For the past 50 years, the Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation has facilitated discussions about science and Christian faith in Canada. As part of our 50th-anniversary celebrations, we asked 50 CSCA members to comment on their personal connections to science, scripture, and Canadian scenery. We will share these contributions throughout 2023 in the hope that you will find them engaging and encouraging.
CSCA member of the week: Randall McArthur, Retired Senior Safety Specialist – Physics, SNC-Lavalin.
1. Why did you choose your scientific discipline?
I was fascinated by math as a fantastic tool for explaining how the world works, and I like to break concepts down into their simple parts. This led me to explore string theory, which was just coming into vogue around the time of my PhD. Now in retirement from industry, I remain interested in physics at its most elementary level (if there is such a thing). Given how closely God’s cognition is tied to creation through His word, I’d also like to understand the cognitive and spiritual context of theoretical physics, even though they are outside of the physics discipline.
2. What is one of your favourite Bible verses and why?
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
—John 17:17
I see truth to be an inherent part of who God is and his words a key aspect of his creative nature. In God’s likeness, humankind creates effective and logically objective models of our universe. I am particularly interested in such modelling.
3. Which Canadian city or landscape do you love exploring and why?
I love exploring the Canadian Shield in Ontario and Quebec, as well as the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. God’s handiwork in nature inspires and refreshes me.