This past week I was reading Mere Christianity by C.S Lewis. Within it, Lewis argues that science is just facts. It shows the world just as it is. A scientist observes how a plant grows, how an animal behaves, etc. and states what happened. However, a scientist cannot get observe the true purpose of the things which he observes, and thus cannot see the true Creator. Science shows the how but not the why behind nature. Augustine emphasizes this when he says, "The proud cannot find you, even though by dint of study they have skill to number the stars and grains of sand, to measure the tracts of constellations and trace the paths of planets"(Augustine 93). To say that scientists do not believe in God is a gross generalization. However, there is truth in saying that there are fewer believers in God among the scientific community than among the general public. Why is that?
Some scientists reject God because of a commitment to materialism. Some see no use for God. Some view faith and science as mutually exclusive(although we know this is not the truth). Some simply reject God, either because of pain or just because. I find it fascinating that one could study the details of nature, of the human body, of the world, etc and not see a divine Designer behind it all. It seems to all fit together too perfectly. It does not surprise me, however, that one might see that, yet choose to ignore it because they do not want to answer to a higher power, to God. It is sad to say but I believe most individuals simply ignore natural revelation because they do not want to answer for their actions or to change the way they're living. Some individuals say there is a god but simply use him as a resource. Their god is there to explain creation or to answer prayers and wishes. This demonstrates all too well the humility required to trust in God. Augustine says this when he says, "You come close only to men who are humble at heart"(Augustine 93).
P.S. I commented on Jamie's and Madalynn's posts.
I think people turn to science in terms of their beliefs is because science, to them, is the only field of study that seems to explain the ideas proposed in studies. Many will be like Thomas was when he first heard that Jesus had risen, he was skeptical, and would not believe until he had seen Jesus in the flesh, which he later did.
ReplyDeleteI like that you pointed out that a scientist cannot see what the real purpose of something is. I think it would be hard for a scientist to study and look at the intricacies of the world around them and not believe in God who meticulously created it all.
ReplyDelete