I have always been curious about the intersection of my faith and science. Usually, when the topic comes up it is defined by a very narrow view of evolution and even narrower view of creationism. Yet, the world of science and theology are far larger than either topic. After all, this debate is only 150 years old. Christianity and modern science intersect in the Bible often.
Recently, my wife and I have been taking a course on the Science of Happiness. What I have found fascinating are those very points of contact in which modern science supports the age old truths of Christianity in leading a good life. In the Early Church, Jesus was known as the Way. His Way, his followers proclaimed, led to abundant life. The abundant life was thought of as the good life, or the productive happy life. Jesus summed up his way as love God and love others. For Jesus and his followers, love was tied to acts of kindness, forgiveness and being grateful for God’s grace. His way was countercultural in that it wasn’t about money, power or success. It was about developing a strong sense of compassion as Jesus had compassion. It was about following Jesus in serving others. St. Paul saw that the greatest danger to this way of life came from the legalists and moralists, who used morality as a disguised play for power and control. From the Lord’s Prayer to many other practices of the early church, they showed a deep love for Jesus, God and others.
And to my surprise, these are what modern researchers have found in terms of what makes people happy. People who develop a sense of compassion are happier. People who forgive are happier. People who are grateful are happier. People who work for others and for the welfare of the places they live are happier. In other words, the truth of Jesus’ Way leading to the abundant life, if abundance is measured in happiness, was validated. The truth of Jesus’ Gospel was being proved by modern science.
The saddest aspect for me in the course, though, is how these elements of Christianity were not connected within the course. The reasons varied, but the some of the major ones have to do have these elements are being down played by modern Christians in a radical departure from the past. The danger that St. Paul warned about, the legalism and moralism, have taken root. We are apt to hear a sermon about following the rules than one on the importance of forgiveness, one about the dangers of secularization than on the power of gratitude. One about the gifts of the Spirit than on the fruit of the Spirit. Talk to non-believers and they see us as judgmental, oppressive, sour and not very happy. Yet, Jesus’ Way remains and it remains the way to happiness. Science and research back it up. Maybe the church needs to enter into a season of repentance.
I like your post Ernesto. Jesus’ way remains and remains “a” way to happiness.