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LOOKING FOR THE ENERGY OF THE SALT OF THE EARTH
Author(s) -
Isshiki Naotsugu
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
international review of mission
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.118
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 1758-6631
pISSN - 0020-8582
DOI - 10.1111/j.1758-6631.1977.tb02561.x
Subject(s) - faith , resistance (ecology) , energy (signal processing) , law , sociology , environmental ethics , political science , philosophy , epistemology , ecology , statistics , mathematics , biology
Professor Isshiki, one of Japan's foremost scientists in the energy field, teaches in the prestigious Tokyo Institute of Technology and is an elder in his local congregation (Kyodan). Dr Isshiki developed the safety design for the first Japanese atomic powered ship which, when it was floated several years ago, provoked heated public debate. Fishermen, anxious about the safety aspects, were particularly insensed by the project. Scientists countered with assurances that some of the operational problems which had appeared in the ship's trial run could certainly be ironed out, but popular resistance to the project continued. The people's resistance stirred deeper questions in Dr Isshiki's mind: What relationship ought there to be between his scientific calling and his faith in Christ? Could these two integral parts of an individual be compartmentalized? Had his participation in this project already shown that compartmentalization in his own thinking? Wasn't one's life a whole, a totality? But could these two things really be mixed? Should he leave his profession and thereby resolve the tension? But if he left his post, the present course of technological development would continue, and he would have no means of influencing it. Were not scientific gifts, such as his, God‐given? It was out of this ferment that Professor Isshiki undertook his research into new alternative forms of energy which eventually issued in his invention of the CDE engine, a history‐making event, and, for Dr Isshiki, a gift of God. We asked Dr Isshiki to write something for our readers on the scientific vocation and the responsibilities of a Christian scientist working at this very high technological level. (Editor)