Articles
Faith Reinforced By Science
Right from the start I want to make it very clear: My faith is not dependent upon science. Whether or not I understand every word delivered to us by the Holy Spirit, and regardless of what the most educated and intelligent minds think about that word, if God said it, that settles it. “…Thy word is truth.” John 17:17
I do, however, want to kick against the notion that science and sound theology are at odds. As the Creator of all, God is the author of science. Any perceived conflict between God and science is a failing of man’s faith and imagination, not of God.
Modern science has limits. First of all, it cannot answer some of the most basic and fundamental questions about life. Why am I here? How did I get here? Is there anything beyond what I can see, taste, smell, and hear? What happens when I die? Scientists have made some effort to answer these questions without God, but even their answers just offer more questions. It appears to me that the most ardent atheists are so focused on eliminating God from the equation that they surrender their objectivity and become distracted from the evidence that presents God in His rightful place – Master, Father, Provider, and Creator.
Francis Bacon was an interesting man. He is known for many things, including as a nobleman, a politician, a philosopher, Queen Elizabeth’s legal counsel, but also as a scientist and devout Anglican. At that time, being a man of faith and science was normal, and not the rarity it seems to be today. He is reported to have said,
“God has, in fact, written two books, not just one. Of course, we are all familiar with the first book He wrote, namely Scripture. But He has written a second book called creation.”
This seems to be a retelling of the familiar passage in Romans 1:19-20 – “…what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,”. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” I believe the written words of His Book to be perfect and complete (2 Tim 3:16), but those words are supplemented perfectly by God’s other “book”, His creation.
I believe God intended for His “second book” (science/creation) to supplement and offer faith affirming evidence to His first, not to stand alone. When you deny the Word of God, but worship His creation, it’s inevitable that confusion will follow. One of my favorite Einstein quotes touches on this idea. “Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind.” There is great power in empirical observation. There is an honesty in the careful use of the scientific method. I find it interesting that the father of the scientific method, Sir Francis Bacon was the same man who argued for the pursuit of science in observation and did so on a foundation of absolute faith in God the Creator. Do not fear science and the proof it offers of creation, but make sure that you read the Lord’s “second book” in the context of the first.
