I was raised in the evangelical Protestant Christian community. I attended Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening services throughout the first 20 years of my life. I attended Christian high schools for four years. I studied theology at a Christian Bible institute.
My educational background includes two and one-half years studying theology at a Bible institute, a Bachelor of Science in astronomy, two associate degrees in business, and a Master of Business Administration. I have an Associate in philosophy and a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. I have read countless books on religion and philosophy over the past years and the purpose of coursework in philosophy is to put some structure to my education in this field.
My work experience has influenced how I approach the questions we will raise in this blog. I have spent 40 years in manufacturing management in a variety of positions such as plant manager, production, quality control, materials, traffic, project management, and customer service. I have worked in industries as diverse as printing, railroads, water pollution control, electrical controls, steel tubing, signage, fitness equipment, and industrial equipment. Manufacturing requires one to address and not ignore the issues at hand; it requires one to deal with reality every day. I am not some ivory tower type who sits around all day contemplating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. I want to know what actually works in life; I want my beliefs to be practical, not theoretical.
My background in astronomy has given me perspective in everything I have done. Astronomy teaches us how insignificant we are compared to the universe; we are smaller than a speck of dust. However, this speck of dust also has the incredible capability of comprehending the universe. Henri Poincaré, the French scientist, says it better than I:
Astronomy is useful because it raises us above ourselves; it is useful because it is grand. . .It shows us how small is man’s body, how great his mind, since his intelligence can embrace the whole of this dazzling immensity, where his body is only an obscure point, and enjoy its silent harmony. Thus we attain the consciousness of our power, and this is something which cannot cost too dear, since this consciousness makes us mightier. . .Think how diminished humanity would be if, under heavens constantly overclouded. . .it had forever remained ignorant of the stars. [1]
I am married to Joann, an associate professor teaching children’s literature. I have two stepsons, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren.
My hobbies are organic gardening, astronomy, bicycling, aviation, and reading.
Don Wipf
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[1] Henri Poincare. The Foundations of Science. Lancaster, PA: The Science Press, 1946, p. 289.
