2nd
Scientific Theories and Christianity
The Question: What is the role of scientific theories to Christianity?
Answer: You tell me.
Here is MY thought: (Help me understand if I need redirecting.)
When was the last time someone tried to take developing scientific theory and read it back into Christianity? Seems to happen everyday that a new book comes out to address these kind of approaches. And as about as often someone has to correct a misunderstanding that arose from such speculative “knowledge.”
It seems an appropriate exercise to clarify that a particular theory doesn’t discredit the Bible and the message of Christ the Creator - Redeemer. However, at times there seems to be some confusion in this effort, especially when someone asserts that a theory “supports” or worse, “proves” a biblically informed view.
There are three major areas of concern for me.
1) Is the writer a scientist or a theologian? Seems that most Christian readers (and writers) don’t know any actual research-based scientists who hold to the historic Biblical record very well. So instead of collaborating with a real scientist, a theologically or philosophically trained author will write for pastors, or the theological “choir”, and miss the larger opportunity of writing well WITH a scientist who can add real credibility to the discussion, if in fact, the discussion is about science at all.
Could it be an intelligent approach to get some books out co-written by a top flight scientist and top flight theologian or philosopher?
2) Too many such efforts seem to take a “two book” approach - one book for the spiritual (the Bible maybe) and another book (nature, scientific inquiry maybe) and then take either a dualistic approach or a synthesis approach. Both deficient and unsustainable over a generation or so.
Natural law as a primary basis does not stand the test to discover the truth, notwithstanding Thomas Aquinas’s assertion to the contrary - or maybe more fairly, some of the Thomists who have extrapolated his views.
So how can we ever get over such disdain for the sufficiency of scripture to provide a broad and certain basis for scientific discernment?
3) Why do we only make the investment in leaders whose primary focus is to defend the gospel against scientific theories that are held to weigh against the gospel and the biblical record or perspective? When will we start doing quality formulation of scientific theory ourselves? What if we had a few hundred or thousand scientists doing their science research to the glory of God from a properly based worldview?
Defending the faith IS important. Defending the faith is a part of the spread of the good news. But alone it is “weak as water” - a robust culture of discovery and purposefulness is more basic.
Is it not our opportunity now to make wise investments in science research(ers) at a time when many, Christians, secularists, and others, have turned away from scientific inquiry to scientific dogma?
Conclusion: What can we do to foster such improvements as I am asking about - or do you think the approach needs to stay the way things are today?
