SCIENCE AND SCRIPTURE - DO THEY AGREE?

Modern science has shaped a new earth, or so it seems, and promises

next to transform the heavens. Beyond many of the fondest dreams of the

past, science and technology have changed man's existence physically,

socially and intellectually.

For some reason, the explosion of scientific knowledge seems to have

blasted God out of the world of learning. Since many university

professors seem reticent to speak of God as an Omnipotent Person, their

students understandably wonder whether the mountains of data accumulated

through scientific and technological advances imply the irrelevance if

not the unreality of God. In the words of Dr. Elmer W. Engstrom, Chief

Executive Officer of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), himself

largely responsible for the organization and management of a research

and development program that led to practical television service - "We

live in an age when the results of science and engineering exercise the

controlling influence in all walks of life."

Yet Dr. Engstrom does not stop there. Remarkably enough, while multitudes

of 20th century men and women are tempted to look upon science as a new god,

and on the God of the Bible as outmoded, an impressive number of scientists

- Engstrom among them - insist that it is science that is forever changing

, while the God of creation is the same "yesterday, today and forever."

Says Engstrom: "I accept as real God's ruling in the affairs of men and

in all aspects of His creation, and I accept the validity of a scientific

understanding of material things and the happenings of nature."

It is not "the scientists" as such, contrary to a widespread impression,

who are debunking the supernatural; their authority as a class cannot be

invoked against miracle or faith in the deity of Jesus Christ. While some

philosophers - notably, naturalists in the free world as well as the

dialectical materialist in the Communist world contend that the scientific

way of knowing disproves and discredits a supernatural faith, some of the

leading men of science have stepped forward to expose the impropriety of

such claims.

"Modern science has made wonderful changes in our lives", comments

Dr. James H. Shaw, associate professor of Biological chemistry at the

Harvard School of Dental Medicine, "But no standard for morals, no

universal concern for one's neighbor, no satisfaction for the yearning

human heart can spring from any amoral, impersonal body of knowledge.

Science has no answer to man's dilemma."

"For me, " Shaw continues, "the answer is a personal relationship with

God freely given by Him in response to faith in and commitment to the

claims of Jesus Christ."

Have science and technology solved man's basic problems: The quest for

ultimate truth by which to live and die, the problems of moral and

intellectual corruption, of crime, war, and suffering? So asks Dr. Bodo

Volkman, professor of mathematics at the Institute of Technology in

Stuttgart, Germany. His reply was very pointed: "It is evident that

mere scientific knowledge, however valuable, can never accomplish this.

Nor do I think that religious efforts will suffice." It takes, he says,

"something different from just adhering to some ethical principles or

believing in some anthropocentric god. Rather I do believe in the God

of the Bible as a Person, and faith in Him to me means commitment to

Jesus as the Christ. Actual communication with Him changes man's life

from within; it is here that the answer is waiting."

What then of the widely trumpeted conflict between science and

religion, and the bold claim of Anglo-Saxon naturalists and communist

atheists that belief in the supernatural is akin to faith in the pagan

myths? This is not only an exaggeration and over simplification - it

is a patent falsehood, and some scientists are saying so today with a

directness that contrasts with the timidity even of some theologians.

British scientist Malcom Dixon, who is a reader in enzyme biochemistry

at Cambridge University, from which he holds both PH.D. and Sc.D.

degrees, thinks the time long overdue to "dispel the harmful idea

that science is anti-Christian." He declares: "For over forty years

I have been engaged in scientific research and teaching at the advanced

level in Cambridge University, and I have found no reason to think that

there is any incompatibility between science and Christianity. Many of

the greatest scientists have been Christian believers, and I should

judge that there is now in this country about the same proportion of

such believers among scientist as among non- scientist."

Not the incredulity of the man of sound religious faith so much as

the naivete of the naturalistic mentality established the 'great divide'

between Christian belief and unbelief, emphasizes Dr. John A. McIntyre,

professor of Physics at Texas A & M University. In Professor McIntyre's

words: "The most distinctive characteristic of our times is the

sophisticated knowledge of people in scientific and technical matters

and the simultaneous ignorance and naivete concerning religious things.

The general opinion seems to be that science has replaced religion as

the source of answers for human questions, so that religious ignorance

is to be encouraged. Yet, how can science explain the terrible wars

and persecutions of this century among the civilized nations, the lostness

and boredom spreading rapidly through our materialistically affluent

society, and the recent disintegration of the American family?" He

continues: "As a scientist who discovered the Christian messages as an

adult, I can testify to the profundity and appeal of the Christian

explanation of these facts: that man is completely estranged from God

and that life is empty and incomplete until he returns to God through

His Son, Jesus Christ. Further, I know of no scientific facts which

contradict this view."

Against naturalistic and materialistic theories of consciousness,

Professor Thorson, of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, says:

"As a man who works in science, I do not find Christianity in any sense

outmoded. On the contrary, my experience is that a personal

relationship to Jesus Christ as God incarnate in man, a relationship

of trust and love, is both possible in and relevant to daily life."

The case for the reality of the supernatural and for the enduring

relevance of the Christian religion is not supported only by "Western"

scientists from Europe and America. In Africa and Asia as well, some

leaders in scientific interest are speaking about the decisive importance

of spiritual and moral priorities.

An Indian scientist, Professor H. Enock, retired department head of

zoology at the University of Madras in south India states: "After more

than 30 years of teaching I have had no occasion to change my view of

the spiritual realm or of the mission of Jesus Christ. I have come to

the settled conviction that no established fact of science contradicts

the Bible."

Dr Philip Saber Saif, Egyptian researcher in the Ministry of Education

in Cairo, pinpoints the crucial decision facing contemporary man this way:

"In this age, when nuclear experiments threaten the world with final

destruction, the only hope for humanity lies in Christianity. Our Bible

does not teach scientific theory, but theological and eternal truths. God

who created man has also created science. I believe that no man of science

has a proper reason for not becoming a Christian on the grounds of his

science." He further stated: "As Jesus refused to pursue the young man

(Matthew 19:16-22) and make other terms, so today the Gospel terms cannot

be lessened, cheapened or altered. Therefore, if a scientist comes to

God he must come the same way as any other man. He must repent, confess

his sin to God, and believe in Jesus Christ with all of his heart."

Efforts to flippantly sweep aside the Bible and the claims of Christ are

not valid in the light of testimony of many prominent men of science. It

now becomes a matter for the individual to seriously consider the claims

of Christianity.

The Bible declares that, "The world by wisdom knew not God"

(I Corinthians 1:21). It also tells us: "the fear of the Lord is the

beginning of wisdom." (Psalms 111:10)

"Thus sayeth the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither

let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his

riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and

knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercises loving kindness, judgment

and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, sayeth

the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:23,24)

We will be in prayer that you will come to the KNOWLEDGE that Jesus

Christ IS the ONLY way to peace of soul, and to salvation from ETERNAL

condemnation. Pray a prayer like this one, if you now know that you NEED

Jesus as YOUR Savior and you now accept His death as payment for YOUR

sins. Pray something like this...

Lord Jesus come into my life. I acknowledge that I am living in a

manner against God, a sinner in need of your salvation. I know that you

died for my sins, and I now ask you into my heart. Lord Jesus take my

life and do what YOU will with it that it may glorify you. I repent of

my sins, and come to you now. Thank you Jesus, for your promise that

"If any man confess me before man - him will I confess before my Father."

Computers for Christ - San Jose