Faith And Science: Is There A Conflict? Series

Faith and science: Is there a conflict?

“GOD’s works are so great, worth a lifetime of study--endless enjoyment!” Psalm 111:2 (MSG)

“but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (New Living Translation)

A. Introduction

Today we begin a new series of messages called “Tough Questions.” Why we need this? Because we need a …

1. AN EXAMINED FAITH: God does not want us to shut down our minds. No blind faith please. The Bible does not encourage people to be unquestioning machines. In fact one whole book of the Bible called “Proverbs” is dedicated to applying wisdom to everyday life. It requires common sense thinking, and not merely going by what feels good. Listen to this…

“but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (New Living Translation)

“And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth. As a result, many Jews believed, as did some of the prominent Greek women and many men.” Acts 17: 11-12 (New Living Translation)

The reputation of the Berean believers is legendary – they were known for their thorough study and open-mindedness and so were commended in Scripture for it. So should we as believers strive to emulate their example.

2. A GROUNDED FAITH: Preparation is vital for every Christian. We need to be ready to give valid reasons for the hope we have. So when asked we are able to articulate an intelligent reply that is hopeful, and not demeaning others or putting others down.

“…in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15 (New International Version)

If we cannot provide a reasonable answer for the hope we have, we’re on shaky ground. Then we might as well be followers of Yoda and not Jesus Christ.

3. A GROWING FAITH: We are to grow up in our thinking

Challenge from the Bible

“Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” 1 Corinthians14:20 (New International Version). We must not have infantile ideas, but become grown-up in the way we view things. The Bible throws out a challenge to use our brains and not let it go to waste.

Furthermore, growth is expected for Christians as the Bible says “…build yourselves up in your most holy faith” Jude 20 (New International Version). Our faith must not remain stagnant but must constantly grow in response to the Spirit of God who is moving us to become more Christ-like.

B. Is there a conflict between faith and science?

1. The greatness of creation

“GOD’s works are so great, worth a lifetime of study--endless enjoyment!” Psalm 111:2 (MSG)

These words from the Bible tell us God’s creation is worth studying. In fact right off the bat, God’s wondrous creation is not to be kept away from genuine research and study. It would seem there is no conflict when there is honest inquiry and study. In fact, It is “worth a lifetime of study”

Look at each snowflake… what glorious design there is. See pictures of design of each individual flake! Endless enjoyment!

Let me tell you the story of Allan Sandage who devoted his life to doing exactly that. SOURCE: Science Finds God, by Sharon Begley, Newsweek, July 20, 1998 jul98.

72 year old Sandage has spent a professional lifetime coaxing secrets out of the stars, peering through telescopes from Chile to California in the hope of spying nothing less than the origins and destiny of the universe. As much as any other 20th-century astronomer, Sandage actually figured it out: his observations of distant stars showed how fast the universe is expanding....But through it all Sandage, who says he was "almost a practicing atheist as a boy," was nagged by mysteries whose answers were not to be found in the glittering panoply of supernovas. Among them: why is there something rather than nothing? Sandage began to despair of answering such questions through reason alone, and so, at 50, he willed himself to accept God. "It was my science that drove me to the conclusion that the world is much more complicated than can be explained by science," he says. "It is only through the supernatural that I can understand the mystery of existence." --

And so it seems the more deeply scientists see into the secrets of the universe, you’d expect, the more God would fade away from their hearts and minds but the truth is if they are honest, it will reveal more of the genius of a wondrous mind of a Creator, a Designer of the universe.