Science and Faith – Sunday, November 01, 1981
From the beginning of time, man has debated the issue of faith vs. science—which is right.
Upon close examination, the premise that science and faith are incompatible does not hold true.
In the first place, it is faith alone, which gives validity to the conclusions of science. No scientific discovery, large or small, has ever been made without the exercise of faith.
The astronomer, scanning the heavens for cosmic truth, relies on faith as the basis for his observations: faith that the senses accurately transmit truth, faith in the reliability of his machinery, and faith in the observations of others which add to his own knowledge.
Alike, the philosopher searching for reality with his math and logic must trust in the rational faculties of man as a primary premise to his determinations.
In reality, science without faith is lifeless.
Nor does faith exist independently of science. Whatever the object of our faith, its source participates in the scientific process. The man whose faith in God is strengthened through an observation of the inherent design of nature, is using the same senses for his conclusion concerning God that the astronomer uses for his conclusions concerning the cosmos.
And even divine inspiration speaks to the soul with the same call for logic which science employs. “Come now, and let us reason together,”1 said the Lord to Isaiah.
Thus, science and faith are not combatants, but comrades in search of the same truths.
It is only shallow science which fears faith, and shallow faith which fears science.
And so we would remind those whose faith excludes science, that faith in God is not the enemy to experience, reason or even doubt.
And we would suggest to those who discount faith—because it is not a perfect knowledge of things, but a hope in things unseen—that science itself is not certain; for during man’s long search for truth, much of that once called scientific fact is now called old superstition.
There are and will be truths which science cannot know, truths pointed towards by the spires of our chapels and temples, truths only attainable by the infinite reach of man’s faith.
1 The Old Testament, Isaiah 1:18
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November 01, 1981
Broadcast Number 2,724