TWO KINDS OF TRUTH

Focus: This session introduces the relationship of science and religion. The two can be mutually exclusive, adversarial, or amiable.

Who's Stronger?

You've seen those "fish" symbols on cars. The fish, which stands for Jesus, is a very ancient symbol of our Lord. If you take the first letters in the Greek phrase Ieous Christos, Theou Uios, Sotier (which means "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior"), you spell the Greek word for "fish," ichthus. Jesus' association with fishermen (Matthew 4:19) makes the symbol a meaningful one.

Several years ago I began to see a variation on that symbol. The fish had little feet, and inside the fish was the name "Darwin." The symbol obviously signifies Darwin's famous theory: the fish has evolved into an amphibian. I thought that was perversely clever but also bothersome. Is evolution, and more generally scientific theory, in competition with religion? Is the truth of science supposed to supersede "revealed truth"? Does science replace Jesus as Savior?

Then I saw a different symbol on the Internet: a Darwin fish being swallowed by a Jesus fish, along with the caption, "Survival of the Fittest." That bothered me more. Is religious belief supposed to be an enemy of evolutionary theory? By implication, is Jesus the foe of scientific inquiry? Plus, isn't "survival of the fittest" an objectionable idea for many people?

As I worked on this chapter, my teenage daughter saw a book that lay beside my computer. "'Religion and Science'?" she asked, repeating the title. "That's a weird combination!" She revealed a feeling that many of us have: the two fields seem to be two kinds of truth, difficult to reconcile and perhaps even rivals.

Ubiquitous Science

As kids would say, "Science rules!" Can you think of aspects of your life that aren't affected by science, or by the technological results of science? I can't. Each day I benefit from science: the purified and fluoridated tap water that I drink, the medicine that I take, the many machines that I use, and so on. I might have died in childhood (like, for instance, six of my grandmother's siblings many years ago) if not for the antibiotics and inoculations that I took when very young. I'm grateful for the many scientific discoveries that make life safer and better. I'm also grateful for the ability of science to warn us about potential troubles, such as environmental crises and ethical issues that emerge from medical discoveries.

"Modernity" is a word given to several interrelated aspects of our contemporary world: democratic and representative governments; technological and industrial economies; broad equality and rights among people; the freedom of scientific inquiry; and in many countries, freedom of religious expression. Although science and technology have greatly benefited the modern world, observers note the "downsides" to technology: more sophisticated weaponry, environmental challenges, and a secularism that some believe undercuts religious values. Thus, modernity brings both new opportunities and insecurities.

Alvin Toffler, in his famous book from 1970, Future Shock, divides human history into approximately 800 lifetimes. He notes that only in the last 70 lifetimes have human beings had written language; only in the last six lifetimes have we had printed language; and only in the 800th lifetime have we had the products and appliances that we rely upon daily. Little wonder that we feel insecure sometimes! He also notes that modern science has progressed stupendously, but without the feeling of us having arrived at a good place.

Centuries ago, science and theology went hand-in-hand since they were founded upon similar philosophical principles. But this is no longer the case. Modern science operates by human observation, reason, and research rather than religious doctrines and sacred scriptures. Scientists themselves can be atheists or deeply religious, as they choose. Discuss your "gut feelings" about science. Is it (1) fascinating and important; (2) something you really don't understand; (3) a scary, risky thing; (4) a mixed blessing?

In spite of the predominant influence of science and technology, religion shows no sign of abating its influence in our modern era. Some of the religious fervor in our world is, unfortunately, scary and dangerous. But sincere people continue to find not only solace in religious belief but also positive life-changes, deep purpose, and divine help. Many of us can point to specific instances in our lives when God intervened decisively in our lives. Though God is not an object of scientific proof and investigation, people of faith do not doubt the existence and activity of God.

Thus many of us balance our religious certainties with the certainties of science, and we're not sure how these certainties can be reconciled, if at all. What are ways that science and religion interrelate?

Religion Trumps Science

It seems that on one hand, religious truths "trump" scientific truths. For instance, I believe in the Virgin Birth, the resurrection of Jesus, and the eventual resurrection of the dead. I believe that Jesus will return someday. From a strictly scientific viewpoint, these ideas are unprovable and even impossible; yet from the viewpoint of faith they are true.

Some people believe that stories in Genesis 1–2 give specific, historical truth about the creation of the world. God created the world in six days, several thousand years ago. God created the species, although species do alter over time, but not contrary to God's specific plan. Even if you don't read Genesis literally, you may believe in the basic truths of the account: God's establishment of the light from darkness, God's creation of the cosmos, the diversification of the species, and the dominion given to man and woman—all by God's word, creative power, and care. I also believe in God's ongoing, tender, and detailed care of creation as depicted in Psalm 104. The creativeness and the providence of God are truths that are not scientific, in that we know these truths by faith.

Many of us can point to instances in our lives when God worked miracles: a sickness healed, a hopeless situation fixed, a loved one converted. I can point to situations in my life where God worked mightily. Again, none of these are scientific truths, and some of them could be explained in a non-religious way. Examples of God's care in my life could simply be explained as serendipity, chance, or me "making my own good luck." Nevertheless, we believe these kinds of miracles are true.

Paul contrasts religion with, if not science specifically, the wisdom of the world; and the world's wisdom pales in comparison to the truth of the cross. "Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe" (1 Corinthians 1:20b-21). The truth of...