Science and Christianity
SCIENCE AND THEORY
Before we continue in our quest, I think it is necessary to ever-so-briefly review the field of study referred to as science. There are scores of definitions, but science in its simplest form is the study of how the natural world works. When I think of science, my mind googles images of chemical compounds and nature and natural laws and such which are all based upon verified facts and truths (empirical evidence). However, scientists themselves will tell you this is not the case at all.
Science includes the study of many unknowns. It is a field of exploration and experiments. It is the synthesis of many known (or believed) facts into theories. From our elementary school science class, we should know that a theory is merely an explanation or an idea or an assumption or a model which attempts to explain certain phenomena based upon reasoning, experiments, data collection, behavior, and other evidence. Therefore much of “science” is far from “exact.”
A model scientist is expected to approach any branch of science entirely unbiased which we all know is impossible. One cannot do anything whatsoever apart from “who we are” -- our present beliefs and our previous experiences. The only way to be completely impartial would be to somehow create a brand new brain without any experiences or personality and introduce the evidence. Not going to happen! This is the reason Christian scientists, philosophers, theologians, and believers in general observe God’s handiwork throughout every aspect of creation and life while the atheist cannot spot a single one!
Theory is theory. Some prove to be accurate. Others partially correct; while several will be found entirely erroneous. Scientists and philosophers attempt to fit together thousands of pieces to form one enormous puzzle. The problem is that they actually have pieces from several puzzles. Some fit and some do not.
SCIENCE AND CHRISTIANITY
Science and Christianity should not be at odds against one another. We should be on the same team. If you are interested in science, then by all means pursue it with all of your heart and intellect. We desperately need Christian scientists.
I think at many times in history (including the present) Christians have felt assaulted by science. Science is not our enemy. Some scientists may be. But Science is our friend. The clearer we understand our world, the better we understand the God who created it. I am not in the least bit troubled over the prospect of the discovery of some new “truth” which will absolutely prove once and for all the non-existence of God. Neither should you.
SCIENCE AND THEORY
Before we continue in our quest, I think it is necessary to ever-so-briefly review the field of study referred to as science. There are scores of definitions, but science in its simplest form is the study of how the natural world works. When I think of science, my mind googles images of chemical compounds and nature and natural laws and such which are all based upon verified facts and truths (empirical evidence). However, scientists themselves will tell you this is not the case at all.
Science includes the study of many unknowns. It is a field of exploration and experiments. It is the synthesis of many known (or believed) facts into theories. From our elementary school science class, we should know that a theory is merely an explanation or an idea or an assumption or a model which attempts to explain certain phenomena based upon reasoning, experiments, data collection, behavior, and other evidence. Therefore much of “science” is far from “exact.”
A model scientist is expected to approach any branch of science entirely unbiased which we all know is impossible. One cannot do anything whatsoever apart from “who we are” -- our present beliefs and our previous experiences. The only way to be completely impartial would be to somehow create a brand new brain without any experiences or personality and introduce the evidence. Not going to happen! This is the reason Christian scientists, philosophers, theologians, and believers in general observe God’s handiwork throughout every aspect of creation and life while the atheist cannot spot a single one!
Theory is theory. Some prove to be accurate. Others partially correct; while several will be found entirely erroneous. Scientists and philosophers attempt to fit together thousands of pieces to form one enormous puzzle. The problem is that they actually have pieces from several puzzles. Some fit and some do not.
SCIENCE AND CHRISTIANITY
Science and Christianity should not be at odds against one another. We should be on the same team. If you are interested in science, then by all means pursue it with all of your heart and intellect. We desperately need Christian scientists.
I think at many times in history (including the present) Christians have felt assaulted by science. Science is not our enemy. Some scientists may be. But Science is our friend. The clearer we understand our world, the better we understand the God who created it. I am not in the least bit troubled over the prospect of the discovery of some new “truth” which will absolutely prove once and for all the non-existence of God. Neither should you.
