Christian Living in an Age of Science (9)

We live in a world which is penetrated through and through by science... The world today is made, it is powered by science; and for any man to abdicate interest in science is to walk with open eyes towards slavery.

– J. Bronowski, Science and Human Values

As we have seen, science and technology pervade every nook and cranny of contemporary life. We cannot escape them. Indeed, we have Biblical warrant for taking an active interest in science and making the most, for the Kingdom purposes of God, of all the benefits science and technology make available.

We’ll be considering these questions throughout the remaining installments in this series.

Watch where you walk
We begin with an affirmation and a warning: Scripture strongly encourages us to a responsible and circumspect use of science and technology.

Everything we have seen thus far in this series indicates that Christians have a stake in the work of science. We cannot avoid science; we can use science profitably, and we can make an important contribution to the proper role of science in society and culture. Every believer must recognize the inescapability of science and work to maintain a responsible and circumspect approach to whatever his or her particular involvement with science might be.

We must take care in our involvement with the sciences, as with any discipline which is largely dominated by secular and naturalistic thinking, lest we be drawn away to conclusions and practices that do not contribute to seeking the Kingdom of God. We must take a responsible and circumspect approach to our involvement with science, keeping a close watch over our path at all times (cf. Prov. 4:25, 26; Eph. 5:15-17). In all our ways – including our use of science and technology – we must commit to following the Lord, letting His Word be the final authority in all our decisions and actions (Prov. 3:5, 6).

Now this may seem obvious, but let’s consider a couple of examples. Most basic, let’s think of the language of science. The secular scientific community employs certain terms in the work of science that it will be important for Christians to understand from within the context of our own worldview. It is common, for example, to hear scientists talk about the “laws of science”, as if independent, self-regulating patterns of material interaction existed throughout the cosmos. They do not. The “laws of science” merely describe the workings of an orderly and faithful God as He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. The trap using such language uncritically can spring is that we may, by careless acquiescence in such language, contribute to the attempt on the part of some scientists to eliminate the need for God. If the cosmos runs by its own self-generated and self-regulated “laws,” then what role can there be for God?

Christians engaging in the sciences will want to bear in mind that, just as we use the term, “fall”, to describe a season of the year when leaves do not actually “fall” from trees but are, instead, cut and cast off, so we use the term “laws” of science, not necessarily with accuracy, but for convenience. Other such terms commonly occur in the arena of science which Christians might use, for the sake of communication and collaboration, but which they will, if only in their own minds, always qualify within the framework of their Christian worldview. Among these I would include “evolution”, “the Big Bang”, “anti-matter”, “nature,” all words related to “fetuses”, and even “research” or “studies.” All such terms are loaded with secular connotations and, if not scrutinized and qualified, can lead to conclusions and practices which Christians should not support.

More to the point of our daily interaction with the sciences, consider the following: Among the greatest scientific and technological innovations in our lifetimes are the personal computer and the Internet. What a great blessing these tools can be for enriching our lives, improving our work, and keeping us informed and in touch with the people in our lives.

But how easy it is for these tools to lead us into the snares of sin. The same computer and Internet that bring us the daily news and insights from Christian leaders, and provide opportunities for creativity and communications, are also ready to deal unfruitful diversion and worse, pornography and ruin, to the unwary soul. The mere fact that such destructive diversions exist and that so many people make use of them, is no warrant for Christians to do the same.

Christians will need to develop firm discipline in the use we make of science and technology, so that we remain mindful of and loyal to our Christian worldview at all times. We must engage the sciences, but we must do so responsibly and circumspectly, “under the heavens” and not merely “under the sun.” This will entail becoming more aware of the various ways that we as Christians are involved with the sciences, and where, specifically, the potential diversions and snares exist.

Become more scientifically aware
Science is so important to contemporary life that it is not wise for Christians to ignore developments within this arena. Especially is this necessary, given the tendency on the part of certain very visible scientists and science writers, to rule God and faith out of the arena of scientific activity.

Gordon Clark has written, “Since every curious and intelligent person naturally wishes to understand his own times, he must be prepared to give science sustained attention” (The Philosophy of Science and Belief in God). Several ways exist for Christians, taking a responsible and circumspect approach to the sciences, to fulfill this requirement.

Reading is the obvious starting-point. Many popular books, journals, and websites are available that can keep us posted on developments and issues in the sciences. We should set aside some time each week to catch up with various aspects of the work of science, and to consider these from the perspective of our Christian worldview. Unless we are aware of what’s going on in the sciences, we will be ill-prepared to talk about developments with our unbelieving friends or to equip our Christian friends with perspectives appropriate to a Christian worldview. Ignorance of these developments may even cause us to fall into practices that are not consistent with our profession of faith.

