Chemistry and Biology on Christian Mind Essay

Chemistry and Biology on Christian Mind

The Effects Chemistry and Biology on Christian Mind

Science and Christianity share a very conflicting relationship. There are different faces of this relationship and we can determine this relationship by using different models. One of such models suggests that science and Christianity are in conflict with each other. Though both of these areas ask you the same question but the answers which they seek are entirely different. An evident example of this phenomenon is the stuff which is being published by atheist scientists who ask rhetorical questions in their readings which force the people to select either science or religion. [footnoteRef:2] [2: Richard James, Test of FAITH Science and Christianity Unpacked Youth Leader's Guide, (Kingston: Oxygen,) http://www.testoffaith.com/youth/Test_of_FAITH_youth_leaders_guide.pdf (accessed March 19, 2013), 6-8.]

The other model suggests that science and Christianity complement each other. In other words, this model suggests that science and Christianity seek to tell as the reality but from different perspectives. For example, if a question is being raised about human existence and identity that science will answer this question in relation to the biological factors such as, genes, human organs and chemical composition etcetera whereas, religion will seek to answer this question in terms of our relationship with God and His purpose behind creating us. [footnoteRef:3] [3: Richard James, Test of FAITH Science and Christianity Unpacked Youth Leader's Guide, (Kingston: Oxygen,) http://www.testoffaith.com/youth/Test_of_FAITH_youth_leaders_guide.pdf (accessed March 19, 2013), 6-8.]

The other model suggests that science and religion are not overlapping that is they entertain entirely different questions and do not come in between each other's way. And as these are different areas therefore they deal with different phenomenon hence they cannot be conflicting. According to Gould science entertain questions related to facts whereas religion entertain questions related to values, norms, behaviors and ethics. Science uses maths and logic to answer different questions and the tools used in religion are philosophy and theology. [footnoteRef:4] [4: Richard James, Test of FAITH Science and Christianity Unpacked Youth Leader's Guide, (Kingston: Oxygen,) http://www.testoffaith.com/youth/Test_of_FAITH_youth_leaders_guide.pdf (accessed March 19, 2013), 6-8.]

The last model suggests that Christianity and science are interrelated to each other and we can acquire knowledge about one with the help of the other. This view directly opposes the Gould's view. But this model has a lot of opponents as in order to provide information about one area the other must have influence or command over the other area. In addition to that, in order provide information about Christianity, science should be limited to a particular place and time and in order to provide information about science Christianity must leave its empirical thinking and should think in relation to investigations.[footnoteRef:5] [5: Richard James, Test of FAITH Science and Christianity Unpacked Youth Leader's Guide, (Kingston: Oxygen,) http://www.testoffaith.com/youth/Test_of_FAITH_youth_leaders_guide.pdf (accessed March 19, 2013), 6-8.]

There are various views in science that move us closer to God, whereas there are others that move us away from him. The Bible clearly states that there was a beginning point when the heaven and earth were being created by God. However, historically most of the scientists believed that the universe always existed in the same form as it exists today. But this scientific view is being now opposed by the evidence that is being collected by the scientists. This evidence suggests that the universe came out of a black hole explosion at some time in the past and it never existed always. [footnoteRef:6] [6: Robert C. Newman, Christianity and Science, http://www.newmanlib.ibri.org/NewmanPpt/ChrScience.pdf (accessed March 19, 2013).]

