What’s this blog about, you ask?

Well, essentially, it’s about science and faith. My area of science is biology and evolution, ecology, and the natural world in particular are topics that get me excited. I’m currently a graduate student in pursuit of a master’s degree in biology. My thesis involves community ecology of birds in the Davis Mountains. You can read all about it if you’re really curious.

I’m also a Christian. I’ve had to think a lot and find some good friends along the way to come to a comfortable understanding between science and my faith. That understanding is still filled with tension. There are an aweful lot of people, both scientists and Christians, who perpetuate a false dichotomy in claiming you can’t enjoy both.

If you’re a Christian stopping by for the first time, you may be a little confused and even think my views fall outside the accepted range of Christendom. I believe just the opposite — that areas of Christendom have become very sick when discussing issues of science and a theology of nature.

There are four posts that I wrote early on in Ocellated’s history that essentially explain my worldview. If you’ll take the time to read these, I promise they’ll go a very long way in explaining where I’m coming from. I also think you’ll learn a lot if you’ve never had much of a background in science before.

1. Science
2. Faith
3. Evolution
4. Intelligent Design

Considering that my education and experience are in science, I will probably discuss that topic more than I will my faith. Frankly, I’m more comfortable this way as well, as I’ve never been one to wear my religion on my sleeve, looking for a fight as some seem to do. When I discuss issues of religion and faith, it will often (but not always) be as they relate to my fields of science.

My hope is that Ocellated will become a place where Christians and non Christians alike can come to discuss the world around us, particularly the natural world.

Thanks for visiting, and I hope you’ll return often.