Here is a link to a PDF of the mathematical solution to the problem:  Interesting-math-problem.pdf

In case you were wondering, the young man was approaching the point the light was reflected off the floor by .94 feet each second. In the next few days I will post a PDF of the mathematical solution.

God and Math
Have you ever considered that God created math? He did.

Because mathematics is a part of God’s creation we know the following things are true.

1. 1. Math is dedicated to the glory and pleasure of God. (Rev. 4:11)
2. 2. Math did not exist before six day creation week. (Heb. 1:10,11; John 1:1,2; Gen. 1:1)
3. 3. On the sixth day, God saw the math that He had created and knew that it was good. (Gen. 1:31)
4. 4. Math exists because Jesus Christ sustains it. The existence of mathematics depends on the pleasure of God. (Colossians 1:16,17; Rev. 4:11)
5. 5. Math works toward the good of those that love God and have been called according to His purposes. (Rom. 8:28)

Many other truths can be stated about mathematics. These were the top five that came to my mind.

In my study for this post I was humbled to discover that I held a humanistic view of math. A humanistic view of math pictures mathematics apart from God. Prior to now, I understood that “God is Sovereign” over the creation that math models. I also understood that “math is a tool” for exercising Biblical Dominion. However, I did not realize that “every mathematical thought must be taken captive in obedience to Christ”. In other words, when we relate our mathematical thoughts to creation, we must go the step further and relate the mathematic thoughts to the Creator: Jesus Christ.

Here’s a quick example using the math problem in my last post.

math conclusion: “.94”

math conclusion + related to creation: “I am approaching the point of the light’s reflection by .94 feet each second as I move down the hall by 2.5 feet each second.”

math conclusion + related to creation + related to Creator: “I realize the precise and consistent nature of the LORD’s works as I walk down a hall with ceiling lights and a waxed floor and see the reflection beneath me move at the rate of .94 feet per second.”

Psalms 111:2
The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

I wanted to use the example I started with to illustrate my point. However, better examples of relating mathematical thoughts to God include measuring the fruitfulness and multiplication of our dominion work, numbering our days, counting the cost to build a tower, dividing inheritances, and much more.

For the boys that find the discipline of mathematics distasteful I have this rebuke. The mental discipline of mathematics develops our ability to consider the difference between God’s holiness and our sinfulness, and the sum of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.  Life without math is a vain imagination.  Consider the five points listed above and reform your view of math.

For those interested in a statement summarizing my understanding of mathematics, it is this: Mathematics is a system of thought comprised of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus and concerned with God’s handiwork.

This is my “mathematics thesis” for our generation: our mathematical thoughts must taken captive in obedience to Jesus Christ. For us to live should be Christ and to die should be gain.

Do you count all things lost but for the knowledge of God through the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ?

Nolan