This brief slide presentation provides a better understanding of the relationship between Christianity, science, and teamwork in God's continuing creation.

1. Christianity ViewedChristianity Viewed
from the 21from the 21stst
CenturyCentury
A Slide PresentationA Slide Presentation
byby
Dr. Robert C. FrankDr. Robert C. Frank
Professor Emeritus of Physics at Augustana CollegeProfessor Emeritus of Physics at Augustana College
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2. The View Today is Very DifferentThe View Today is Very Different
 The Christian world is very different in the 21The Christian world is very different in the 21stst
Century than it was in earlier centuries.Century than it was in earlier centuries.
 There are now over two billion followers of JesusThere are now over two billion followers of Jesus
and they share with others a world in whichand they share with others a world in which
science and technology play important roles.science and technology play important roles.
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3. God’s Continuing CreationGod’s Continuing Creation
 The quality of human life is improving at aThe quality of human life is improving at a
dramatic pace.dramatic pace.
 People are living healthier, happier, and longer.People are living healthier, happier, and longer.
 Transportation, communication, and modernTransportation, communication, and modern
medicine are far superior to the past.medicine are far superior to the past.
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4. Our Rapidly Changing WorldOur Rapidly Changing World
 With the aid of science, the kingdom of God isWith the aid of science, the kingdom of God is
growing to be very large as Jesus predicted ingrowing to be very large as Jesus predicted in
his comparison to the mustard tree. Mt 13: 31-his comparison to the mustard tree. Mt 13: 31-
32, Mk 4: 30-32, Lk 13: 18-1932, Mk 4: 30-32, Lk 13: 18-19
 When we repeat the Lord’s Prayer we say, “yourWhen we repeat the Lord’s Prayer we say, “your
kingdom come, your will be done on earth as itkingdom come, your will be done on earth as it
is in heaven” and today you can see itis in heaven” and today you can see it
happening.happening.
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5. Christians Participating in CreationChristians Participating in Creation
 The followers of Jesus are seen to be bothThe followers of Jesus are seen to be both
observers and participants in God’s awesomeobservers and participants in God’s awesome
continuing creation.continuing creation.
 As their servant leader, Jesus taught his followersAs their servant leader, Jesus taught his followers
to love each other, work together, and helpto love each other, work together, and help
everyone lead better lives.everyone lead better lives.
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6. The Increasing Rate of CreationThe Increasing Rate of Creation
 The rate of creation depends on pastThe rate of creation depends on past
accomplishments and the number of peopleaccomplishments and the number of people
involved.involved.
 As a result, in each generation, with moreAs a result, in each generation, with more
people and greater teamwork, the quality of lifepeople and greater teamwork, the quality of life
improves more rapidlyimproves more rapidly..
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7. Teamwork in ScienceTeamwork in Science
 Large scale teamwork in science began duringLarge scale teamwork in science began during
World War IIWorld War II.. A large team of scientists andA large team of scientists and
engineers developed the atomic bombs thatengineers developed the atomic bombs that
ended the war in Japan.ended the war in Japan.
 The development of the transistor in the lateThe development of the transistor in the late
1940’s may be considered the most important1940’s may be considered the most important
invention of the 20invention of the 20thth
century because it led to thecentury because it led to the
development of the microchip.development of the microchip.
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8. The MicrochipThe Microchip
 Large teams of scientists and engineers beganLarge teams of scientists and engineers began
creating tiny electrical circuits embedded in solidcreating tiny electrical circuits embedded in solid
materials. They are called microchips.materials. They are called microchips.
 Microchips are now used in radios, TV, computers,Microchips are now used in radios, TV, computers,
cell phones, tablets and control devices. Verycell phones, tablets and control devices. Very
complicated electrical circuits are being madecomplicated electrical circuits are being made
smaller and smaller.smaller and smaller.
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9. Improvements in Medical ScienceImprovements in Medical Science
 Medical science in virtually every country in theMedical science in virtually every country in the
world is far superior today than it was even a fewworld is far superior today than it was even a few
decades ago.decades ago.
 Much of that achievement is due to the greatMuch of that achievement is due to the great
advances in communication.advances in communication.
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10. Science as God’s GiftScience as God’s Gift
 I believe God gave humans analytic ability and theI believe God gave humans analytic ability and the
scientific method to make it possible for them toscientific method to make it possible for them to
help relieve suffering and participate in creation.help relieve suffering and participate in creation.
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11. The Bible and TeamworkThe Bible and Teamwork
 The Apostle Paul’s description of the Body ofThe Apostle Paul’s description of the Body of
Christ is similar to descriptions of modern teams.Christ is similar to descriptions of modern teams.
(I Co 12)(I Co 12)
 There are also many other passages in the BibleThere are also many other passages in the Bible
that support the concept of teamwork. See forthat support the concept of teamwork. See for
example Ro 15:5-6, 1 Pe 4:8-10, Pr 27: 17, Epexample Ro 15:5-6, 1 Pe 4:8-10, Pr 27: 17, Ep
4:16, 1 Co 1:10, Ec 4: 9-10 , , , ,4:16, 1 Co 1:10, Ec 4: 9-10 , , , ,
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12. The Rules of LifeThe Rules of Life
 The Ten Commandments and the twoThe Ten Commandments and the two
emphasized by Jesus form the rules of life thatemphasized by Jesus form the rules of life that
optimize teamwork.optimize teamwork.
