Christians often are given a bad reputation when it comes to science. We question the science behind the theory of evolution, climate change, and the more recent reactions to the current pandemic. I thought it might be helpful to explain where believers are coming from when it comes to science.
Our modern method of scientific investigation was developed over several hundred years. It consists of five steps that are: (1) Stating the problem to be investigated, (2) formulation of a hypothesis, (3) collection of data through observation and experimentation, (4) interpreting the data and (5) drawing conclusions from the information collected.
This method of scientific inquiry was developed in countries whose societies reflected a Christian worldview. In fact, this method of investigation was predicated upon the following syllogism: (1) God created the heaven and the earth (i.e., the universe), (2) God is a reasonable God, (3) ergo, the universe and those things in it can be understood on the basis of reason.
This presuppositional view of a created universe operating by divine order was the primary foundation for scientific study for such men as Galileo, Pascal, Newton, Faraday and many more. Even Albert Einstein defended his research of the unified field theory by saying, “I cannot believe God plays dice with the cosmos.”
Since Christian thoughts and beliefs played a prominent and undeniable role in the development of modern science, believers have no quarrel with the observable discoveries made by science. The disagreement comes when we get to steps (4) and (5), interpreting the data and the conclusions drawn. Christians are not arguing with scientific facts, we disagree with the eristic speculations made by some scientists.
Evolutionists have said that since many species have anatomical similarities they must have a common ancestor. That is a leap of faith not based on scientific fact. A believer can as easily say and be as correct by simply saying we have a common Creator who created all living things to thrive in the same earthly environment.
Christians do not deny climate change. We know, from scientific findings, that the earth’s climate has gone through periods of global cooling and warming. Some scientists have said the earth’s average global temperature a thousand years ago was warmer than it is today. I believe we are in a warming cycle and the current global warming is the result of a natural global climate cycle, not man-made. The science supports that.
There is no settled science on how we should address the current pandemic. I think that much of the “science” reported on this plague at present is politically skewed. There is so much conflicting information that is claimed to come from “science” I do not know what to think.
Rather than come to a hasty conclusion, I prefer the advice of Paul, ““O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith,” 1 Timothy 6:20-21, KJV.
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