21 Aug The Changing of Minds

The Changing of Minds

A phrase we heard over the past year which really annoys us is “You can’t trust the scientists; they keep changing their minds”.  Informed by Paul’s experience as a research chemist of over 40 years, this is not a view of science we understand or agree with.  Scientists explore the world to find facts then build up models to explain what they have found.  Because they are continually exploring, new facts appear giving us greater insight into how the world around us works.  If the facts do not fit the existing model, we change the model.

Similarly in our relationships with our spouses and with God we explore every day and we find new facts about them.  These new facts can give us greater understanding and new insights into who they are and who we are.  Over the years our relationships with our spouses and God will change but this is a good thing.  It can mean that our mutual understanding and love have grown.  We have changed our minds but only because they have expanded and grown to encompass this greater understanding of the universe of love that we live in.  We can all continue to explore through sharing, sit downs and  our Teams meetings.

St Paul expresses this best in 1 Corinthians 13

When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and think like a child, and argue like a child, but now I am a man, all childish ways are put behind me.Now we are seeing a dim reflection in a mirror; but then we shall be seeing face to face. The knowledge that I have now is imperfect; but then I shall know as fully as I am known.