Science AND Faith

Colossians 1:16 (NIV) -

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

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While reading through a devotion this morning, I was reminded of the apparent 'tension' between science and faith. Our world makes such a big deal of the fact that faith and science do not, cannot, co-exist. I beg to differ, and I know I'm not the only one. In fact, 65.4% of the Nobel prize winners in the 20th century would agree with me! (https://doesgodexist.today/are-most-scientists-atheists/)

Most of the time when people are arguing that science and faith are in conflict with each other, they are actually missing the point entirely. Each one actually asks entirely different questions - science asks what and how, while faith asks who and why! As a result, I'd argue that unless you have both, you aren't seeing the full picture.

Think of it like a painting. Science asks questions like, "What techniques have been used to paint this? How were they done? What materials were used? Where did those materials come from?" Faith asks the questions of, "Who painted this? What was their life like? Why did they paint this? Was it because they were inspired, because they were bored, because they were poor, because they were rich?" One seeks to understand the painting itself. The other wants to understand the artist. To know one without the other leaves you missing something, an understanding of the painting that is incomplete or partial.

You don't have to be a scientific guru to think about this stuff. But I'd encourage all of you, at least to some level, to try and find out something about the world we live in and how it works, then let yourself be amazed at how God has designed everything we see. Here's a really simple one to get you started:

This morning, I found out that the astronauts of Apollo 8 read Genesis 1 aloud while watching the Earth from space. They were able to watch the world from outside and marvel at God's creation. You might not get the chance to look at our planet from above, not in person at least, but you do get to see parts of it all around you. Take a closer look and let yourself admire the beauty of God's creation - after all, it is a reflection of Him, constantly calling out His praises.