Does it matter, for example, that certain neuroscientists are persuaded that all human activity is reactive, and that there is no such thing as free will? Are we all just the product of responses in our brains to external stimuli which teach us how to “think” and act? If so, what are the implications of this, for example, to questions of guilt or innocence in a court of law? Or to the State’s oversight of the practices of child-rearing and education?

Is the Higgs boson particle really a “God particle”? That is, does it provide a kind of finality in explaining the cosmos that will render the need for God completely obsolete? And is this term – “the God particle” – one preferred by scientists or pushed by the media?

Is the transhumanist movement – the effort to direct human evolution beyond its present state of (especially cognitive) development by wedding human beings with technology – an effort we should keep an eye on in the days ahead? And what if we don’t?

Should environmental scientists be allowed to experiment on a planetary scale with schemes designed to slow down or even reverse the rate of global warming? And should rich nations – and their taxpayers – be required by international treaties to pay for such large-scale interventions in the workings of creation?

Have scientists indeed succeeded in creating life out of mere genes and other pre-existing material? Should they be allowed to patent “products” issuing from human fetal stem cell research? Is there any harmony to be observed between aspects of scientific research and the teaching of Scripture concerning various aspects of life?

These are just a few samples of the kinds of issues that are being pursued and discussed in the realm of science. Each of them has a bearing on our lives, now or in the future. Unless we prepare to engage such issues, we may find ourselves on the receiving end of the “good ideas” of people who do not share our worldview, but who will command our freedoms.

In addition to reading and study, Christians should seek out opportunities for talking with other believers about how best to make use of science and technology in a responsible and circumspect manner. Jonathan Edwards wrote, “Improve conversation with others to this end. How much might persons promote each other’s knowledge in divine things, if they would improve conversation as they might; if men that were ignorant were not ashamed to show their ignorance, and were willing to learn of others; if those that have knowledge would communicate it, without pride and ostentation; and if all were more disposed to enter on such conversation as would be for their mutual edification and instruction” (“Christian Knowledge”). Edwards was not thinking specifically about the sciences, but I’m certain he would agree both with the need for believers to keep up with issues and developments in this field (he did) and to talk about these with one another for mutual edification and equipping.

A ready witness
If we prepare carefully and hone our speaking ability among our Christian friends, we may find that we are surprisingly ready and able to give a reason for the hope that is within us whenever questions about science or technology arise with our unbelieving friends and colleagues. Author Holmes has written, “The idea of Christian witness, like discipleship and vocation, is too often narrowed down to what is in fact but one part of witnessing, namely a verbalized testimony to the saving work of Christ...The Christian likewise witnesses by the breadth and depth of his involvement with God’s creation. Whatever he is and does speaks concerning truth, and all truth is God’s truth wherever it be found. All creaturely activities and all human learning bear witness” (All Truth is God’s Truth).

The Christian worldview is as large as life – life which Christ came to bring us and for which He died and rose again (Jn. 10:10). The salvation of Christ extends to the whole of life – ours and all of life throughout the entire cosmos (Jn. 3:16). Our witness will be more convincing when we are able to speak about the implications of Christ’s death, resurrection, reign, and return for all human endeavors and the whole created universe.

If we bathe our reading, conversation, and use of the sciences in prayer, seeking the Lord and His Kingdom for a responsible and circumspect approach to this ubiquitous and important arena of culture, we will find that God can give us just the words we need in order to offer a complete witness for Christ when questions of science and faith, science and society, or science and life are on the table. What Harry Blamires wrote is certainly true:

“Christianity can never be simply a matter of personal conversion determining the character of moral life. It is also a matter of intellectual enlightenment transforming the whole of mental life. It is not only a matter of entering upon the life of spiritual regeneration, but of entering upon a total revaluation of all interests – intellectual, cultural, social, and personal – in the light of the Gospel revelation. And more than that, for much has happened since Christ rose from the dead” (Recovering the Christian Mind).

And at least part of what has happened is the growth of science and the many ways it interacts with and shapes our lives in the world. The better we as Christians prepare to take a responsible and circumspect approach to science and technology, the better able we will be to fulfill our calling to love God and our neighbor as we ought.

For reflection or discussion

1. What do we mean by a “responsible and circumspect” use of science and technology? What are the dangers if Christians fail to do this?
2. Why do you suppose most Christians are not more engaged with the sciences along the lines discussed in this article?
3. Can you see ways that a better understanding of the sciences might enhance your love for and walk with the Lord? Explain.
4. What will you need to overcome in order to put in place a more responsible and circumspect approach to the sciences in your own life? Do you have some Christian friends who might be willing to join you in this?
5. Why is this whole question – our involvement with the sciences – an important part of the salvation we enjoy in Jesus Christ?

I am grateful to Dr. Andrew Bobb for his help in pulling together the resources and contributing to the development of these studies.

For more insight to this topic, get the book, Christianity and the Nature of Science, by J. P. Moreland, from our online store. You should also read the article, “Are Christians ‘Anti-Science’?” by Charles Colson.

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