Likewise, theologian, author, and pastor, R.C. Sproul,
recently discussed the “lasting impression” that the book, The Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Science, which he read over
50 years ago, had made upon him. He noted that the book was so influential to
him because it “clearly set forth the importance of understanding that all
scientific theories presuppose certain philosophical premises.”
The concept of “primary convictions” or presupposed
“philosophical premises” is important when it comes to the nonsense that is
religion vs. science. The idea that there is some battle between science and
religion—especially Christianity—simply won’t go away. Writing
in the UK’s Guardian, Julian
Baggini recently declared that any religion “that seeks to explain the hows of the universe…is competing with science.
In such contests science always wins, hands down, and the only way out is to
claim a priority for faith over evidence, or the Bible over the lab.”
Speaking of the “hows of the universe,” some of the most
famous and influential founders of what is considered “modern science”—Galileo,
Kepler, and Newton —operated
from a strict biblical worldview. For example, in 1595, in Kepler’s first major
work, he thought that he had discovered “God’s geometrical plan for the
universe.” As a Christian, Kepler believed that the universe was designed by a
Creator and thus should function in a very logical fashion. He went as far as
to define his view of “science” as “thinking God’s thoughts after Him.”
Though he made many mistakes, Kepler, led by his faith, was
determined to make sense of the motion of the planets in our solar system. The
first two of Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion were published in 1609.
The third and final law was published in 1619 in his book, “The Harmony of the
World.” In this work, Kepler noted “that the geometrical things have provided the Creator with the model for
decorating the whole world.” He also praised God, declaring “Great is
God our Lord, great is His power and there is no end to His wisdom.”
Kepler had a rather strained relationship with Galileo, but
they shared a belief in the Copernican model (planets rotate around the sun, and
so on) of the universe. This, of course, is what placed Galileo at odds with
the Catholic Church and is what many—especially those who worship at the alter
of science—point to for evidence of the backwardness of those who operate from
a biblical worldview.
However, just as Kepler, Galileo was a Christian who
believed in the trustworthiness of the Bible. As Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher puts
it, “[Galileo] was fighting against the contemporary principles of Bible
interpretation which, blinded by Aristotelian philosophy, did not do justice to
the biblical text.”
Isaac Newton is considered by many to be the greatest
scientist who ever lived. He is most famous for his laws of motion and universal gravitation. On
gravitation he noted that, “Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it
cannot explain who set the planets in motion. God governs all things and knows
all that is or can be done.”
When it comes to
the age of the earth—a favorite topic of the science worshippers—both Kepler
and Newton
calculated the earth to be only a few thousand years old. Kepler calculated a creation
date of 3,992 B.C. Newton
stated that, “For an educated man…any suggestion that the human past extended
back further than 6,000 years was a vain and foolish speculation.”
Now, before anyone accuses me of the fallacy of appealing to
authorities, let me say that my views on Creation and the Bible are not correct
simply because they are in common with Kepler, Galileo, Newton , et al. That is not the issue here.
The point is that anyone can practice good science while operating from a
biblical worldview and that everyone who does any kind of science operates from
some worldview.
In other words, there is no battle between science and
religion. The only competition that exists when it comes to our pursuit of knowledge
and truth lies in our worldviews.
Copyright 2011, Trevor Grant Thomas
At the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason.Trevor and his wife Michelle are the authors of: Debt Free Living in a Debt Filled World
tthomas@trevorgrantthomas.com
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