Faith and Science … Opposing Forces?
Ours is certainly not the first, nor will it be the last, dive into the perilous waters of science and faith. But we do believe it’s well past time to remove that stigma. It’s likely there won’t ever be a day when these two things aren’t “debated.” The fundamental reason for that (and by “that,” I mean the word debated)? Because I believe the prevailing opinion is that science and faith are seen in the context of a boxing ring. They occupy two opposing corners, and each desires to defeat the other … to win.
There is one thing which I believe is at the foundation of this “battle,” and it is the singular take-away that I desire from this week’s message. I believe that every person, no matter which “corner” they are in, possess a bias. This bias affects everything they say and do as they engage in conversation or confrontation. I possess a bias and I am not shy in admitting it. I believe in the God of scripture, the God who created our world and everything that surrounds and supports it. This is my bias…
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20 (NIV)
As I approach modern science, that is my bias. And I believe it because as I have studied the Bible and done my best to live it out its truth in my everyday, everything good in my life echoes back that truth. I can draw a direct line from everything good (and many times, not so good) in my life back to scripture. Whether it’s the type of person I’m supposed to be, to my understanding of right and wrong, who I am supposed to be as a husband, as a father, all of it comes from scripture.
Now, here’s the thing … there are people who believe in evolution, the theory that what we have and are now came from a cataclysmic chaotic event and has evolved from there, who believe in that as strongly as I believe in a God who breathed all of it into being. They have a bias. They believe there is no God, or if a “higher” power or force does exist, it wasn’t responsible for creating the rock that they call home and everything that surrounds and supports it.
This is what I wish for you to take away from this week’s message.
I encourage you to watch this week’s video. There is clear reference to, and details of things that support Creation as the origin of all things, like the bombardier beetle, the earth’s magnetic field and soft tissue found in the remains of a dinosaur fossil. There is clear reference to, and details about the obstacles that believers in evolution have had to find their way around, like Carbon 14, Piltdown Man, Nebraska Man (although I am one, not me) and the Geological Column. But as important as these natural truths are, we (at Life Bridge) don’t prefer to engage in a point, counter-point “debate.” We are far more interested in a conversation. If this week has created a curiosity, or even offended you on some level, we hope that you’ll reach out to us.
I believe that science and faith are resonant, not opposing forces. I believe that evolution is not just a theory, it’s also a system of faith … a religion. I have a bias. I believe in God and have found the Word of God to be true. I further believe the evolutionary community possesses a bias. I believe they are looking for something, some other explanation for the origin of the universe, besides God.
In the end, I am not seeking to “defend” the Bible. The Bible doesn’t even defend itself. It doesn’t defend, it proclaims. And here’s what it says about the world we live in and all that surrounds and supports it…
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1
It doesn’t matter what it is, whether it’s a sunrise or sunset or some little beetle that shoots stuff out of his butt to defend himself, everything is intricately and perfectly put together, and good logic and good reason will lead you to the conclusion that there has to be a designer.
What does the Bible proclaim about the wisdom of this world, or man’s search to find the origin of things apart from Him?
Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
I Corinthians 1:20-25
You need to make a choice, and that choice leads you to another that is the most important one of your life. People of faith have a bias. People of faith in science have a bias. Which truth of the origin of things rings true in your life? And if you come to believe in the truth that there is a Designer, a God who breathed the order and intricate detail of this world into existence, then what will you decide about what his Word says his Son did for you? God sacrificed his only Son on the cross so that you can know what real life is, and so you can spend the rest of it with Him. For a part of it in this broken world, and for the remainder of it in the world that He always intended this one to be. You need to make a choice, and we are absolutely here to listen and engage in that conversation and decision.
