There is a common idea that facts belong to science and faith belongs to the spiritual. This is a false dichotomy. It leads to the idea that being “spiritual” is not based on facts but a “leap of faith”. It leads to the so-called blind faith.
Faith is neither blind nor is it a leap. Christian faith is based on historical evidence and it is not a blind leap into an imaginary or fantasy world. I learned to ice skate on a farmers pond in Pennsylvania. During the winter the pond froze with ice over a foot thick. By faith, I stepped out on the ice based on the fact that it was solid enough to hold me (at least I hoped). In fact, everyone of us live by faith every day based on fact. I just sat down in a chair — that was a demonstration of faith.
Science can points us in the direction of the spiritual, faith enables us to experience it. Science wrestles with the how and what. Faith grapples with the who and why.
Science is not opposed to faith and faith is not opposed to science. It is our interpretations from science and from faith that often collide. Of course there are mysteries we are still seeking to harmonize science and faith. Seeking out mysteries is part of the fun and stimulates us to go where no man has gone before. But they are not enemies. They are bedfellows. Modern science was birthed out of a biblical world view which embraces the truth that the universe had a beginning by a personal Creator and that this Creator established natural laws that govern the universe. Because the universe has order and design to it (even though it is damaged by the Fall) it is our “playground” to explore.
We take much of it for granted but I invite you to be still and consider the vastness of the macro -world and the countless stars which God knows by name and consider the smallness of the micro-world where God infused the wonder of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into every living cell. And then consider that God is mindful of you — it will blow your sockets.
No comments:
Post a Comment