No Christian contradiction between Bible, laws of science

Christians should never be intimidated by atheists who claim that science disproves the Bible and who mock those who believe in God. But neither should they be intimidated by other Christians who claim that theories such as the Big Bang are “against the word of God,” and that the acceptance of scientific theories will undermine one’s faith.

All Christians can agree that what are commonly called the laws of nature were created by God (who, of course, can suspend them when he works miracles). To those who put sufficient effort into studying math and science, these laws are as much an awe-inspiring reflection of his glory as are the first rays of morning light illuminating a snow-capped Pioneer Peak.

For example, Newton’s law of universal gravitation shows us the elegant way God chose to order the motions of celestial bodies, and E=MC2 reveals the breathtaking simplicity and power with which God designed the relationship between energy and matter.

But think for a moment about how the science built around Einstein’s famous equation has been used both to benefit mankind and to create horrific weapons, and you can see how dangerous it is for Christians to cede the field of science to atheists! I would suggest that the parable of the talents extends even to the gift of reason that God has bestowed upon

us.

All very well, you might say, but don’t scientific theories such as the Big Bang directly contradict the Bible?

To answer that question, it’s useful to consider how a wise parent deals with a young child who asks where babies come from. All answers are variations on one of three possible responses.

One way to go is to make up a lie: “The stork brings them.” At the other extreme, one might launch into a detailed explanation of the biology of human reproduction, though we can all agree that this would be absurd, ineffective, and possibly harmful. The third option is to answer in a loving, truthful way that is simple enough for the child to understand: “When two people love each other, like your mommy and daddy, they get married, and God gives them the gift of a baby.”

Depending on circumstances, it may or may not be appropriate to add details like “babies grow in their mommy’s tummy.” The point is, the answer is quite literally truthful. It’s just been lovingly simplified.

So now let’s consider what the wisest father of all decided when he gave Moses the words to set forth in the Book of Genesis. He could have decided to reveal all the details of how he created the heavens and the Earth.

Of course, that would have required commanding Moses to obtain perhaps one or two million sheets of papyrus so that he could dictate the necessary volumes of mathematics, chemistry, physics that would be required for the ancient Hebrews to comprehend in detail the majestic brilliance of God’s design of the universe.

We have already agreed that the laws of nature are all the works of God. I propose that they were left out of the account of Creation for two reasons: first, because men living at that time could not possibly have comprehended the answer; and second, because it would have deprived man of the opportunity to learn for himself.

Wise parents do not always make things easy for their children. Indeed, they know that setting challenges for them to overcome can be the very best thing. The disciples were hoping for a messiah that would provide a quick and glorious victory over the Romans; the Devil tried to tempt Jesus with a shortcut to dominion. But God often requires us to take the longer, harder road; so too with the advancement of human knowledge.

For centuries, scientists taught that the universe was static, that it had always been and would always be, and they mocked the idea of a moment when God created the heavens, or a later moment when he said, let there be light. But in the last hundred years, scientists discovered compelling evidence that the universe went from non-existence to existence in a single moment of creation. Scientists have also come to recognize that only some time after the moment of creation did the universe come ablaze with light.

Four hundred years ago, the Church taught that the stars and planets revolved around a motionless Earth, and cited Biblical references implying the centrality of the Earth. When Galileo invited priests to look through his telescope and gaze upon the newly discovered wonders of astronomy, they refused, and persecuted him instead. What a tragic waste!

I urge all Christians to go ahead, look through the telescope of science. You will only be gazing upon the greater glory of God.

Jess Lederman lives in Wasilla and serves on the board of two non-profit organizations. He welcomes feedback that can be sent to jlederman17@gmail.com.