True Colors

Let’s talk about Sir Isaac Newton’s: “A Letter of Mr. Isaac Newton.” Specifically, his concept of colors through the eye of a prism. Though his view on the perception of color due to light refractions/reflection, he was able to conclude that color is simply that: light refractions/reflections. White, being made up of each color put together is not actually white. It is a whole bunch of colors put together: our ROY G. BIV model from elementary school. Now, he would be cool enough if he merely talked about how colors are a refraction of rays and what not, but no, this guy went on and got even deeper. Why? Because that is what you do: you take what you learn and apply it to the world around you. It was not enough for him to say here’s what white is through a prism, here’s what colors are thanks to refraction. It is through his color theory that it is made clear that white is no pure, perfect color, but rather a combination of colors. It is not without color. It is in no way better than any other color. And why would it be? Simply because it refracts/reflects differently than another object? His theory goes beyond the creation of a color wheel, it dabbles in the ongoing debate of race. Based on his findings, one could debate that he, all along, knew that fighting over the color of skin is fighting over light’s reflections. A futile fight, and yet a never ending one that goes round and round.

For more on color watch this video

Now, Bunyan. I grew up hearing about The Pilgrim’s Progress, but Lord knows I never read it. If I had, I can almost guarantee that I would have made the same Christian mistakes I have made (sins? sins). I’m used to being told to be like Jesus, and it’s so easy to mentally say, “Well, that’s impossible, so…,” but with Christian, man, he sets a bar. He acknowledges his sin and goes on his quest successfully. Sounds like the ideal book for all Christians to read.Here’s where I appreciate his story: it went against the norm. It gave people the idea of free-will through free-thinking even in religion. Naturally, someone who is claiming to be God-appointed in his authority would find issue with people beginning to look at religion differently.

Fun fact: This still happens today. People have become accustomed to the traditional church, but people challenge it. What this means is that churches are changing. How? Look at my church for example: I have always attended Mount Zion (how suiting to the story), and it has always had choir sing before/with the congregation. On occasion we would even use hymnals. However, a few years ago they changed it up. Now there are two services: one with a choir and one with a band. The “contemporary” service plays contemporary songs and is more laid back. Why? Because not everyone wants to put on their sunday best anymore just to go to church. After all, it’s a place to come as you are. And now, there are churches who are LGBT+ communities. Again, why? Because people look at tradition and challenge it. And they are able to challenge it because they are not repressed by someone telling them how to think. They think, and therefore interpret things differently. And that is so important.

A church and community where all are welcomed