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There seems to be a common notion that every establishment should have an adversary, or something antithetical to their existence. This can be seen with simple institutional rivalries in sports, professional clashes between coworkers, or large scale conflicts between governments.
It is as if anytime someone or something rises up, something else clashes against. Examples of this could be the USA vs. Russia, Duke vs. North Carolina, Coke vs. Pepsi, Apple vs. Microsoft, and the list could go on and on and on. There is one “rivalry” often associated within the Christian faith that often seems to arise in debates: Christianity vs. Science.
The supposed rivalry between Christianity and Science reached its peak in the nineteenth century when a book entitled A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom was published. This book attempted to describe the relationship between science and faith as “clashing viewpoints,” and thus aided the stigma that the two could not coexist.
However, during the last one hundred years there has been a new census among philosophers, scientists, and theologians. Many of the people in these respective fields have come to the realization that science and faith do not oppose one another, but in reality they are bonded together.
The early Christian theologian Augustine of Hippo described the relationship between faith and science best when he said, “There are two ways God has revealed Himself to us: Through the book of Scripture, and through the book of nature.”
Much of science operates in the field of “observing [the acts of God] through nature,” though, not all scientists will admit that they are observing God’s handiwork.
The act of observing God’s handiwork isn’t something that is contained simply to our era of time, but it is a discipline that can be dated back to the time of David, and referenced within his Psalms.
“1The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. 3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. 4 Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun.” (Psalm 19:1-4)
In reality, science can be just another way for us to view the majesty, power, and ultimate sovereignty of God, and while the two may not always complement one another, science actually proves these existence of God rather than disproves.
The truth is though, many Christians, and anyone average person really, simply does not know enough about modern science to know what observational and theoretical studies are proving. Instead, many Christians quickly dismiss all science as contrary to faith, and many secularists scoff at the notion of faith over “facts.”
Should a Christian look at the true observations of the universe though, they would see that an overwhelming amount of data points to the existence of a creator of the universe. And should a secularist/naturalist look into the Christian Scriptures, they will see that Christians are called to look at God’s creation as a way to draw near to Him.
Unfortunately the schism that exists between Christianity and Science is one that need not exist, but often does without reason. However, should Christians choose to observe the science, while keeping their faith in heart, they would quickly come to utilize these observations of the universe and grow nearer to God in the process.
As a result of this utilization, not only will Christians be able to have a deeper, more profound relationship with their Creator, but we will also be better prepared to defend our faith to those who may seek to uproot us.
Questions for Reflection
1. What qualms or preconceived notions do Christians have against science, and why do you think they exist?
2. What specific studies within science could help us have a deeper faith?
3. How can we better teach the bond between science and faith to Christians? Why is it so important that we teach on this?
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