Jesus Accelerates a Particle

Because of its success in explaining a wide variety of experimental results, the Standard Model is sometimes regarded as a “theory of almost everything.”—Wikipedia

for Chris Wiman

96% of the universe is what we don’t
see. When Jesus held up his arms

to part the atoms he did not indicate
you had to have mass: your particles

all accounted for but the one that really
mattered. He did not specify you the one

to live forever, the one to write the poem
that completes the theory of everything.

It is not possible to see in the dark to
discover the spot on the x-ray where expansion

of the universe is apparent. He, who put
you together in, who knew you when, raising

his arms, letting you go, accelerating you
toward the speed of light though you never

quite arrive. Your body gaining mass your
hair growing back, time slowing down

for everyone but you.

—Marci Rae Johnson

Copyright © 2014 by the author or Christianity Today/Books & Culture magazine.Click here for reprint information on Books & Culture.

Also in this issue

Books & Culture was a bimonthly review that engaged the contemporary world from a Christian perspective. Every issue of Books & Culture contained in-depth reviews of books that merit critical attention, as well as shorter notices of significant new titles. It was published six times a year by Christianity Today from 1995 to 2016.

Our Latest

Review

Puns and Pettiness in ‘The Promised Land’

Peter T. Chattaway

The YouTube mockumentary works best when it pulls laughs directly from Exodus.

The Russell Moore Show

Listener Question: Should We Sing Worship Songs By Fallen Songwriters?

Russell takes a listener’s question about whether the work of fallen songwriters and authors should be used for worship.

Excerpt

Apologetics After Christendom

The Bulletin with Collin Hansen

How to share your faith in a “spiritual but not religious” world.

Analysis

Christian Brides Don’t Need to Wear White

How Scripture offers grace in wedding planning.

The Bulletin

Sunday Afternoon Reads: An American Deportation

Andy Olsen reads his piece about a Christian couple’s 35-year stay in America, and how it came to an end.

News

Malaysian Court Vindicates Family of Abducted Pastor

A judge finds authorities complicit in Raymond Koh’s disappearance, granting millions in damages and ordering a new investigation.

News

When God Closes a Church, He Opens Another?

Robert Herguth

US evangelicals are buying up shuttered Catholic properties.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube