In Him All Things Hold Together

Faith and Science

7 minute read

The Statement of Faith

We believe that faith and science are not enemies. God is the author of both Scripture and creation; rightly understood, they cannot ultimately contradict. Science explores the natural world God made; Scripture reveals truths science cannot discover. Many founders of modern science were Christians who studied creation to honor the Creator. We reject both scientism (science is the only path to truth) and anti-intellectualism (science threatens faith).

What the Bible Says

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
— Psalm 19:1

Creation reveals God. Studying it—which is what science does—uncovers His handiwork. Science, done rightly, is a form of worship.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made."
— Romans 1:20

Creation points to Creator. The natural world is evidence of divine power and nature. Far from threatening faith, nature supports it.

The Relationship

Different domains, one truth. Science answers "how" questions about natural processes. Scripture answers "why" questions about meaning and purpose. Both are valid; they address different things.

Science has limits. Science can't prove or disprove God's existence—that's not a scientific question. It can't determine morality, meaning, or purpose. Scientism—the belief that science is the only source of truth—is self-refuting (that claim itself isn't scientifically provable).

Christianity gave birth to science. Modern science arose in Christian Europe. Belief in a rational God who created an orderly universe gave scientists confidence that nature could be understood. Many founders—Newton, Kepler, Boyle, Faraday—were devout believers.

Apparent Conflicts

When science and Scripture seem to conflict, several possibilities exist:

• We've misunderstood Scripture (e.g., Earth-centered astronomy wasn't actually taught by Scripture)
• We've misunderstood the science (scientific consensus changes)
• Both need more investigation

Apparent conflicts aren't reasons to abandon either faith or science. They're invitations to deeper study of both.

Why This Matters

Young people need confidence. Many leave faith thinking science disproves Christianity. It doesn't. They need to know faith is intellectually defensible.

We can engage culture. A church that fears science looks foolish. A church that engages it thoughtfully earns a hearing.

We worship the Creator. Understanding creation deepens our worship. The more we know of God's handiwork, the more we marvel.

Defending Against Critics

Objection: "Science has disproved religion."

Response: Science addresses natural causes; it can't adjudicate supernatural claims. Science hasn't disproved God; it can't. Many scientists are believers. The conflict is between worldviews (naturalism vs. theism), not between science and faith.

Objection: "What about evolution and Genesis?"

Response: Christians hold various views—young earth, old earth, evolutionary creation. All affirm God as Creator; they differ on mechanism and timing. This is an in-house debate, not faith versus science. What's essential: God created; humans bear His image; we fell into sin; Christ redeems.

Going Deeper

Key passages: Genesis 1-2; Job 38-41; Psalm 19; Psalm 104; Proverbs 25:2; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:17.