The Church and Science
Much has been said about this issue and Christians have a wealth of books with which to choose from if they want to be educated on the topic. But if the Christian wants to know the truth, if they are serious about using science in their studies, their work or their debates then they need to stop being lazy and start separating the good from the bad.
It is often said that ‘all science is good science’ but that is mere wishful thinking as we all know from history that that idea is just not so. The Nazi experiments during the 30’s and 40’s are just one horrific example of what happens when the moral boundaries are lifted for the pursuit of scientific curiosity.
One cannot lift God’s rules even from the field of science for then you are basically giving blank check to evil and letting it do its dirty work and allowing it to freely deceive people. There is good and bad science, there is right and wrong science and we must keep limits on those who work in the field for who knows what man will come up with when left to their own devices. Though we have a pretty good idea from the example of Dr. Mengeles and others, who have let evil be their guide.
Yet this warning does not dismiss science altogether. It must be remembered that God created that field and its purpose, which is to learn more about God and what He did at creation. This does not mean that we open the door to secular theories for such theories are alternatives to what God said He did and they are wrong. It means that we can use science properly and benefit from the knowledge we receive.
The church is NOT to stick its head into the sand when new ideas are brought to bear, we are not the religious authorities of the dark and middle ages, where the church was dominating and suppressing scientific thought. On the contrary, we are the guideline with which to temper these discoveries to make sure that they are NOT deceiving people and leading them astray.
That does not mean we persecute those who opt for the untrue ideas and theories of scientific research rather we present the alternative and stick to it, using science to demonstrate the truthfulness of God’s word. Such evidence includes the fact that for the past 10,000 years or less everything is done like the Bible said was initiated at creation. Also, when the Bible says ‘In the beginning..’ then we do not put a date upon creation, for it would be dishonest to do so because we do not know exactly when creation took place.
Along with that, we do not get caught up in arcane thinking that when the Bible states ‘the ends of the earth…’ or ‘the four corners of the world…’ or something similar, that it is teaching the earth is square or flat but that it is using common terminology because people understand what they mean and are still used today. We still talk about adventurers or missionaries going to the ‘ends of the earth’ or that sailors sail to the four corners of the world…’
There is nothing wrong with the Bible using those terms, or the ones that say ‘the sun rises or sets’. Even though we know that it doesn’t, we still talk like it does. One has to be careful that when they dismiss science that they do not throw the ‘baby out with the bath water’. For they will be throwing out a tool God has brought into existence for our benefit.
The church needs to learn to discern between good science and what is called secular science’. Secular science is designed to omit the supernatural and that is wrong. It is also designed to look in the wrong places for the right answer. Unfortunately, they usually find the wrong one.
Not all science is bad, but one must be careful when ignoring or using it as it is subject to the sin and corruption that entered into the world at Adam’s fall, including the scientists who work in its multiple fields.
Science is not the final authority for the devil has his hand in it and in its leadership so a believer must be strong, courageous and look to God to lead them to the right answers, the right methods, and dismissing the theories from the secular side, for the source contaminates the thought.
