The 100th Post: Why Science & Religion?

This is the 100th posting since I started Rom Phra Khun in early April.  it is also the 20th posting that deals with the relationship between religion and science.  It's fair to ask why would a blog with the subtitle, "A Pastor's Blog," give so much attention to this issue.  There are several answers:

• The relationship between religion and science is a fascinating subject in and of itself.
• If we believe that God is revealed in nature, then the discoveries of science should be of great interest to us.  They are, in fact, a resource for theological reflection.
• Science dominates our world today in every aspect; if we are serious about sharing our faith with others, we have to be able to speak the language of science and package our message in its language and thoughtways.
• Because science is culturally dominant, those churches that treat it as an enemy of God are doomed to irrelevancy.
• When our children discover that science is not the enemy of religion, as so many have been taught, it can have unfortunate consequences for their faith.  We need to teach them a better, middle way.
• Anti-theist scientists have taken it upon themselves to attack all religion indiscriminately as being evil, and their voices have gained a popular following in some quarters.  We need to learn how to respond.
• Anti-evolutionary biblical literalists have set themselves up as the spokespersons of faith when it comes to matters of religion and science, and those of us who are theists and evolutionists need to make our voices heard in the public debate regarding religion and science.

For me personally, the most compelling items on this list are the first two.  In all of its branches, the sciences are discovering incredible new things every day, things that broaden and deepen our understanding of the world and ourselves.  When we bring biblical faith, theological developments, and the findings of science together in dialogue, we gain a new understanding of our faith in God.  The other items on the list are important, but these two stand out—for me.

And at the end of the day, as a pastor and as a preacher it is vital that my preaching and ministry reflect the best possible understanding of God and of faith in the early 21st century.  Science, in dialogue with the Bible and the traditions of the church, is a crucial part of my daily training in ministry and a key resource for preaching.  But, mostly, it is just plain fun to play around with all the ideas that come out of examining the findings of science with the eyes of faith.