Six Ways, Yea Seven, that Scripture is Integral to our Science and Math Classes Sean Bird, AP Calculus and Physics teacher Covenant Christian High School 16th Biennial Conference, June 1,

Just as old or bleary- eyed men and those with weak vision, if you thrust before them a most beautiful volume, even if they recognize it to be some sort of writing, yet can scarcely construe two words, but with the aid of spectacles will begin to read distinctly; so Scripture, gathering up the otherwise confused knowledge of God in our minds, having dispersed our dullness, clearly shows us the true God. (I.vi.1, p.70)

I think that each individual man should do all he can to impress his own mind with the extent, the order, and the unity of the universe, and should carry these ideas with him as he reads such passages as the 1st Chap. of the Ep. to Colossians (see Lightfoot on Colossians, p.182), just as enlarged conceptions of the extent and unity of the world of life may be of service to us in reading Psalm viii, Heb ii 6, etc. - James Clerk Maxwell, founder of E&M

1. Memorize It Physics — Psalm 19:1 and Romans 1:20 Biology — Psalm 139:13-14 Chemistry — Colossians 1:17 Probability and Statistics — Proverbs 16:33 Calculus (a study of the infinite and infinitesimal) — Job 11:7-9 Algebra (restoring the balance to an equation) — Acts 3:19-21, or Isaiah 53:5 (for the principle of substitution).

But although the Lord represents both himself and his everlasting Kingdom in the mirror of his works with very great clarity, such is our stupidity that we grow increasingly dull toward so manifest testimonies, and they flow away without profiting us. For with regard to the most beautiful structure and order of the universe, how many of us are there who, when we lift up our eyes to heaven or cast them about through the various regions of earth, recall our minds to remembrance of the Creator, and do rather disregarding their Author, sit idly in contemplation of his works? (I.v.11, p.63)

2. Sing it Colossians 3:16 We have sung  Psalm 19  Psalm 29  Psalm 16  Psalm 111  Psalm 8

5. 7 Jehovah’s perfect law Restores the soul again; His testimony sure Gives wisdom unto men; 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, And fill the heart with great delight. 6. The LORD’s command is pure, Enlightening the eyes; 9 Jehovah’s fear is clean, More lasting than the skies. The judgments of the LORD express His truth and perfect righteousness They’re more to be desired Than stores of finest gold; Than honey from the comb More sweetness far they hold. 11 With warnings they Thy servant guard In keeping them is great reward His errors who can know? Cleanse me from hidden stain 13 Keep me from willful sins, Nor let them o’er me reign. And then I upright shall appear And be from great transgression clear Let all the words I speak And all the thoughts within Come up before Thy sight And Thine approval win. O Thou Jehovah, unto me My rock and my Redeemer be. Psalm 19

Psalm His works most wondrous He has made Remembered still to be. Jehovah is compassionate And merciful is He Those fearing Him He fills with food Provided by His hand. He keeps in mind His covenant, That it may ever stand He has the pow·er of His works To His own people shown By giving them the heritage Of nations for their own 7. 7 His handiworks are truth and right; His precepts all are sure. 8 Set up in truth and uprightness, They ever shall endure He sent redemption to His folk, His cov’nant did proclaim To last forever. Reverend And holy is His name The man who fears the L ORD has learned The first of wisdom’s ways. They who obey will understand. Forever last His praise.

3. Apply it 2 Chronicles 18 Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab  Verse 33  Parabola  Projectile motion 1 Samuel 17 David and Goliath  Verse 49  Circular motion  Centripetal force Exodus 19:12 “Put limits for the people around the mountain…”

“Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.’” (Exodus 19:12) God is holy and as He was in a special way present on Mount Sinai, the Israelites were to recognize this by walking in holy fear. The Decalogue was about to be given. These Ten Commandments give us parameters within which to live our lives in freedom and love. Christ does something first. Exodus 19:4 states, “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” King Jesus accomplishes redemption: (i) He conquers our enemies of sin, Satan, and death, (ii) He delivers us or bears us up as on eagles’ wings – this is an amazing picture of gentleness and freedom, and (iii) He draws us to Himself. What is a limit? As the Israelites approached the mountain, they got closer and closer to the limit that was set. Like with an electrical fence, sometimes it is bad news if you touch that limit, but it is okay to get arbitrarily close to it. Excerpt taken from Christ-Centered Mathematics

4. Test for it Assessment is important  even Jesus tested his disciples (John 6:6) Memorization quiz Relate it to other things.  Draw analogies

5. Obey it Academic expectations  Integrity Behavior expectations Homework

6. Integrate it ACSI – Math by Design RadicalMath.org Kuyers Mathematics

7. Read & Exposit it Read it every day (Dt 17:31) Make it clear and understandable (Neh 8:8) Christ-Centered Mathematics: Daily Math Devotionals  N Mathematical Aspects of God’s Nature  OOrigin of Mathematics  PPurpose of Mathematics and why a Christian should study it  QEquations and Arithmetic Operations Demonstrated  RRebellion  SSubject specific verses for Calculus  TAttitudes and Attributes for Actions  UMathematical Sciences

Recommended links “Topical Mathematical Memory Verse Cards” for “Christ-centered Mathematics: Daily Math Devotionals” (by Sean Bird) For the “Topical Memory Verse Card” outline, see History of Mathematics PowerPoints (by Calculus students of Sean Bird) “Christianity and Mathematics: Devotionals Connected to Mathematical Content” (by Sharon K. Robbert, professor of mathematics at Trinity Christian College)