EMAIL THIS PAGE
PRINT
RSS
The biblical world and the planet scientists live on appear to be on a collision course. Pastors around the world, look out, scientists are on the prowl. They will steal your belief with one theory and spit you out like tobacco from a baseball player's mouth. Of course, I am being sarcastic. But seriously, what is the deal with so many churchgoers fear of science? And honestly, don't many scientists seem to be just as scared of the Bible? Can't we all just get along? Does the Bible claim to provide scientific answers? What is the Bible interested in teaching? Was it the intent of the biblical authors to offer proof for how the world was created, like a scientist offers proof for a theory? The Bible is not interested in science. Science did not exist when any of the biblical books were penned. The author of Genesis was not out to prove creation or the existence of God, because everybody in the ancient world believed in creation. There were no atheists, and there were definitely no evolutionists. We should not attempt to make the Bible answer questions for which it has offered no answer. When the Bible claims that the earth sets upon two pillars surrounded by water, or that there is a firmament between the heavens and the earth, it is not making scientific claims meant to be tested at a later date when technology developed. The Bible is reflecting a particular view of the created order understood in the ancient world. Furthermore, the biblical authors are communicating with people who share the same view from other cultures. The Bible is not interested in offering a scientific answer; it is interested in offering a theological one (that is one that professes a certain belief in a certain God). The creation stories are meant to teach that Elohim, or Yahweh, created the world and in doing so made order out of chaos. He forced all the chaotic powers and elements into order so that humans could have order here on earth. He is still the God who brings order to chaos in our lives and in creation. Likewise, we are meant to do the same. I don’t know about you, but to me, this answer has a lot more meaning, because it affects my life. An answer about how the world was created offers me little hope, but an answer about why, offers me much. Well, what do you think? Can science and the Bible get along? Is science another open door that allows for us to see the Infinite God in everything? |
Comments
I originally posted this in response to Larry in the Q & A section of Conversant Life.
P.S. I will continue my examination of the prophets in our "Seeing the Infinite God in Everything" series shortly. I wanted to take a short break from it to offer my input on some really interesting questions that seem to be plaguing us all.
--John
John,
I don't necessarily like to put my train of though into a box, but I do like the idea of seeing nature as God's design (I will not say that I adhere to Intelligent Design because I have not fully studied it.). With that in mind, I see science as the study of His design. A good example is the scientific description of the plagues in Exodus. It is said that there is a mountain off the coast of Egypt that erupts every thousand or so years and, had it erupted during the time of Pharoah and Moses, it would have caused at least two of the plagues: the plague of darkness and the plague of frogs (the eruption would have forced tons of frogs inland). Does this prove that God did not allow it to happen? To me, no. To me, this scientific fact reveals how he did it. The only box I try to put myself in is the box of "I don't know, but I believe" and though I don't know (in this case noone does! LOL!), I believe nature is evidence of God's design and science is the study of it. So, through science, I believe we are able to learn different things about God and how he does things.
Joel,
Thanks for your comment. I have never researched the volcano-plague theory -- I will have to look into that one. It certainly is the case that God works in miraculous ways, far beyond our understanding, and the understanding of science.
I find the entire plague story absolutely fascinating. I think at the heart of the story is the idea of two gods battling one another. Pharaoh believes he is a god, or bare minimum appointed by the gods, whereas Yahweh knows He is the true God. He uses His power to show Pharaoh (and his spiritual advisers) that He truly is the ultimate superior God. A God which has power over all of creation. The message being that Yahweh is in control. He is the God who admonishes those who oppress His people, and He is the God of true strength and power. Today, He still is this God. Above any explanation we can offer for the plagues, there is the theological message that God is at work, bringing freedom for His people. In Christ, we too can experience an exodus from the oppression of the world and the oppression of sin.
As you pointed out, there are just so many things we don't know, or don't understand. But that certainly does not prevent us from putting our faith in the work of God in the world (past and present).
--John
P.S. I too don't like putting my view in one box or another.