For those who are both evolutionists and theists one of the great tasks of our day is to figure out a less conflicted relationship between the two. Are they two independent realms (Gould's "Non-overlapping magisteria"), as some contend? Is one superior to the other, as others contend? What is their relationship? Francis S. Collins in his book, The Language of God, alludes to three different ways of thinking about the relationship of science and religion. Sometimes he speaks of merging the two; at other times he speaks of a synthesis or, again, a harmonization of them (See my review of Collins, The Language of God). Collins leans toward seeking a more harmonious relationship between religion and science. Others speak of distilling the knowledge we gain from both, or of integrating religion and science, or of having to bridge the gap between the two. Frequent mention is made of the need to reconcile religion (or faith) and science with each other.
So, how do we understand their relationship? It is clear that religion and science each represents a family of disciplines, histories, and institutions, and as such, each has its own integrity and perspective. It would be a tragedy to each to try to merge or integrate them into a single entity or create a unifying synthesis out of them, at least at this stage of our knowledge of God and the universe. And, if we try to harmonize them, what happens to the points where they are in disharmony? Whether it be integration, distillation, reconciliation, or harmonization, all of these approaches to the relationship between religion and science suggest a redrawing of boundaries between two kingdoms. There is a sense of wanting to declare peace between them and to get their inhabitants to like each other more than they do now.
Perhaps (underscore perhaps), it would be better to let each "do its thing" without worrying too much about their relationship as such. Speaking from the perspective of faith, it is perhaps best for us to think of scientific thought and findings as a resource for theological reflection—and, perhaps, even as a school (laboratory?) teaching us the subject of divine revelation. Theologians have long held that when we look into the heavens we catch a glimpse of God, and science today is able to look into the heavens in amazing ways. In doing so scientists provide people of faith with data and ideas worthy of thoughtful consideration. The discovery of the quantum world, as a prime example, expands our view of God's creative power, ingenuity, and sense of humor (metaphorically speaking, of course) in challenging new ways. Science thus offers our generation of theologians and preachers exciting opportunities to rediscover the central truths of our various faiths.
From our perspective, we should always be open to a dialogue with non-theistic scientists and otherwise sit at their feet as our mentors—realizing, of course, that we are learning from them more than they themselves are teaching. Indeed, we might even be humble enough to commend these teachers for their determination to learn the truth about the physical world and to be truly thankful for what they can teach us about God. As for the "relationship between science and religion," perhaps we should stop worrying about it—learn as much as we can, share where we can, and let it go at that. Just a thought.
