Fire, Science, & Spirituality

"Dr. Karl" Kruszelnicki, a well-known Australian commentator on things scientific, opens a recent posting on the origins of our use of fire (here) by writing, "Our human society could not exist without fire — and yet we often forget its positive impacts. While fire can be destructive, it also has a spiritual aspect, and it's an absolutely essential part of our modern world." (italics added)  Dr. Karl doesn't follow up on the comment about the spiritual aspect of fire, but simply mentioning it suggests an important point.  In the real world, things are not one thing.  They often are not quite what they appear to be.  They have multiple meanings, implications, aspects, and purposes.  Real things often don't fit our categories very well.

Fire is a wonderful example.  Dangerous.  Deadly, Painful. Useful.  Necessary.  Warming. Life-saving.  Chemical.  Destructive and Creative.  Spiritual.   Fires destroy homes and take lives, but they also provide quiet evening moments of dancing beauty.  No camping experience is complete without evenings spent silently watching the flames of a well-constructed, friendly campfire.  There is indeed a spirituality to such moments, a spirituality symbolized by the burning bush of Exodus.  Historically, many Reformed traditions have featured the burning bush on their logos (see here), including the current symbol of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  The United Methodist Church also features a flame on its logo.  Since ancient times, we Christians have associated the Holy Spirit and spirituality with the tongues of flame that rested over Jesus' followers at Pentecost.

Fire, thus, embodies and symbolizes the truth that "reality" is richly textured with levels of meaning and experience.  It provides moments for meditation, for coming to rest in a quiet place.  Fire symbolizes for us our deepest religious experiences.  And, there are times when the Spirit burns in the hearts of people—burns so deeply that western New York is still known as "the burned over district."   In the real world, things are not one thing.