It’s very frustrating to see the anti-science attitude displayed by so many Christians – just as it is distressing to see the anti-Christian attitude displayed by many scientists. There should be no – there IS no – conflict between Christianity and science.
The battleground is usually evolution, and the fight seems a terrible waste of time. Did God create and maintain the universe? Yes. Does he use evolution in that process? Yes. Did he use only micro-evolution which is observable fact, or also macro-evolution? Ay, there’s the rub. Is it a divisive topic that – no matter what your conclusion is – has little or no impact on how we live our daily lives? Yes, I believe so. For those who feel compelled to duke it out… well, God bless you, and good luck. The one thing that is indisputable is that our scientific knowledge is constantly growing, and for people at any point to put a cap on it and declare that a debate is over is incredibly arrogant. Science changes all the time, and for those Christians who engage in heated debates over evolution, I offer a piece of advice from Colin Powell:
“Don’t let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn’t go with it.”
Today is the anniversary of the discovery of Pluto – only 78 years ago.
And it was just two years ago that scientists decided that Pluto was not a true planet. It’s a dwarf planet. There’s no telling what we’ll know about our own solar system in two more years, much less the rest of the universe or even the planet we live on. It’s also worth noting that most of us rely on translations (via an advocacy media) of what the scientists actually say, so when we argue, it’s often with faulty information. We are currently in the throes of the fifth global climate change “crisis” in the last century.
In spite of our incomplete knowledge and imperfect understanding, at the heart of the matter is this fact: science declares the glory of God.
Francis Collins, the director of the US National Human Genome Research Institute, claims there is a rational basis for a creator and that scientific discoveries bring man “closer to God”.
His book, The Language of God, to be published in September, will reopen the age-old debate about the relationship between science and faith. “One of the great tragedies of our time is this impression that has been created that science and religion have to be at war,” said Collins, 56.
“I don’t see that as necessary at all and I think it is deeply disappointing that the shrill voices that occupy the extremes of this spectrum have dominated the stage for the past 20 years.”
Laura, Thanks for that balanced write-up. As one of those involved in “duking it out” I appreciate your tone. Collins is also a good person to quote. Henry
I actually feel kind of bad about it. I probably ought to care more, and there’s part of me that’s glad you and others are out there duking it out. I just can’t connect myself to that debate. No time or energy (or inclination) to make a meaningful contribution. But I will admit that the people who insist the earth is 6k years old annoy the heck out of me. And I really am not convinced that I have an ape for an ancestor. But I’m not sufficiently exercised to have an informed opinion so I usually just keep quiet.
My view is that you can’t be obsessed with everything. My wife feels much like you do. She says, “Bless you while you argue about that,” but she doesn’t get involved. Personally, I’m happy as long as people aren’t reading one another out of the kingdom of God over it.
I don’t know if you saw my post in asides, but I saw your governor interviewed by Wolf Blitzer, and he does a great job. I’d be feeling hopeful right now if I lived out your way…