Dear Fellow,
Think about the term diffusion in elementary biology for a moment. The process in which matter (liquid, solid, gas) spreads from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. For better understanding, think about what happens when a powder is poured into a container of clear water, a tin of liquid milk poured into the same, or when someone farts at a corner of the room. Think about how the clear water becomes coloured by the powder or liquid milk, or how the air in the room becomes polluted a few minutes after someone farts. Merriam-Webster Dictionary explains diffusion: “particles of liquids, gases, or solids intermingle as the result of their spontaneous movement caused by thermal agitation and in dissolved substances move from a region of higher to one of lower concentration.”
Phew! Now, catch your breath for a moment. Then, breathe before we continue. While at it, welcome to September 2023! I hope it turns out memorable for you, beautiful, and more. Godspeed and good tidings, good Fellow!
Let’s continue.
For the purpose of this despatch, let’s work with another definition from the Webster dictionary. Until writing this piece, I never knew diffusion is also a term for a socio-cultural phenomenon. The dictionary again defines diffusion as “the spread of cultural elements from one area or group of people to others by contact.” Keep this definition in mind as you read to the end.
Few weeks ago, my baby sister was chatting with other children in the neighbourhood. I took an interest in the conversation when they argued about the specific time Jesus was resurrected from death—whether it was “three days after His death” or “on the third day from his death”. The conversation brought to mind an interesting feature of the Bible: the Synoptic Gospels.
Now you may wonder, “What are the synoptic gospels?” Let’s address this before going forward.
In his book which was reviewed in last week’s despatch, Alister McGrath wrote:
The first three gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—are often known as the “Synoptic Gospels,” as they present summary accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus. The Synoptic Gospels include a significant amount of commmon material, which is sometimes presented in one setting in Mark, another in Matthew, and perhaps even a third in Luke. The same story may be told from different perspectives in different Gospels. Sometimes a story is told at greater length in one Gospel than in another. This is widely believed to be due to the fact that all three draw on several common sources, such as collections of sayings of Jesus, which were committed to memory at a very early stage.
Some of this material is common to all three Gospels; some is common to Matthew and Luke (which are much longer than Mark), and some is found only in Matthew or Luke. In each case, the evangelist (as the gospel writers are known) has drawn on his own set of historical sources to allow his readers access to the details of the central figure of the Christian faith.
My sister insisted, “Jesus arose from the dead on the third day after His death.” The others argued, “He arose after three days from death.” The argument would stretch for about a minute, as I listened closely to understand what was happening. Then, I cut in immediately: “Hello guys!”
They all paused to listen to what I had to say. Then I continued, “Why not check the Bible for the correct information? Make sure you check the four gospels also. You know they all tell the story of Jesus, right?” With just a little convincing, my sister went for the Bible. Then, I added, “You may want to check other versions of the Bible when you find the specific verse that talks about when Jesus was resurrected. Maybe, the difference is due to the different Bible translations there are.”
Driven maybe by the desire to outshine the others, she searched for the verses in each of the gospels that tell of when Jesus was resurrected. She wrote in her journal on the 16th of August 2023 (the note is left unedited):
The day Jesus rose from the death. These are the verse where you would see the ressurection of Jesus They are:
Matthew 27:63 (NIV) or (New testament).
Mark 16:9 (NIV) or (New testament).
Luke 24:1 (NIV) or (New testament).
John 20:1 (NIV) or (New testament).
Aside from Matthew 27:63, which serves the purpose of their conversation, the other three verses do not address the matter. Please, pardon the 10-year-old. The Matthew verse reads: “‘Sir,’” they (the chief priests and Pharisees), ‘we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again’” (NIV). The other verses written above speak only of the time of day when Jesus arose: Mark writes, “When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week” (NIV); Luke writes, “On the first day of the week. . .” (NIV); John writes, “Early on the first day of the week . . .” (NIV). To reach a conclusion on this matter, we would consider when He died and when He was resurrected in the Bible, then do the math. Or we would consider portions of the other gospels which have clue statements as in the boldened words of the priests and Pharisees above.
What’s the point of this narrative? My sister and her acquaintances learned to put their assumptions to the test.
We battle fake news in society today, among other vices, in relation to knowledge. Plagiarism is a shade of the problem also. Really, these things are the results of certain habits or bad attitudes towards information—which include reluctance to verify or fact-check information; and reluctance to question our own assumptions or those of our companions.
In the narrative above, I have only tried to illustrate how we can fight the spread of falsehood. It is by focusing our searchlights on the corners of society closest to us. It is by addressing misinformation within earshot before it travels. It is by making the effort to compare what we are unsure of with what is in the source or authority documents. It is by helping the little ones around us cultivate the habit of checking the source document when they are unsure of ideas acquired from the source document. Like diffusion, the effect of our searchlights focused in our little corners of the world will yield over time what a broader focus may not—we would be breeding virtuous propagators and vanguards for now and posterity even without knowing.
In other words, do not assume when you can measure, good Fellow.
Your LetterMan,
Tongjal, W. N.