Faith and Science

There is a debate going on out there that leads us to believe there is no middle ground between God and Science. There's a small percentage of Christians who loudly say that we must stay away from science because it contradicts our faith in every way. Likewise a small percentage of scientists say that having faith in God or religion is the most foolish thing a person could do as their is no proof and therefore can be no God. As is true with most debates, we tend to only hear the people who talk the loudest, and thus we are boxed in to thinking that there are these two distinct and unyielding viewpoints. However the truth is that there is a lot of common ground between faith and science. And more than just common ground, faith and science actually go hand in hand.

First of all, there is faith in science. The ultimate question here is: If there is no God, why is there something instead of nothing? In other words, why does anything exist at all? You either believe A). Nothing create something, or B). Something (God) created something. Now which seems more likely? Of course it seems unlikely that all of this creation came from nothing. However neither viewpoint can be effectively proven, so to believe either it takes an equal amount of faith--just in the opposite direction. Therefore it takes just as much faith, if not more, to say, as many scientists do, that there is no God than to say there is a God.

Secondly, there is science in Faith. Look at the creation story: what do we see here? Order. Intent. Detail. Causes, Effects. And what is science if not the study of the mathematical order and details that govern the world? Science is the study of discovering the underlying details that God put into His creation. It’s like the art critic who uses technology to study the brush strokes beneath the famous painting to discover if it is real or a fake. Science reveals to us the nature of God.

What do we learn about God from science? God loves order, not chaos. He loves laws, moral and physical. He loves beauty. He loves details—details even so small that we will never discover. Dr. Francis Collins, leading geneticist and head researcher on the famous Human Genome Project recalls the moment at which his team fully mapped out the thousands of letters of code which make up human genes. His Christian faith was strengthened by seeing a complex code written into the genetic makeup of each human being. In fact, he writes that he was led to worship by this discovery of unique detail.

Further, scientific discovery reveals that God is a huge god. Our ability to measure the universe is always growing. We can now see smaller and smaller things while at the same time see further out into the universe than ever before. And what we keep finding is that the laws and mathematics that we know govern our world are just as consistent at the atomic level as they are in deep space. What an amazing God whose creation is more vast, detailed, and beautiful than we can ever know yet at the same time so orderly and systematic. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands" Psalm 19:1.

God not only created this immensely complex universe, but He is actively involved in it. Colossians 1:17 says that "He is before all things and in Him all things hold together." God did not just light the match at creation and then let it all go. No, He continues to hold the universe together through His Son. Therefore the very fact that we continue to exist is a testament to His power! And how powerful is God? Take an amazing story found in Joshua 10 as an example. Here God literally stops the sun and moon in the sky to allow the Israelites more daylight to pursue their enemies. Think about that power!

God's power to create and hold together such complex systems from atoms all the way to black holes is terrifying. He is huge, intensely powerful, ultimately intelligent, and completely...GOOD.

So, like studying the painting reveals truth about the artist, studying science reveals truth about God. Romans 1:20 says that His creation will reveal His nature and character. We can certainly see this when we stand in the mountains or on the beach at night. Yet we can also see this when we sit in a science class and learn about biology. So rather than thinking that science takes away from faith, think about how science adds to faith. Study science. Learn about evolution. Learn about chemistry. Go outside and marvel at the things he has created. Discover your God in His creation and be led to worship. Because Colossians also tells us that "all things were created through Him and for Him". The "Him" being Jesus. So this whole universe was created by Him and exists to testify for Him about who He is and what He has done. And what He has done is die for us so that we can be with Him eternally. it all comes full circle. And if that is not a reason for worship, than I don't know what is.