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13. Living in God’s GraceLiving in God’s Grace
 No one can ever get it all right. Christ’s deathNo one can ever get it all right. Christ’s death
and resurrection brought forgiveness andand resurrection brought forgiveness and
successful teamwork cannot occur withoutsuccessful teamwork cannot occur without
forgiveness.forgiveness.
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14. Communication with GodCommunication with God
 To be successful team members, we need theTo be successful team members, we need the
wisdom, courage, forgiveness, and peace thatwisdom, courage, forgiveness, and peace that
can only come through prayer.can only come through prayer.
 Wisdom also comes by reading the Bible whichWisdom also comes by reading the Bible which
is now available in many versions andis now available in many versions and
languages.languages.
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15. Our Triune CreatorOur Triune Creator
 God is understood to be the source of allGod is understood to be the source of all
creation.creation.
 Jesus Christ is redeemer, spiritual leader, andJesus Christ is redeemer, spiritual leader, and
teacher of God’s assistants as they participate inteacher of God’s assistants as they participate in
creation.creation.
 The Holy Spirit is the unifier, forming and guidingThe Holy Spirit is the unifier, forming and guiding
Christ’s Team with the help of the Bible andChrist’s Team with the help of the Bible and
weekly church services.weekly church services.
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16. The Sunday Morning GatheringThe Sunday Morning Gathering
 Weekly worship services not only provideWeekly worship services not only provide
wisdom and inspiration, but also opportunitieswisdom and inspiration, but also opportunities
for the team to practice and coordinate efforts.for the team to practice and coordinate efforts.
 Sunday School is comparable to a learning labSunday School is comparable to a learning lab
where children and adults study and practicewhere children and adults study and practice
living the Christian life.living the Christian life.
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17. The Validity of ChristianityThe Validity of Christianity
 The proof is the more than two billion Christians, aThe proof is the more than two billion Christians, a
third of the population of the world, who havethird of the population of the world, who have
become Christ’s Team. They are God’s miracle.become Christ’s Team. They are God’s miracle.
 The fact that they have experienced love andThe fact that they have experienced love and
continue to teach others to love and care for eachcontinue to teach others to love and care for each
other is a demonstration of the validity ofother is a demonstration of the validity of
Christianity.Christianity.
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18. Christ’s Team Around the WorldChrist’s Team Around the World
The Distribution of Christians Throughout the World
Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life/ Global Christianity, December 2011
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19. God’s Assistants with CreationGod’s Assistants with Creation
 Construction workersConstruction workers
 TeachersTeachers
 ArtistsArtists
 HomemakersHomemakers
 ScientistsScientists
 Social WorkersSocial Workers
 ParentsParents
 CustodiansCustodians
 CooksCooks
 Medical WorkersMedical Workers
 ClergyClergy
 AccountantsAccountants
 LawyersLawyers
 Sales ClerksSales Clerks
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20. Christianity’s GoalChristianity’s Goal
 Many consider the goal of Christianity to beMany consider the goal of Christianity to be
eternal life, but uncertainty about how that is toeternal life, but uncertainty about how that is to
be interpreted has divided Christianity into manybe interpreted has divided Christianity into many
different denominations.different denominations.
 God’s call for humans to be assistants withGod’s call for humans to be assistants with
creation is a more easily understood goal withcreation is a more easily understood goal with
fewer conflicts. Decisions about life after deathfewer conflicts. Decisions about life after death
are left to God.are left to God.
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21. Strengthening the TeamStrengthening the Team
 Christians need a goal that is clearly understoodChristians need a goal that is clearly understood
by everyone and is inclusive rather than divisive.by everyone and is inclusive rather than divisive.
 Congregations also have to deliberately set upCongregations also have to deliberately set up
programs to train leaders in team-based ministryprograms to train leaders in team-based ministry
in order to coordinate their efforts.in order to coordinate their efforts.
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22. The Merits of This ViewThe Merits of This View
 While requiring a slight shift in emphasis, it isWhile requiring a slight shift in emphasis, it is
compatible with traditional and biblical views.compatible with traditional and biblical views.
 Science is considered to be a gift from GodScience is considered to be a gift from God
needed to permit humans to have a moreneeded to permit humans to have a more
substantial role in creation.substantial role in creation.
 It is a view of Christianity that is more easilyIt is a view of Christianity that is more easily
understood and explained to outsiders.understood and explained to outsiders.
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23. You Are Needed on Christ’s TeamYou Are Needed on Christ’s Team
 Aided by science, Christ’s Team is creating aAided by science, Christ’s Team is creating a
wonderful new world. Become an active memberwonderful new world. Become an active member
of a Christian church in your area today and helpof a Christian church in your area today and help
improve the quality of life for everyone.improve the quality of life for everyone.
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24. For Further StudyFor Further Study
This book is designed to helpThis book is designed to help
readers learn to think like membersreaders learn to think like members
of Christ’s Team.of Christ’s Team.
The cover depicts ChristiansThe cover depicts Christians
around the world acknowledgingaround the world acknowledging
their team effort.their team effort.
www.christsteam.comwww.christsteam.com
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