Study Guide for COVENTRY 2091. Part 4. Chapters 8-15

Rousseau’s Plot

Genre Plot Stereotypes

I had earlier said that I write books that I wish someone else had written, but never did. For SF, one reason for this are plot stereotypes that are very common. Two common Science Fiction background assumptions are:

1. Since all religions in general and Christianity in particular are superstitions, they will be destroyed by scientific enlightenment. Curiously, the final demise of Christianity is slated to occur a few years after the SciFi book is written.
2. Since all religions in general and Christianity in particular are superstitions, serious religious people and Christians are anti-science and as Luddites oppose science whenever possible.

I don’t agree with the view that Christians are anti-science. Consider the following questions. Why did the age of science develop in Europe? Why not China, Egypt, India? Do you think Christians are anti-science? Why or why not?

What social developments in our Post-Modern culture might be anti-science? If you have trouble thinking of any, think about what science as an activity needs to be productive and successful.

Chapters 8-15

Being sent to Coventry was a hardship and a persecution. Can you think of any ways God turned it into a blessing?

In the Old Testament there have been instances of judgment by enslavement or captivity.

Terrible as the enslavement of the Hebrews was in Egypt, do you see any hidden blessings there?

Were there any hidden blessings in the Babylonian Captivity?

Have you ever experienced God taking a terrible or stressful time in your life and turning it into a blessing? If you’re willing, why not share with the group.

Rousseau’s Plot

What do you think is going on with Rousseau and his cronies?

Why is he recruiting newer inmates into his circle?

Any guess to what’s coming next?

Supplemental Reading for Further Thought

“It’s a lot like Nature’s [Nature is perhaps the world’s most prestigious science journal] change to the meaning of “ethics” — once meant to protect individuals from overreaching scientists, the concept has been broadened to prevent research that may hurt someone’s feelings.

Canada already lags behind many other industrialized countries when it come [sic] to health research and the creation of new drugs. The problem will only deepen if researchers have to factor social justice into their pursuit of the truth.”

Jamie Sarkonak. National Post, Sept 22, 2022.

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamie-sarkonak-when-science-goes-woke-people-will-suffer