---
title: We Are All Math People
date: 2024-11-01T07:30:00-05:00
author: Jennifer Vermeer
canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/we-are-all-math-people"
section: In All Things
---
[ View All Articles](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things) 

 [Essays](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things?category=essays) 

 Nov 1, 2024 

# We Are All Math People

 By [Mike Janssen](https://www.dordt.edu/people/mike-janssen) and [Jeff Ploegstra](https://www.dordt.edu/people/jeff-ploegstra) and [Elisa Benthem](https://www.dordt.edu/people/elisa-benthem)

A series on mathematics and Christianity

 

     ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/beautiful-woman-looking-camera.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=1c3a1f0d&v=7be8a7a9544caacd0a97744fc8f9c946430571260cd87f394b618e9ec6043780)   

 

 ![]()From baking to business decisions, planning to problem-solving, gardening to gaming – math is all around us. What’s more, math provides insight into the way the world works, fostering a greater appreciation of both creation and the Creator.

We are all math people, engaging in mathematical concepts that enrich our daily lives, whether we recognize it or not.

*By Mike Janssen, Jeff Ploegstra, and Elisa Benthem on November 1, 2024.*

 

 

       ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/business-people-crossing-road-manhattan-usa.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=40&h=25&c=b524c3a9&v=51c6d6068bf954517acbebd6d1923a145d25251c99e028885402550b5be97df3)  ## We Are All Math People

"Math was not handed down from on high, as if from God to Moses, fully formed and complete. Instead, despite standards of proof that are certainly different from many other disciplines, mathematical progress looks like progress elsewhere: **halting, nonlinear, five steps forward and three back,** attained through experimentation and conjecture before tidy proof."

 

  [### Math From Every Angle

In a father's heartfelt letter, he expresses concern about his daughter's aversion to math, emphasizing how a strong math foundation can enrich life.

 Learn More  

 ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/math-from-every-angle)  

  [### Exploring the Human Side of Math

Math is more human than you might think. Explore how a deeper understanding of math, especially in the context of research, can encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and marveling at the complexity of God's good creation.

 Learn More  

 ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/exploring-the-human-side-of-math)  

  [### Math is Good

How might our understanding of creation deepen if we viewed mathematics not just as a tool, but as a reflection of God's design?

 Learn More  

 ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/math-is-good)  

 

 

 

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 ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)     ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/i-pGGqLGs-X3_2024-11-13-195007.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&c=bc00656c&v=e62248e5eafc8148fb71cd9e499265bf439690ef7d9aed43b8b6fbdad8b7d04a)   

      ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a815a190cedc5d361.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=25&h=25&f=webp&c=0a808553&v=a50d66be861b4523bd5daf1eed053004d989c42afdb21a29bb30d480516f3e2b)   

### About the Author

 Mike Janssen 

Dr. Mike Janssen serves as professor of mathematics at Dordt University.

 

 [Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/people/mike-janssen)

 

 

     ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a815b8161c942e809.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=25&h=25&f=webp&c=e5cdb8ef&v=6c183d1879e9c32b715186ab02f7d446a3b9afba2fb06f383bf178e956d694db)   

### About the Author

 Jeff Ploegstra 

Dr. Jeff Ploegstra serves as dean for Foundational and Health Sciences at Dordt University.

 

 [Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/people/jeff-ploegstra)

 

 

### About the Author

 Elisa Benthem 

Elisa Benthem is a senior majoring in mathematics and physics at Dordt University.

 

 [Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/people/elisa-benthem)

 

 

---

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 Nov 01, 2024 

## The Antidote to Busyness

 By Dave Mulder

Society seems to glorify busyness, often equating it with productivity and success. But what if we took a step back and considered how we choose to fill our lives?

Read More

 

 

 ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/the-antidote-to-busyness)  [Next Article

     ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatmorethanwork.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=54f85f8d&v=776b7f0e3cafea3c1bdc55a3e966733383fd91740e4ccb92407f498514aa9128)   Essays 

 Nov 01, 2024 

## More Than Work

 By Erik Hoekstra

Perhaps it's time to re-evaluate the role of work in our lives. Explore the connection between work, faith, and fulfillment in the lives of Christians.

Read More

 

 

 ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/more-than-work)  [  ![]() ## In All Things

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