Biology ‘Cell Structure & Function’ Faith Integration

Biblically, Paul stated that the body is one but has many different parts. This means that gentiles, Jews, slaves, Greeks are different but are from one body (the body of Christ) and so their share things in common. The different body parts care for the other because one thing done by a single part affects all the other parts. Then, then Christ is the body of the church made up by different parts such as apostles, teachers and prophets. All these body parts are unified by one spirit and one each part should care for the other because all are part of on body (1 Corinthians 12:12).

The biblical perception applies in the study of cell in that cell is a single unit of life and it contains many organelles (the same way a body has many parts). The organelles are separated and they perform specific function.  Organelles in other words are called ‘cell compartment’ and they all work together to enhance the health and development (Karp, 2010).  They carry out their functions as coherent units and since the body cannot live without it parts, the cell also cannot survive without organelles.  Since the body parts includes hand, eye, ear, foot and more, the cell  also has parts such as  mitochondria which  produces energy and  releases adenosine triphosphate, nucleus which controls cell activity and maintains DNA,  vacuole which  maintains homeostasis and  storage,  chloroplast which  is used for photosynthesis and  more many parts (Karp, 2010). The cell stays alive when the different organelles are functioning well similar with the body which stays alive when the body parts are operating effectively.  Despite the fact that organelles play different role, they all work together to meet the cell needs. For example, mitochondria produce energy and make the ATP which is used by other organelles in their operations (Karp, 2010).

In biblical perspective, apostles, teachers, pastors, prophets and other individuals who have special gift have a common role of empowering church members. They are a cornerstone in building a strong church and followers who have strong faith in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:12). They must work as a team (body of Christ) to preach the gospel of Jesus. Without them, then the church would collapse due to lack of support and effective operations which helps the members to grow spiritually.  Therefore, the body needs its parts to operate, the cells need organelles to operate and the church requires strong leadership to move forward and to grow (1 Corinthians 12:12).  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Karp, G. (2010). Cell and molecular biology: Concepts and experiments. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.

1 Corinthians 12:12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX0S2lhsa2Y