HAVE WE MADE SCIENCE OUR GOD?

 

Isaiah 55:8-9

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,"

declares the Lord.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

                I am not anti-science. Actually, I have loved the study of science all of my life. When I was a boy, I had a microscope set and I used to do “experiments” on my own. I remember going to the store and marveling at the science equipment for sale there. That interest in science led me to get a degree in biology and in Medical Laboratory Technology. While at college, I was the most engaged when I was in the biology lab doing some experiment.

                Unfortunately, many people today have allowed science to replace God in their life. During this contentious Presidential campaign, the Democratic party has used the phrase “look at the science” as a rallying call. I understand the context in which they are using this, but what underlies it is an unwavering faith in science as the end all be all of life.

                When it comes to faith in God, many people retort with “look at the science.” For them, science has replaced the need for God. Science can or will soon explain everything. At least that is what people like Richard Dawkins want us to believe. “Look at the science” is a call to look away from God. Secular scientists today will look for any explanation to an issue except the supernatural. They refuse to even consider that there might be a force outside of our control that is ultimately in control. Some of these people are even willing to consider that aliens from another planet are the cause of some things, but unwilling to consider that God might need to be in the equation.

                I believe that God is the God of science. Our ability to examine, explore, and explain our world is all part of being made in the image of God. God gave us this ability, not so we could figure things out on our own, but to make us more aware of Himself. In the past, science has led to a greater awareness of and awe for God. Science has been given to us as a gift from God. As it says in Colossians 1:15-17, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. John echoes Paul’s words in John 1:3. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. Science is not our enemy. It is a gift from God.

                Satan has commandeered this amazing gift from God and twisted it into something else. In reality, it is just another version of his temptation of Adam and Eve in the garden. He told them that if they eat of the fruit of the tree, they would become like God. Now he has convinced many that if they put their faith in Science, they will become God. Science can explain everything. Science is the way of the future. Science eliminates the need for God.

                God is not shaken by this turn of events. He still uses science to awaken people to Himself. But He also confounds those who place their faith in Science. Paul addressed this in 1 Corinthians 1. 

    For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

    Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

                Science is an amazing tool that God has given us to explore and understand our world. But Science is a horrible god. It fosters human egotism, which leads to a rejection of the God of creation. We need to utilize science to the best of our ability, but we need to beware of letting the gift of science take the place of the Gift Giver.