More than Religion 4: “Science”
Scripture Reading: Psalm 19: 1 - 4 (NIV)
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
3They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
4Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
Message: More than Religion 4: “Science”
Looking for answers
We are curious beings - we’ve been asking “why?” since we were little…
We are thinking about the things we observe - in nature, in relationships, in life
We ask questions about the things we observer
We persue answers for our questions
We want to have explanations to put our enquiring minds to rest
But the questions just keep on coming, isn’t it?
Sometimes our explanations brings more questions
Sometimes our answers feel right at one point and then later we discover they were’nt right and we find new answers to replace the old ones we thought were right
We go to different places in search of our answers
Universities are in the business of searching for answers - we call it research
Indigenous people will find their answers from the elders
We sometimes also choose to go to wise people in search of our answers
Knowing deep down inside that facts are not enough
We need to find ways to interpret the facts we are presented with
Without realizing it, we are constantly interpreting facts…
Religion and Science clash
Today is the last edition of our series “more than religion”, and the theme is “science”
Science and Religion have been at odds
Google (our favorite device for finding answers…) gave the following answers when I asked it to list the areas where science and religion are at odds:
Evolutionism vs Creationism; Aging of the earth and universe; Medical and reproductive technologies; Supernatural vs Natural (miracles); Consciousness and the Soul (brain and more)
Science is often used as an argument againt religion…
People might say things like, facts and faith don’t go together
Facts prove faith wrong
And so religion and science clash
This clash also enters the political arena, with debates like abortion (pro life vs pro choice)
And with politics being involved people are being pushed apart rather than being I dialouge
It happens when people are set on their answers and refuse to consider other answers
There are many debates going on like this: abortion, MAID, Re-productive technology, Genes technology, space exploration, AI…
And as this clash between science and religion is ongoing, new answers continue to enter conversation…
Just a note - Theology is also considered a science (search for answers)
Spirituality - ok with not having all the answers
In our spiritual practices, we can find an alternative to our interaction with answers
We can allow ourselves to observe the unfolding of answers
We can choose to consider all new answers that come into our sphere of awareness
We can choose to trust in God as the only absolute answer and see all other answers in the light of the God’s answer
And that does not mean we are not asking questions or engaging in seeking to find more answers
We should engage in debates and efforts to find answers and grow our knowledge
But we can also accept that we don’t have all the answers and that we will not have all the answers in this life
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13: 12 - “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
Therefore, through our spirituality, we can put our restless hearts at ease and accept that it is ok not to have all the answers
We don’t have to get upset with the debates between science and religion…
God reveals “knowledge” in relationship
And with that thought, we turn to God to guide us throught this life of questions…
We accept that knowledge is more than facts
Knowing is more than proving or winning a debate
Knowing comes from God - knowledge comes from God
And our God is a God of revelation
God reveals Himself to us in this life
Our answers in this life found in the revelation of God… through science, through theology, through nature, through experiences, through wisdom
Let us adjust our posture in our persuit of answers and seek God as He reveals Himself to us
David reminds us: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.”
AMEN
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