Solomon is reputed to have been the wisest man that ever lived. He also is one of the most curious men that ever lived. His book of Ecclesiastes attests to that fact. He wrote “I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven.”(1:13) “and I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness in folly”(1:17). His investigations and musings chronicled in Ecclesiastes bears witness to his curiosity.
Christians ought to be “cut from the same mold” as Solomon regarding curiosity about the world and how it works. However, often we find the opposite to be true. This lack of curiosity is clearly demonstrated in many Christian’s regard (or lack of regard) for the questions posed, and answers obtained, in the area of science. In a sermon I heard last year, the speaker discussed two types of people and how they regard the world (including creation). One was the investigator, whose quest for understanding (according to the speaker) revealed human pride and a desire to put himself in God’s place. The other was the one who lived by “simple faith”, that is, the one who didn’t ask questions, but rather unhesitatingly accepted what he was told by the authority.
But this has not always been the case! As Francis Schaeffer points out in his book He Is There And He Is Not Silent (pg.43), both Oppenheimer and Whitehead, well-respected scientists who did not claim to be Christians, insisted that modern science could not have arisen except in the Christian milieu. In the 16th-18th centuries, there was a general consensus that the universe was created by a reasonable God, and hence, the universe could be found out by reason. Scientists, such as Newton, Kepler, and Faraday, as Christians, were driven by curiosity about how the universe worked and saw no contradiction between science and their faith.
An obvious question is, why have Christians changed their outlook on the universe? There are no easy answers, but I think that three factors play a significant role.
1. The first is that Christians have tended to compartmentalize Science and Christian faith, as in “who do you believe, Science or the Bible?”(1) This point of view sees the two as being diametrically opposite views in mortal combat, rather than being complementary views of the universe.
2. Scientists sometimes ask hard, penetrating questions and at times, the answers they obtain are complex and may seem to be challenging to a Christian’s belief. It is frequently easier to simply ignore (or disregard) what the scientists have said rather than take the time and energy to thoughtfully engage their idea or concept.
3. Christians often have a limited view of God and the Bible. Although not verbalized directly, the thought is conveyed that He must have done it (created the universe) “in the way I think He did”. Without saying so, many are employing a de facto veto on how God can work. In reality, the Bible teaches that God is Sovereign and Powerful. He is not limited in what He can do nor is He limited in how he can accomplish His purposes.
What does a Christian lose by this posture? Much! Knowing what we know about the God of the created universe, we ought to be brimming with confidence and boiling over with curiosity regarding what He has created. Instead, many Christians have a sterile, sometimes fear-driven (?) view of what the scientists may find. In my lifetime, Astronomers have discovered black holes, stars 10 miles in diameter weighing twice as much as the sun (i.e., neutron stars), microwave radiation flooding the universe, colliding galaxies, and dark matter (“stuff” that exerts a gravity force just like ordinary matter, but can’t be seen because it doesn’t shine, reflect light, or block out light). We are constantly learning what an awesome universe we live in! And who has discovered these awesome features of God’s creation? Those motivated by curiosity about creation, that is, the Scientists.
Christians also lose a magnificent opportunity to engage the scientist. The Bible commands believers to go “make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all that I [Jesus] have commanded.” (Matthew 28:19-20). How can a Christian fulfill this command with a scientist if he has no interest (or idea) in what the scientist is interested in? In plain English, why should anyone listen to me, if I don’t respect them enough to listen to what they are saying?
Finally, what does the Christian gain by this lack of interest in, or even posture of antagonism toward, Science? In my opinion, absolutely nothing; it is a waste of time!
(1) There are many scientists who view Science and the Bible in the same manner for a myriad of reasons. A person coming from a humanistic or atheistic background may understandably fall into this trap, but there is no reason for a Christian to do so.
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