Christianity and Science Not in Conflict? We’ll Believe It When We See It!
The tired claim that science and faith are at odds ignores a rich history of Christian scientists — and a rather unscientific leap of its own.
With Easter still dominating the public consciousness, we may hope that anti-Christian rhetoric will take a back seat at least for a little while.
Doubtless it will not be long, however, until the hoary old anti-Christian rhetoric receives an airing — always, of course, conveyed with the impression that they are shiny new truths.
The Myth of the Science-Faith Divide
For example, the belief that science and Christianity are incompatible seems to have become commonplace. However, many of the greatest scientists in history – not least Father Georges le Maître, credited with originating the Big Bang theory, and ‘father of genetics’ Father Gregor Mendel — were Christians — priests, in fact.
And many scientists still hold to the Christian faith.
The Original Sceptic
We should remember that after the Crucifixion, the disciple Thomas, who was absent when Jesus appeared to the other Apostles, on hearing that Jesus was risen from the dead, insisted:
“Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.”
But when Jesus once again appeared to the Eleven, Thomas said: “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus replied: “You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.” (John 21: 19-29)
From Doubting Thomas to Scientific Thomas
The belief that science and Christianity are incompatible is just that – a belief that has, ironically, become almost religious in its intensity.
However, this has been just as vigorously disputed, and although St Thomas the Apostle came to be known as ‘Doubting Thomas’, perhaps those of us who ‘have not seen and yet believe’ should start referring to this sceptical but ultimately believing Saint as ‘Scientific Thomas’?
As for those who refuse to believe, when it comes to abstaining from their favourite dogma about Christianity and science being incompatible: we’ll believe it when we see it!
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Here’s a good discussion of this issue:
https://www.str.org/w/john-lennox-and-alex-o-connor-discuss-god-and-science
John Lennox is a wonderful apologist. Highly recommended.
If people follow the scientific method of examining the world we live in I know they will eventually discover God because of the fundamental truth of the word.
Psalm 19:1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.
Romans 1:20 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.
People realise we and the Universe didn’t just spontaneously come into being for no reason. We are part of God’s wonderful creation.
It’s is quite simple to believe in the divine designer, creator and order keeper, if people would investigate available resources, using scientific methodology. It is observable, it is repeatable and with the same outcomes and conclusions.
Scientific method, reveals not only the provable design and order in the cosmos and the human body, but the evidence of the same God who created everything in order, is revealed and viewed from cover to cover in the Bible.
Many people have come to Christ when they study the evidence for Christ and divine design, it’s simply laziness on people’s part not to get the knowledge to make a rational decision for Christ, that does also require faith.
There’s a powerful quote, which states, ” There’s no schism between God and nature , but there is schism between theology and science.” It all comes down to how humans interpret the evidence presented.
While there are a plethora of scientific theories that are in sharp opposition to what we read in Scripture, I know of no proven scientific fact that contradicts the Word of God. Thanks for your article, Ann.
Scientific theories change over time as new “evidence” emerges. The Word of God remains unchanged, and holds true throughout all history. Man searches for answers: God has the answer. Man’s answers change with new information: God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Man thinks he has great knowledge: God says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:7)