Religion and/or Science?

Portrait of Galileo Galilei (1636), by Justus Sustermans

The Wikipedia article explains how religion and science conflicted with Galileo, to the point that he “was tried by the Inquisition, found 'vehemently suspect of heresy', and forced to recant. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest." Today, we know his theories were correct – and do not conflict with scriptures. What changed? A lot on both sides. But people still see a conflict between the religion and science when the conflict is both more and less. 

John Carson Lennox on “Why ‘Evidence-Based’ Faith Is So Valuable” helps us understand:

“This idea that there is a conflict between science and God cannot be true,” Lennox declared. “Why? Because if you go the very top of science, Nobel prize level, there are scientists on both sides.”
“Let’s take physics. Take Higgs, who won the Nobel Prize for the Higgs Boson — a brilliant physicist and an atheist,” Lennox said. “But William Phillips, a low-temperature physicist, who won the same prize, he’s a Christian!”
So, “there is a conflict — but it’s not between science and God,” Lennox explained, “it’s between theism and atheism — the two worldviews.”

This article came to me the week after our Sunday School study of 2 Peter 1, where we read:

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2 Peter 1:5-7 KJV)

Yes, we are saved by grace through faith. We see that in more than one verse and I’ve used them time and time again. Look them up if you doubt it. Then we add virtue to our faith – meaning we should have high moral values whereby we are living examples.

Then we are to add knowledge. How can that not include the sciences, especially as they pertain to our religion. These are studies that can increase our foundational beliefs, not necessarily wipe them out as sand. Does science really conflict with religion, or is it closed mindedness of people on both ends of the spectrum.

Yes – I am closed minded on one aspect. I believe God is the creator of all, but how I think He might have done it is of no value. In reality, geology does not deny God, but some people who deny God are geologists. And archeologists, geophysicists, chemists, astrobiologists, etc. The fields do not preclude Christians, and Christians should respect those fields.

So, how do we “prove God exists”? Lennox explains:

“When we use the word “proof” [in terms of God’s existence] we mean it in the sense in which lawyers mean it — evidence, pointers, indicators that are beyond reasonable doubt,” the professor noted.
Of course, the natural response from the atheists is that this type of evidence is not extensive enough.

I love the continued quote and his example:

Giving a real-life example, Prof. Lennox said: I’ve been married to the same woman for 50 years. I believe she loves me, I couldn’t prove it to you mathematically — but I’d risk my life on it!”

With that being said, Lennox qualified that “evidence is a hugely important thing,” when it comes to personal faith.

Indeed, even those who are not Christian would understand that blind faith in things or people is foolish and ill-informed.

“Why do I believe my wife loves me? Because I believe there is strong evidence for it,” Lennox explained. “All of us are familiar with evidence-based faith. You’re crazy if you believe things without evidence or trust people without evidence.”

That’s an excellent example because it requires love – on both sides – for that faith to exist.
Think about John’s writings while you consider evidence:

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1 John 3:23-24 KJV)