"We need more math and science!"

We live in a world of accelerating technological wonders. It seems that fewer Americans are seriously studying math, engineering disciplines, and the hard sciences. There is reasonable evidence that US students are not learning as much math and science as in other countries. And I'm biased -- I'm a scientist by training, and am concerned that the next generations develop a credible mastery of math and science. Their world will be significantly shaped by applications from biotechnology and materials science. Citizens lacking the capacity to understand math and science may well be the victims of it.

Side note: those who panic because our science and engineering graduate programs have many more non-US citizens than US-born students may be missing part of God's great design to bring the nations together and share the Gospel.

Christians should be the best thinkers on the planet. We should be training our children to think in biblical frameworks, to think logically, to study complex problems and work through them. (At this point we need remedial training for many adults!)

I also believe that Christians should be the best citizens in the US. We should train ourselves and our children and grandchildren in our country's great history, and civics, and how to live in community with one another.

But citizenship in heaven, through the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, is the first and second and third goal. As the Lord apportions spiritual gifts through His Body, the Church, so I believe he will apportion interests in math, science, history, psychology, economics, music, art, and every other subject. For each area of knowledge may be studied to develop our minds, serve others, and have an expanded view of the greatness of God. Each area can (and should) lead us into worship.