Religion vs. Science: Can They Co-Exist?

The following articles briefly touch on the debate between religion and science...

Pastor Carl Lentz says conflict between science and faith is a misconception

by Czarina Ong

Pastor Carl Lentz

Pastor Carl Lentz says if people are secure in their faith, they'll be open to learning, hearing, and discovering.

Faith and science seem to be polar opposites of one another, but Hillsong NYC senior pastor Carl Lentz believes that there is no conflict at all between the two. Lentz recently appeared on Comedy Central's "The Nightly Show" together with renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, according to the Gospel Herald.   

Tyson argued that it's hard to believe in the power of God when many calamities, disasters, and horrors are happening all over the world.   

"Anytime somebody talks about their understanding of God; typically it involves some statement of benevolence or some kindness. And I look up at the universe and yes, it is filled with mysteries. But it also filled with all manner of things that will just as soon have you dead, like asteroid strikes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes, disease, pestilence. There are things that exist in the natural world that don't have your health or longevity as a priority," Tyson said. "And so, I cannot look at the universe and say 'Yes, there is a God, and this God cares about my life.' The evidence does not support this," he added.

However, Lentz pointed out that God created science, and therefore Christians should not be fearful of it. 

"I think God created science, so, for me, I don't think that exploring any of this stuff is bad. I think it's going to lead you to acknowledge that something had to begin this, that there is something more. So I love it, I think that science is awesome. I don't think they are at war at all," he said.   

Lentz also could not understand why people feel threatened by science. When people are secure of their faith, Lentz said they will be open to learning, hearing, and discovering. "I think that's the essence of, at least, my religion," he said.

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Can religion and science co-exist, or are these standards of belief ultimately irreconcilable?

by Pastor Mark Brown

Pastor Mark Brown & family

The question asks “Can religion and science co-exist, or are these standards of belief ultimately irreconcilable?” The answer is yes, they can co-exist. Albert Einstein once said “Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind.”  

Scientific research and archeological discoveries supports biblical truths. The notion that science and religion are irreconcilable is centered on Charles Darwin’s book from 1859; The Origin of Species explaining the theory of evolution. Research all of the findings that compare biblical truths and you will find science supports them. Next time you run into a Scientist, as them if they believe there is intelligent life behind the universe. The majority will say yes. Science does contradict a literal interpretation of the first chapter of the first book of the bible regarding the origin of the universe. However, take into consideration that there is the letter of the law, the spirit of the law, literal and allegorical methods of interpretation. I know that is deep but let me say this, the earth is too perfect for it to have been created by anything or anyone other than God.

The bible clarifies why, who, and when. Take for instance the earth and where it stands. The earth is 93,000 miles from the sun. Too close and we would be consumed. Too far and we would freeze. What about the axis of the earth? It is tilted at a perfect 23 degree angel that allows equal global distribution to the rays of the sun making it possible for the food chain to exist. You see God created raw material for us to use. God perfectly aligned the cosmos as we know it.

In fact, the bible tells us there is nothing hidden that would not be made known and nothing new under the sun. It’s always been there. Jesus said, “I have come that we may have life and life more abundantly.” That means enjoying the creation of the Creator. God never makes a mistake. What He creates is always a masterpiece. Mass and matter do not limit God Almighty. That is why nothing is impossible for God to do in our lives. He still heals, reveals, brings peace, releases favor, and creates opportunities. Why? Because with Him nothing is impossible. Science reaffirms there is a God. It tells us something or someone created the world and the universe. Don’t put God in a box by not knowing who, what, and why. The “who” is God, the “what” is His voice, the “why” is so mankind could have the opportunity to worship and enjoy the living God. 

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Brown

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5 facts about the interplay between religion and science

by Cary Funk and David Masc

From the heresy trial of Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei four centuries ago to the uproar over Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, religion and science have often been seen as being in conflict. But are religious faith and the scientific enterprise really at odds with each other?

A new Pew Research Center survey examines this question through the lens of American public opinion and across a range of scientific topics. We found that a majority of Americans (59%) say that science is often in conflict with religion, with only 38% saying the two areas are mostly compatible. Here are five key findings from the report:

1) The least religiously observant Americans are most likely to perceive conflict between religion and science. Some 73% of adults who seldom or never attend religious services say science and religion are often in conflict, while half of adults who attend religious services at least weekly say the same.

2) Most American adults (68%) say there is no conflict between theirpersonal religious beliefs and science. For the 30% who do see a conflict, the most common source of disagreement involves beliefs about evolution and the creation of the universe. Indeed, among those who say that science and their own religious beliefs are in conflict, 36% cite evolution and/or the creation of the universe as the primary source of the discord – more than any other answer to the open-ended question.

3) Two-thirds of Americans (65%) believe that humans evolved over time. About a third of U.S. adults (35%) say that humans evolved through natural processes, while about a quarter (24%) say that human evolution has occurred with the guidance of “a supreme being.” About a third of adults (31%) say that humans did not evolve but have always existed in their present form; white evangelical Protestants (60%) are more likely than those in other major religious groups to hold this view. White evangelical Protestants also are more likely than others to say that there is not a scientific consensus on human evolution (49%).

4) The public is closely divided about whether churches and other houses of worship should be involved in science policy debates, such as climate change. Half of U.S. adults say churches should express their views on scientific policy issues, while 46% say they should not do so. Most white evangelical Protestants (69%) and black Protestants (66%) say churches should express their views. But a majority (66%) of those who are unaffiliated with any religion disagree, saying that churches should keep out of such matters. Catholics, like the public as a whole, are divided on this question, with 45% saying churches should express their views on scientific policy issues and 49% saying they should not do so.

5) People’s religious differences do not play a central role in explaining their beliefs on a number of science-related topics – ranging from views about climate change to the safety of genetically modified foods. One exception is human genetic modification, where religious observance is tied to public opinion. For example, 61% of U.S. adults who attend worship services at least weekly, regardless of their particular religious tradition, say genetic modification to reduce a baby’s risk of serious diseases would be “taking medical advances too far.” By comparison, among adults who seldom or never attend worship services, 41% say genetic modification for this purpose would be taking advances too far.