Volume 33

Born in 1868 into a wealthy Jewish family, the budding scientist studied in Germany then worked in his father’s chemical business. He eventually devoted himself to solving one of the world’s greatest problems.

In the early 20th Century, millions were caught in a food crisis brought on by a shortage of nitrogen, which was essential for the production of fertiliser and livestock feed. But Haber and a colleague found a way to make cheap, nitrogen fertiliser, saving millions of lives. If his work had stopped there, he would’ve been a scientific saint. In fact, the scientist received the 1918 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

But Haber also helped Germany use his nitrogen work to make explosives, powering the First World War. Worse, the ardent nationalist convinced the military to use poison gas. At the Battle of Ypres in April 1915, he personally conducted the first successful use of chlorine. When a deadly cloud wafted along four miles of trenches, 5,000 Allied soldiers choked to death within ten minutes, seared on the inside by the poison gas. Thousands more were injured. Shrugging off criticism, Haber maintained that death was inhumane and the means was immaterial.

When she accused Haber of perverting science, he called her a traitor. Later that night, she shot herself in the heart and died the next morning. Undeterred, her husband had others arrange her funeral andimmediately to use poison gas against the Russians.

Years later, when the Nazis came to power, they refused to overlook Haber’s Jewish ancestry, despite his work and conversion to Christianity. The ageing scientist was forced to leave his beloved Germany. But during the 1920s, Haber had overseen the invention of a cyanide gas called Zyklon B, for use as an insecticide and a weapon. The Nazis used it to exterminate millions of Jews — including dozens of Haber’s own relatives. In January 1934, the 65-year-old died of a massive heart attack while on his way to Switzerland from England. Friends say he was a broken and defeated man.

Though Haber’s work had the potential to sustain life or destroy it, he always maintained his job was merely to discover. As a young man he said, “It is not enough to seek and to know; we must also apply.”

On that last principle, the Bible agrees, provided you’re seeking and applying the right thing. “If you just listen [to God] and don’t obey, it’s like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance,” says James. “But if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law — the law that sets you free — and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:22.25)

But that means recognising that all the choices we make affect others. Rather than ignoring implications, we must be concerned about the consequences and outcomes of our decisions, both on those around us and on ourselves. Jesus put it boldly and simply: “Do for others what you would like them to do for you.” (Matthew 7:12) We ignore that at our peril because “You will always reap what you sow. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to satisfy the Spirit will harvest everlasting life... So don’t get tired of doing what’s good. Whenever we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.” (Galatians 6:7-10)

In other words, motives and intentions count. Haber paid a heavy price for ambition, nationalism and refusal to accept responsibility, despite all the good his work did. We, too, can do incredible damage if our motivation is anything other than to glorify God and serve others. What matters most is to have good chemistry with Him.

By Rick Gamble. Published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications. To subscribe to this free weekly article, send a note to Rick at rgamble@bfree.on.ca