Let us be honest, Religion has been guilty of interfering
with fields of study such as science. When
Galileo purposed the earth revolve around the sun instead of the sun around the
earth, the Church was quick to contradict such claims based off unrelated scriptural
texts. But if we are truly honest, we
must admit that Science has been guilty of interfering with faith and religion
as well. With the theory of evolution
and the Big Bang, many scientist of pointed out that these prove God cannot
exist.
Both Religion and Science have overstepped their
bounds. As a pastor of an American
Baptist Church let me contradict many strongly held stereotypes and say that I
am a big fan of science and technology.
Issues such as Evolution and the Big Bang do not disturb my faith. I feel no overcoming urge to refute
scientific claims because I have not the knowledge or understanding to debate
with highly trained physicists.
My faith expresses the beauty of a creative God carefully
and deliberately fashioning a habitable world full of diversity and life. If God decided to developed life through slow
evolving creatures that is his prerogative.
It is simply beyond my scope to suggest the validity of theories of Big
Bangs and Evolving Apes, they may be correct, they may not be.
Scripture, though intimidating to many, is relatively brief
when considering its subject. The
Christian Bible does not have the luxury to detail every nuance of creation and
existence. In fact, John even admits
that not everything about the short life of Jesus could be accounted for because
the world is not spacious enough to hold the volumes it would produce (John
21:25). If scripture is too brief to
account for the entire life of the Savior, how could we reason that it holds
all mysteries of heaven and earth?
I believe that there is much to be revealed about the
amazing planet given to us. What we do
with the discoveries is what is important.
If Science is used to better care for humanity and the world I believe
every Christian and non-Christian should celebrate. However, if our advancement in science and
technology is used to strip men and women of jobs, produce unfathomable and consequential
pollution, if the earth is raped of its resources and beauty, and money becomes
the pursuing ambition of our research, then the prophets of God ought to speak
again unjust practices. While science
has brought comfort and efficiency, too often it has brought great consequences. The atomic bomb is a great example of
scientific advancement but at too great of a cost, one that too few Christians spoke
out against in its debut during World War II.
Science has also been guilty of misusing their expertise and
betraying the very field they represent by concluding god could not exist. Science does not have the ability to affirm
or deny the existence of everything in existence. The scientific process relies on materials
that can be measured, weighed, seen, or heard.
Yet humanity overwhelming believes in love, a reality that cannot be succumbed
to scientific research. Though brain
patterns can be measured and tested, love and its practices will always be an
unproven theory. I find it amazing that
Scripture testifies that "God is love" (1 John 4:8).
I celebrate the fact that we live in a world that can be
discovered and revealed through the power of science. I also celebrate the reality that there is
more to life than what mere humanity can capture, hold, and analyze. Love, forgiveness, loyalty, compassion are
all beyond quantifying. Science has
revealed many mysteries and complexities of our existence. I think it is disingenuous for anyone in the
scientific or religious field to assume all is revealed and understood in the
ever expanding universe we live in.
There is so much we have come to know, but think of the so much more
that is unknown. I see God in the known
and unknown, I see God in power of love and forgiveness, and I see God
transforming lives in miraculous ways.
Some say it is psychology, others insanity, but for me and millions of others
it is truth that defines truth itself (John 14:6).
So let us as followers of Christ not be intimidated by the
findings of science, and let science not be intimidated at the prospect of
something greater than their methods exists.
Let us use our skills and wisdom to advance the world in things of love,
compassion, health, and forgiveness. Let
us put aside our pride and remember nothing we have made or invented has come
without the resources given to us. Let
us not be surprised about the statistical prospect of something greater than us
exists, and let us rejoice that the greater thing loves us and desire to be
known.
