Holy Spirit in the Information Age
Acts 2.
How do you explain the role of the Holy Spirit in the information age? There is no way to prove the existence of the Holy Spirit outside of Biblical understanding. Many would be tempted to point to unexplained activity as proof of the Spirit’s presence, as if since there is no other plausible explanation then it must be the Holy Spirit.
Similarly, I listened to a Public Radio about consciousness. Philosophers were talking about how consciousness was a function of electrons firing in the brain. But, it was argued, that experience and feelings can not be explained as merely chemical reactions. There exists a gap between what we know about brain functioning and experience. Does God live in the gap?
Likewise, dark matter exists everywhere in the universe. We know this because we can see the effects of its very very little mass. But we can not see it and we don’t know what it is, yet it is everywhere. Is this realm of the Holy Spirit?
Or, finally, String Theory in physics allows for multiple dimensions, perhaps 10, 11 or even more than the few dimensions of reality that most people know about. Is there a “worm hole” or a fold in the twisted composition of space that would allow for a spiritual dimension existing parallel to our own?
All this points to a fundamental lack of knowledge in the information age. We simply don’t know everything there is to know. Yet we know more now that ever before in history, plus more is being added exponentially.
Pentecost celebrates the experience of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. Fundamental to religion and spirituality is the mystery of life, love and God. We celebrate information, too, but our connection with God probably will never be fully explained by science. Let’s not stop learning, though, searching and growing. AMEN and so be it!
But let our lives be filled with mystery, love, and the unexplainable realty of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We can relax the search and take comfort that some how, some way, beyond the realm of knowing, the power of God, through the Holy Spirit is working. It is working in our world. It is working in our minds. It is working in our hearts. It is working among our families and churches. It is working for the poor and underprivileged. It is working among the old one and the babies. God is working, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
As we rise each day to the Sun soaking light and warmth on the inhabitants of the earth, let our spirits bask also in the ever present glow of the Holy Spirit shining in and through us.
I love you – Bryan Martin.
