Science vs. God?
Science is defined as:
the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.
a systematically organized body of knowledge on a particular subject.
Thank You Mr. Koss
Ever since my 7th grade teacher introduced me to chemistry, I have had a passion for science and wanted to understand how things work. Not long after the start of my serious pursuit of Christianity, I was faced with what seemed to be conflicts between some Old Testament passages and science. Each additional question fueled my quest for truth. Consequently, I have spent countless hours over the years investigating how science and God fit together. I owe a debt of thanks to my husband, Jim, for his relentless insistence that I hear his input:
“Consider and appreciate the vast body of evidence in support of an old earth, the big bang, and how life evolved on our planet—unwelcome ideas in many religious corners. An enormous number of observations, measurements, and knowledge scientists have gained in a variety of fields all converge, they all agree, they all point to a unified, coherent, consistent picture of how the earth got here, how we got here. Geologists studying rocks and Earth’s interior, chemists and biologists examining at the molecular level including DNA, astronomers’ discoveries about the workings of our solar system and the galaxies beyond, paleontologists finding clues about past life forms, physicists explaining how the radioactive elements mark time. As a science teacher, and agnostic, I am a passionate advocate of science, and have argued vehemently defending scientific evidence. How can tens of thousands of observations that all agree, all point to the same basic explanation, be wrong?”
Several years ago, he gave me what turned out to be one of the best books that I have read; ‘The Language of God’ by Francis Collins.
I am truly grateful that there are brilliant scientists, such as Francis Collins, John Polkinghorne, and John Oaks, who are willing to stand up for their faith in Jesus and the Bible.
On the other hand, I was surprised and bothered by the growing animosity between some Christians and some scientists. Listening to the arguments between young earth advocates and atheist scientists, it would be easy to get the impression that no serious scientist could believe in the Bible or that no serious Christian could believe in evolution.
(when I refer to ‘evolution’, I mean 'theistic evolution' or 'evolutionary creation'. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_BioLogos_Foundation )
(for more on this: Link to http://biologos.org/)
Even the Christians don’t agree with each other about many of these things (such as the age of the earth, how to interpret the account of creation in Genesis, if some biblical accounts are to be understood as stories or actual historical events….). What is going on?!
Is it reasonable to suppose that God and science stand in opposition to one another? Not at all. Why then has this dichotomy developed? I think that there are several factors that have fed this issue. In the past, people have made assumptions, likely erroneous, about the meaning of scripture and put their faith in that understanding. They hold to these doctrines with a death grip and lose sight of God in the process. We seem to associate God with the mysteries of the universe. Unfortunately, we can become blind to the truth if we assume that God would only work the way we imagined or the way that we have been taught about creation. The reaction of the Church to Galileo’s scientific findings about planetary motion is a perfect example.
Christians must be careful not to make the mistake of basing theological arguments on some mysterious or inexplicable aspect of our universe that scientists will likely make discoveries about in the future.
There are pride and arrogance on both sides of the debate (I have certainly been part of the problem at times). Making matters worse, many people seem quite willing to make assumptions and present arguments with very little understanding about that which they are opposing. And to what end? God's existence or lack thereof cannot be proven.
When asked a tough question about a Bible text, we should proceed with caution. I think we accomplish more when talking to seekers, skeptics, even our children, when we start from a position of genuine humility. If you've heard someone else respond to an inquiry, but have not personally investigated that explanation yourself, it is wise to refrain from repeating it. Better to say ‘I don't know’ or ‘that’s a great question let me look into it’, than to risk looking foolish and unreliable. Worse yet, to misrepresent God. If scientists and theologians far smarter than myself, who have spent years trying to answer some of these questions, still can't provide definitive answers, then it is best that I don't attempt to either.
I think this is especially important when teaching our children, either at home or in Sunday school. We do a great disservice to them, as they get older, if we misinform them on these matters. We set them up to look foolish in front of their peers if they repeat an erroneous argument against evolution, for example. Worse than that, we may stand in the way of them coming to faith; if they conclude that we have misled them in one area concerning the Bible, which can lead them to be wary of Christianity or the Bible in general. And I know, from experience, that these scientifically inaccurate explanations feed the arrogance and critical attitudes of many skeptics.
I am not suggesting that we don’t speak up and defend our faith, but that we do so with humility and integrity; only speak with authority when we have done our due diligence (Link to resource list) and not be afraid to admit when we don’t understand something.
Finally, beware of those who are only looking for a fight. I am all for responding to sincere questions or objections from skeptic or seeker. On the other hand, I have learned that it is pointless to engage in a debate with someone who merely wants to argue or have an opportunity to voice their opinions with no interest in genuine dialogue.
In 2 Timothy 2:23-25, the Bible warn us about arguing.
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth…”
There is no need to fear any future scientific findings. If I find myself objecting to something that scientists have concluded to be true because it ‘conflicts with scripture’, I should consider the possibility that I have misinterpreted or misunderstood what God is teaching in that case. It is foolish to attempt to discount solid scientific findings in an attempt to justify your current understanding or interpretation of a biblical text. I can’t believe that God is trying to confuse or trick us, nor do I think that scientists have an anti-God motivated agenda.
And while there are many unanswered questions about the process by which life began and how we became the conscious creatures we are today, that doesn't mean that sometime in the future scientists won't discover answers for some, even all, of these questions.
The discoveries that led to an explanation of the laws governing the behavior of the universe don’t rule out a Creator. They allow us the gift of deeper insight into His creation. Aren’t the findings of science, the truths of the universe, just another way that God is revealing Himself to us?
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”-Psalm 19:1-4
“…since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
-Romans 1:19-21
The bottom line: It is absurd to think that science will overturn God. A long-held understanding may have to change, but surely God will not. I am thoroughly convinced that any perceived conflict between science and God, is a result of man's sinful nature.
I hear someone saying, “Does it have to be so difficult, I don’t even like science? I can’t believe I even read this.”
Read This: