The Bible and Science
Unity not Opposition
by
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WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK
After many years of teaching science in the college and university setting and after many years of membership in the Christian Church/Churches of Christ of the Restoration Movement, I am very troubled and perplexed over the various mindsets and opinions in the scientific and religious communities regarding the teachings of the Bible and the discoveries of science and the wonders of God’s creation.
It seems that there are three main diametrically opposed groups seemingly at war with each other, thus creating a dilemma for mankind.
The Bible Only Group is made up of those individuals who believe that the creation of the entire universe was done by Jehovah God in six 24-hour days at approximately 4004 BC. This makes the universe a little over 6000 years old. (4004 BC plus 2014 AD = 6018 years) This discipline teaches very plainly that God was responsible for the creation of the universe and all its components. It does not explain in any detail how all of this was accomplished, but it certainly does tell us who did it.
The Science Only Group is made up of those who have studied extensively one or more of the many fields of Science. i. e. biology, geology, paleontology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, astronomy, anthropology, and on and on. Through the scientific discoveries made over the past few centuries, a different point of view has arisen. The members of this group believe that the origin of the universe and all its components came into existence over a much longer period of time i.e. billions of years. Through their observations and discoveries, they have put together a “roadmap” or “flow chart” describing the events occurring in an orderly process. They seem to believe that all matter, life forms, energy, space, and time came into existence without any origin or intervention by a Supreme Being. Most probably do not even believe in the existence of a Supreme Being. It does not tell who did it, but it is telling us how it was done.
The Bible + Science Group is made up of individuals who have studied both the Bible and Science. Members of this group, of which I am a member, believe that the teachings of the Bible and the discoveries of science should not contradict each other since both have the same origin—i.e. God. They believe that many authors were inspired by God to express His thoughts and these authors then wrote the books of Bible. Members of this group also believe that the study and discoveries of Science depict the power, planning, and majesty of God just as the Bible. Since both the Bible and Science have their origins in God, there should be no discrepancies or inconsistencies between them. Just as a Bible student can use one part of the Bible to help understand another part, one should be able to use the Bible to help understand and explain science and use science to help understand and explain the Bible, both of which are true revelations from God to man.
God is not going to lie to or mislead his children. He is always truthful to us whether He is speaking to us through the Bible or through science. If one perceives differences between the Bible and science, both of which are true, then the problem lies in the incorrect interpretation of one or the other of God’s revelations to us, or perhaps some of each. Knowing God is a constantly ongoing process of learning and discovery both in science and in Biblical studies. Neither science nor Biblical learning has all the answers. Is it even possible, much less probable, that we will ever completely know or understand the entire mind of God in this life?
There are differences in the purpose of the Bible and Science, however. The Bible is not a science text and scientific knowledge is not the Bible. The Bible explains God’s plan as to how His people should live to glorify Him, to have our sins forgiven, and be reconciled to Him. God, the creator of Science, has given us the ability to pursue science and discover His almighty power, majesty, and knowledge. This endeavor will make our lives much better if used correctly, or much worse if used incorrectly. For example, medicine has relieved untold death and suffering, while modern weapons of mass destruction have caused immeasurable amounts of death and suffering. Our lives are much more comfortable today with the earthly conveniences made possible through Science.
But, while science does not reveal any plan for our salvation or the proper relationship we should have with the Creator, it certainly does show the power, majesty, and supremacy of God! This aspect alone should help reinforce our faith in Him and hopefully help us realize that He cares for us and has a plan for each of our lives! It is through careful study of both the Bible and science that we can more completely know and understand all of His knowledge and revelations to us.
This concept tells both who created and how it was done.
Some points to ponder:
Is this dilemma part of God’s plan or reflect His wishes for humankind?
What is the cause or origin of these differences in beliefs and opinions?
Should these differences be resolved?
Can these differences be resolved? If they can, how could it be done?
What harm is done if they are not resolved?
Are some of God’s children being misled or confused by these differences?
Will some of God’s children lose their salvation because of this dilemma?
Who will be responsible for the loss of their salvation?
What will be the fate of those who mislead some of “God’s little children”?
As Jesus said:
Matt 18:6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. NIV
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About the Book
The author has been a Christian since his youth. Upon discovering a love for science in grade school, he pursued that interest throughout his entire life. Sadly, he found disagreement and conflict between the “Christian only” and “Science only” viewpoints. Since he was both a Christian and a scientist, he had to resolve in his mind these differences for his own spiritual and scientific well being.
For more than sixty years, he has carefully formulated the words and concepts in this book that he hopes and prays will help others reach an understanding that both the Bible and the discoveries in science are true and reconcilable. God does not lie to us or mislead us. God is responsible for both His Bible and His Creation. Thus, any conflicts we find in the study of these two revelations from God result from our inability to interpret and understand properly either one or the other, or some of each.
To more fully understand God, one must study both God’s words (the Bible) and the scientific discoveries of the “footprints and fingerprints” He left during the creation process that we are now able to find and interpret.
We must correlate His words and His works to more fully understand Him. We must always be aware that our first impressions may not be entirely correct and that we must always continue to compare all our findings and interpretations with each other in an effort to seek and achieve the greater truth.
About the Author
Eddie Dillon Leach, Christian and scientist, has enjoyed leadership roles in Church, college and university teaching, research, and medical product invention, development, and marketing. For over sixty years, he has studied, researched, and formulated in this book what he hopes will help resolve the ancient conflict between science and religion.