Common Ground: The Book of Nature and the Book of the Scripture
Science and the Bible in competition?
Many people claim that God cannot exist because science cannot prove his existence. Many people also claim that the Bible supersedes our understanding of the natural world. The communities of scientists, science-thinking people, and the Church and religious-thinking people have been at odds and in opposition for centuries. This is a fact that modern humans all know, but many people do not know why, or if there is any validity to it.
What is the Bible?:
The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are considered sacred by Christians. It is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament, which contains texts that are considered sacred by Jews as well, and the New Testament, which contains texts specific to Christianity. The Old Testament includes the Hebrew scriptures, also known as the Tanakh, which consists of the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. The New Testament includes the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. The Bible is considered by many believers to be the word of God and is used as a source of moral guidance and spiritual inspiration.
What is Science?:
Science is a systematic and logical approach to discovering new knowledge, understanding the natural world, and explaining phenomena. It involves making observations, asking questions, formulating hypotheses, and conducting experiments to test those hypotheses. Science is based on empirical evidence and the scientific method, which involves collecting data through observation and experimentation and using that data to develop and test theories. Science encompasses a wide range of fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science, and it has led to many important discoveries and technological advancements.
These at first seem to be two totally separate fields with entirely different formats, goals, and structures. However, they are more deeply intertwined and have a long history of working together as well as being in conflict. Let’s take a look at some long but briefly described history between the two.
History of Interaction between science and religion:
Galileo Galilei was an Italian scientist and philosopher who made significant contributions to the fields of physics, astronomy, and mathematics. His work was influential in the Scientific Revolution and helped to establish the modern scientific method. However, some of his ideas were seen as conflicting with the teachings of the Catholic Church, and he was brought before the Inquisition on charges of heresy. Ultimately, he was forced to recant his views and spent the last nine years of his life under house arrest. Today, Galileo is considered a pioneering scientist, and his contributions to the field of astronomy are widely recognized. However, his conflict with the Church serves as an example of the tension that can exist between science and religion.
The relationship between science and the Bible has a long and complex history. In the early medieval period, many scholars who were part of the Christian tradition made significant contributions to the development of various academic fields and the sciences. However, as the scientific method developed and scientific explanations for natural phenomena began to conflict with certain religious beliefs, there were instances of tension between science and the Bible.
One notable example of this tension is the case of Galileo Galilei, an Italian scientist, and philosopher who was accused of heresy by the Catholic Church for his support of the heliocentric model of the solar system, which placed the sun at the center rather than the Earth. Galileo was brought before the Inquisition and was ultimately forced to recant his views.
Another notable conflict was when the theory of evolution was first proposed. Many Christians at the time and still to this day believe that the theory of evolution and the theory of creation are incompatible. Those logical and scientific opt to take the path of the theory of evolution while the religious and those who have a devout belief in God take the path of creation in the face of these “conflicting ideas”. This is mostly a misunderstanding of purpose as well as close-mindedness on both sides These ideas are not incompatible but merely are explaining different aspects and purposes behind the origin of the universe.
Despite instances of conflict, the relationship between science and the Bible has also been marked by mutual influence and interaction. For example, some scientific theories, such as the Big Bang theory of the origins of the universe, are seen by some believers as consistent with the biblical account of creation. Additionally, the Bible's emphasis on the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding the world has encouraged some people to study science and pursue scientific careers.
During the medieval period, European scholars who were part of the Christian tradition made significant contributions to the development of various academic fields and the sciences. For example, scholars at the University of Paris and the University of Bologna made important advancements in the fields of law, medicine, and theology. In the early modern period, the Scientific Revolution was a period of intense scientific and intellectual activity that took place in Europe, and many of the key figures in this movement were Christians who were motivated by their faith to seek an understanding of the natural world.
Additionally, the Christian monastic tradition, which emphasized the importance of education and learning, played a role in the development of universities and the transmission of knowledge. Monasteries in Europe often served as centers of learning, where monks studied and copied texts, preserving important works of literature and knowledge that would have otherwise been lost. The development of the printing press in the 15th century also helped to disseminate knowledge and contributed to the spread of scientific ideas.
There have been many instances throughout history where Christians and scientists have interacted and influenced each other. Here are a few examples:
The medieval period: During the medieval period, many European scholars who were part of the Christian tradition made significant contributions to the development of various academic fields and the sciences. For example, scholars at the University of Paris and the University of Bologna made important advancements in the fields of law, medicine, and theology. The Christian monastic tradition, which emphasized the importance of education and learning, also played a role in the development of universities and the transmission of knowledge.
