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The fact that the planets move faster as they orbit closer to the sun than when they are farther away does not enhance nor detract from your daily routine. But in his day (1571–1630), that simple observation could send you to the interrogation chamber of the Inquisition.

Because his mother was the first person to have him look at the stars and planets when he was a mere child, she was accused of witchcraft, imprisoned and severely questioned by the Inquisition for years.

Johannes Kepler was an astronomer, chemist, mathematician, author (“Astronomia Nova� and the first science fiction work, “Semnium,� which means Dreams in English), and inventor (Kepler’s Modular Infrared Telescope and the Valveless Pump) and was one of the key scientific minds of the 17th century, leading the world’s scientific revolution. Carl Sagan once described Kepler as the “first astrophysicist� and the last “scientific astrologist.�

Kepler was also a devout Christian of the Lutheran Church as well as a student of the Bible and theology.

His entire scientific career was spent attempting to reconcile his faith with his discoveries.

However, as much as I admire this giant of history for his technological contributions, his methodology of presenting his discoveries to a very unscientific world and his ability to respect those who did not comprehend his knowledgeable insights raises my esteem for him even higher. It is quite one matter for a person to be a genius, but to be able to convey one’s perception of knowledge borders on the spiritual.

Kepler’s breakthroughs would eventually be accepted by the entire world. Isaac Newton would build upon them to arrive at the Theory of Universal Gravity, but none of that would have been possible were it not for Kepler’s understanding of the human mind and spirit.

Today, modern psychologists know that to change the way people believe, think and act is not only a slow and deliberate process but must follow a specific pattern to be successful.

Altering the belief patterns or values that a person holds is not unlike the grieving process one endures upon the death of a loved one.

From denial to acceptance can take a long time accompanied by much mental stress. Caretakers must exhibit a great deal of patience to make the transition positive.

Kepler, in my opinion, saw himself as such a caretaker for the spiritually minded as they grew in their understanding of God’s heavenly creation. To his friend Galileo, who was enduring an extremely threatening judgment from less than kind churchmen, he wrote, “Create ships and sails suitable for the celestial air. Then there will be people who will not be frightened of exploring the barren wasteland of space.�

For many decades, the church as a whole has changed little. Denominations, theological seminaries and Biblical research were fairly stationary. You could go to any Baptist church and could count on a similar sermon, the same hymns and value systems. Or you could attend a Catholic mass anywhere and almost quote the entire service from memory. It was pretty much the same with the Methodists, Presbyterian or any other denomination one would care to fill in the blank space. But many of us old-timers are enduring a fantastic amount of change these days — music, dress codes, Bible study methods, vocal expressions of faith, musical instruments and more.

In many ways Johannes Kepler may serve as a role model. Though his insights were way ahead of his peers, his patience with others was exemplary of Jesus.

His struggle to harmonize the scientific world with the spiritual is still going on. But the most outstanding detail of his biography that remains foremost in my mind is a simple line he wrote about his faith and his work: “I believe that the causes of most things in the world can be derived from God’s love for man.�

What greater truth could be expected of so great a mind and spirit?