By: Jim Virkler; ©2008 An old philosophical riddle asks, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” The…
By: Jim Virkler; ©2008 Several of the body’s senses rely on energy signals received from locations remote from the body. Sound is one example. Our sense of hearing relies on…
By: Jim Virkler; ©2008 Robust discussion of differing points of view makes science, and many other human projects, healthy and viable. For some, such discussions are distasteful and threatening. Others…
By: Jim Virkler; ©2008 The beauty and operation of our physical world has always triggered deep human reflections on how our sphere of existence manifests the existence of a deity.…
By: Jim Virkler; ©2008 The orderliness and regularity of apparent movement of stars and constellations of the night sky supports a scriptural principle affirmed in Psalm 119:89-91: “Your word, O…
By: Jim Virkler; ©2008 When King David penned Psalm 8, he must have flashed back to his former life as a shepherd. No doubt his night tour of duty included…
By: Jim Virkler; ©2008 When I observe bright planet Jupiter beaming its beauty in Earth’s night skies, I’m reminded of the story told to my earth science students each October…
One of the most challenging tasks of a science teacher, or even a parent or pastor, is to cultivate knowledge and a sense of wonder concerning the physical world. The…
By: Jim Virkler; ©2008 For many people, autumn is their favorite season. Autumn is defined as the intermediate season between summer and winter. Its more literal meaning is a “period…
By: Jim Virkler; ©2008 A recent internet home page feature article gave detailed instructions on seeing the tiny planet Mercury during the coming days. Mercury makes very few good appearances…