From ancient byways to modern highways, glimpses of faith are everywhere...

Thursday, December 8, 2016

John Glenn: Infinite awe at zero G



Glenn in 1964    (NASA photo)
Although astronaut John Glenn has been famously quoted as feeling fine at zero G, he is currently gravely ill.  Once again, America’s attention is fixed upon this
heroic individual.

At age 77, Glenn “became the oldest person to fly in space.”  He then made another famous declaration:   To look out at this kind of creation out here and not believe in God is to me impossible.

He sees no contradiction between faith in God and acceptance of evolution theory.  Literal interpretations of the Bible, however, lean toward the view that humans “in our current form” were created by God “over 10,000 years ago.” According to a 2014 Gallup poll, “4 in 10 Americans” adhere to this literal perspective.

In addition to being an ordained elder within the Presbyterian church, Glenn has also been a Freemason. Although not technically a religion, Freemasonry emphasizes the Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man.  Rev. Joseph Fort Newton, a Baptist and a Freemason, eloquently tackled the question, “What is a man a Mason?” 

Newton’s response includes these words:  When he can look out over the rivers, the hills, and the far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope and courage – which is the root of every virtue.  In other words, Amen to Glenn!

Resources
http://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/christianity/former-astronaut-john-glenn-believes-in-god-says-schools-should-teach-evolution 

Copyright December 8, 2016 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

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