagine science and faith to be pitted against each other, Robert Jastrow never saw a conflict between his personal faith and his scientific pursuits.

In fact, he saw a profoundly different relationship between the two: one where science ultimately CATCHES UP to theology.

Here’s how Jastrow envisions the scientist climbing the “mountains of ignorance”:

“For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.”  

Be encouraged!