The Scientific Revolution: The Scientific Revolution was a period of intense scientific and intellectual activity that took place in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. Many of the key figures in this movement, including Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton, were motivated by their Christian faith to seek a deeper understanding of the natural world. However, their scientific ideas were also met with resistance from some members of the Church, and there were instances of conflict between science and religion.
Modern science and religion: In the modern period, the relationship between science and religion has been marked by both cooperation and conflict. Some scientists and religious leaders have sought to find common ground and reconcile their differences, while others have remained at odds. For example, Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis have both made efforts to engage with the scientific community and promote dialogue between science and religion. However, there are also instances of conflict, such as the debate over the teaching of evolution in schools and the role of religion in shaping public policy.
As Pope John Paul II wrote,
“Science can purify religion from error and superstition; religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes. Each can draw the other into a wider world, a world in which both can flourish.”
So What’s the Beef?:
The Enlightenment and the French Revolution were important events in European history that had significant impacts on the relationship between science and the Church.
During the Enlightenment, which took place in the 18th century, there was a focus on reason, liberty, and the rights of the individual. This intellectual movement encouraged people to question traditional authority and to seek knowledge and understanding through scientific inquiry and reason. This emphasis on reason and science may have contributed to a separation between science and the Church, as it challenged the Church's traditional role as the ultimate authority on matters of knowledge and truth.
The French Revolution, which took place in the late 18th century, was a political revolution that aimed to overthrow the monarchy and establish a secular, democratic society. One of the key principles of the Revolution was the separation of church and state, and the Revolution led to the establishment of a secular educational system and the suppression of religious orders. This separation of church and state may have contributed to further separation between science and the Church, as the Church's influence in society was diminished and the role of science in education and public life was emphasized.
A few philosophies such as Communism and socialism have also contributed to further separation between science and the church. Communism, as an ideology, has been associated with the promotion of atheism and the suppression of religious beliefs. In countries where communism has been implemented, such as the Soviet Union and China, there have been efforts to suppress religion and promote atheism as the state ideology. These efforts have included the suppression of religious practices, the closing of religious institutions, and the persecution of religious believers. With religion being the foundational block of most societies one of the ways leaders with communistic ambitions can disrupt the existing social order as well as the society in their respective country is by raising the levels of doubt in the traditions of the people around them. Often Communist revolutions start with the tearing down of monuments to national heroes, the destruction of churches and religious texts, and the outlawing of religion. This both breaks the national identity allowing for communism to replace it as well as removes the ethical ideals of freedom, and human rights that western society is built on by taking the inspiring texts out of the hands of the majority of people.
Spats and conflicts between the Church and Galileo, the theory of evolution and creationists, the tearing down of traditions, the separation of church and state, the rise of communism, terrorism, and philosophical arguments have led to increasing bitterness between the sciences and religion. These pains are felt to this day, but they are mainly founded on misunderstanding and stubbornness. They are grudges held by both sides. Many of the conflicts that linger in our collective memory come from a time when humanity was growing, establishing freedom, and finding a better way forward. It was a messy time, it brought up the quality of life for people around the world but led to the exploitation of resources and our world. These growing pains linger in our culture, in our memory, and in our upbringing. They are the challenges we faced with each other, with others, with nature, and with God.
Working In Harmony:
We as a species are only in the aftermath of those growing pains, it is time to stretch, run, and grow into our bodies. We must move past the teenage rage we feel, and move into the adult maturity of a combined understanding.
I have good news, we are at the beginning of a new era, one that will be defined in history as a time of renewal and mending. This will only happen if we grieve, and wrestle with our own pains, hearts, and minds. This will only happen if we learn from the other side and reach across the aisle. Many people seem to want to tear the world down. We have come so far, worked so hard, and sacrificed so much. We are on the precipice of a world that can resolve the pains of the past and work together toward a brighter future. We can use our understanding of the natural world to create wonderful technology, medicine, and solutions that will make life better for humanity and the world. We can use the teachings in the Bible to guide us ethically. To give direction to the freedoms and rights of humans, to be better as a species, and to avoid the human rights catastrophes of the past. We can use biblical teachings to guide public policy and scientific understanding to implement those policies strategically. We used to be a society that specialized in religion, then we went to the other side of the pendulum and became a society of logic and science, what if the best society we can create is a deep connection between both? Each aspect uses its strengths to overcome the weaknesses of the other. In this world, we would build up the freedoms, ethics, and morality of people while providing people with the tools, understanding, and resources to benefit their own lives, their communities, and ultimately the world.
We could create heaven on earth. No more anxiety as our lives our filled with purpose and our tech improves to treat chemical imbalances. Sickness could be eradicated, poverty diminished, and purpose provided. Atrocities could be avoided, exploitation eliminated, and hate repelled. It won’t be easy, it is a lofty, crazy, and wild dream but if we can get past our differences the world will be a better place for it.