The big bang theory does not rule out creation but the special causes of God for which He created in the universe cannot be explained by the systematic ways of science. The big bang theory suggests that the black hole explosion was a result of some unidentifiable cause and even after the decades of research scientists are still not able to find out the reason of the explosion. This suggests that there is some complex cause behind this explosion which cannot be defined in systematic terms. And this suggestion moves us closer to the biblical approach that God created the universe at some beginning point as a result it also moves us closer to God. In addition to that, science is not able to find the reason behind this approach because scientific methodology operates in this world and not before the existence of this universe.[footnoteRef:7] [7: Barry Newman, Vaughan Brown, David Ruys, and Jim Wright, "The questions students ask: Science and Faith in the Classroom." (Working paper. University of NSW, 2012), http://www.iscast.org/articles/ISCAST-Teachers_Science-Faith_Panel_ 2012-07-19.pdf. ]

According to the Biblical approach this universe is created through God's wisdom and different elements in this universe strongly represent His wisdom. However, some scientists argue that this universe has been the way it is merely because of chance and there is no planning behind the creation of this universe.But evidences have been given by many scientists that the universe has a strange ability to adjust with the living beings that are present in it and it assists the existence of these living beings. This 'strange ability' has again not been explained by science which suggests that there are certain phenomenon which are beyond the reach of science and which cannot be explained through it. This point supports the Biblical approach and strengthens our faith in the existence of God.[footnoteRef:8] [8: Robert C. Newman, Christianity and Science, http://www.newmanlib.ibri.org/NewmanPpt/ChrScience.pdf (accessed March 19, 2013).]

For Christians, according to the teachings of the Bible this universe was created by God in the same way as it exists today and Christians also believe that this entire universe was created by God in a limited period of time. But science has a contradictory view about the shape and structure of the universe at the time of its creation. Science believes that the universe was a not created in the form in which it exists. Science states that the universe took sufficient amount to acquire its current form and structure. Science even provides sufficient amount of evidence to prove its point-of-view. These evidences have a negative impact on the Christian mind as they are being prompted to choose either the Biblical approach or the scientific phenomena and by accepting the scientific phenomena they have to sacrifice some amount of their faith which might move them away from God. [footnoteRef:9] [9: Robert C. Newman, Christianity and Science, http://www.newmanlib.ibri.org/NewmanPpt/ChrScience.pdf (accessed March 19, 2013).]

The Darwin's theory of evolution also against the Christian faith as it suggests that all the living organism that is, plants, animals and human beings, come from a simple same ancestor whereas, the Bible clearly states that God created life with diversity. In addition to that, some scientific evolutionary theories also suggest that all the living things were created from some non-living thing but these theories due to lack of evidence were later deemed false. Another major conflict between science and Christianity is the ape to human evolution theory. This theory suggests that the evolutionary roots back to 85 million years. It suggests that human beings evolved from their ape ancestors and this theory has been supported by strong genetic evidences. Many of the fossils of primates that are somewhat related to human beings. This brings the Christians in a very compromising situation as their religion clearly states that God created human beings in their current form and there is no concept of ape to human evolution in the religion. Hence accepting the scientific view will take them away from their religion but the current developments may make it compulsory for them to accept it. [footnoteRef:10] [10: Johnson, Phillip E. "Evolution and Christian Faith." http://www.ldolphin.org/ntcreation.html (accessed March 19, 2013).]

Science has also affected our way of thinking and culture. Phenomenon such as homosexuality, which is not considered as a harmful issue by science, is considered as extremely unacceptable by religion. In addition to that biotechnological equipment such as ventilators and processes such as cloning are also against the Christian point-of-view. As Christianity suggests that only God decides when a life should begin and when should it end. Hence use of such equipments and processes may misguide and cloud the Christian brains and may take them away from God.[footnoteRef:11] [11: Sims, Dale B. The Effect of Technology on Christianity: Blessing or Curse? http://www3.dbu.edu/Naugle/pdf/The Effect of Technology on Christianity2.pdf (accessed March 19, 2013). ]

Though science and Christianity can have conflicting point-of-views at times but still at many places science acts as a blessing of God. It is a form of knowledge and it tells us a lot about the world in which we live. In the past decade this field has achieved great advancements and has worked a lot to increase the knowledge of human creeds and to facilitate our lives. Science plays an important role in our daily life. From the transportation that we use today to the soaps and detergents all are the blessings of different forms of science. It has played an important role in facilitating our lives and has proved out to be a….....