INTRODUCTION:
The English word ‘Science’ comes from Latin word ‘Scientia’ which originally meant knowledge and learning but in this age science has been defined as the systematic study of the structure and behavior of physical and natural world through observation, experimentation and testing of theories against the evidence obtained. A Scientist is a curious person who does not take anything for granted. His mind is full of questions such as how, what, why and where in attempt to understand the universe and exploit it.
If a Christian is curious about creation (his physical environment) and God’s reasons for creating what He created, the obvious place to start is by studying the Book of Genesis. Whether or not one interprets Genesis as metaphor, myth, or history, one big truth arises from this account – ALL is creation. That is the Earth, and the bird and every bit of all creation as the stars and the sun.
One of the strangest paradox in the history of Science is that a theory so barren of scientific proof as evolution could be so universally accepted as scientific fact. Science is knowledge and the essence of scientific method is experimentation and observation. Since it is impossible to make observations or experiments on the origin of the universe, the earth, life or the origin of any kind of basic organisms, the very definition of science ought to preclude use of the term when talking about evolution.
Some Scientists have made several attempts to discredit the Bible in the past and therefore, we need to see further reasons it became necessary for a Theologian to be scientifically updated.
i) Scientific knowledge helps in Bible apologetics. In the 21st century God has opened door for knowledge and many true Scientists, Philosophers, Atheists and other classes of intellectuals are coming to embrace the gospel. It becomes necessary that the Pastor should not be completely ignorant of certain scientific truths. We must be able to meet every class of individual with the gospel. Peter, an apostle said, “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, being always ready for a defense to everyone who asks you an account concerning the hope which is in you” (1Peter 3:15).
ii) The Bible said that in the last days knowledge will increase (Dan 12:4). Knowledge of science has made it possible to interpret the Bible scientifically accurate. For example in Genesis 1:1-2 we can see the foundation of science; mass and energy, time and space. One common and very harmful misconception about the Bible by scientist (especially the skeptics and unbelievers) is that the Bible is an outdated religious book, filled with scientific fallacies and mistakes reflecting the naïve cosmology of the primitive tribes of the Near East. Another dangerous misconception about the Bible, is that the Bible is a true book of religion and not science and therefore where it touches matters of objective science and history, it must be interpreted spiritually or allegorically rather than literally.
iii) Scientific knowledge in a theological school helps to search out the hidden truths in the word of God. For example, Paul told Timothy and Titus that a bishop should not be given to wine (alcoholic wine) as seen in 1Tim. 3:3 and Titus 1:7. But in 1Tim. 5:23, the same Paul told Timothy to take a little wine because of his stomach upset. Many Christians have interpreted this Scripture to mean that alcoholic beverages could be consumed to stop stomach upset. It is important to state here that the human body is first of all an alcohol factory capable of converting all carbohydrate based food to the alcohol level needed for normal body processes.
The wine recommended by Paul was Vinegar which is non alcoholic (also called Acetic Acid) has the capacity to alleviate pains. This was offered to Jesus (Matt. 27:34; Luke 23:36; John 19:29-30). Jesus rejected it, not because it was alcoholic but because it was mixed with gall (an extremely bitter liquid from the liver) and he chose to bear the whole pain of crucifixion.
It is important also to state here that wines are made by allowing grapes juice to ferment. The level of fermentation and processing of this fermented grape juice will give you various grades of alcoholic wine and other strong alcoholic beverages. The same grape juice is used to produce non alcoholic wine.
Another good example, the Bible requires man to subdue and replenish the earth only. Attempts by Astronomers and Astronauts to inhabit other Planets such as mercury, Mars and Jupiter have failed, only recently, it was announced that Elon Musk was already spending billions of dollars to make an abode in Mars should the earth be destroyed.
God made provision of liquid water, oxygen and ozone layer on earth to make it habitable. No wonder it is called the zone of life. There is so much, yet to be subdued upon the earth and man wants to move over to the other planets which God never instructed him to inhabit, let’s see how far he can go.
iv) One of the greatest things that science has done for the theologian is that it enabled him to prove the existence and omniscience of God as the Almighty Law Giver. The whole universe operates with certain physical laws including the law of universal gravitation discovered by Scientists. This law made it possible for the Earth to hang on nothing. It becomes very obvious that the presence of physical laws imply an Almighty Law Giver and an orderly created and controlled universe is by God and not by the so called “Big bang Theory” of Evolution.
The Big Bang is a Godless theory. It comes from the womb of antagonistic atheism to the very thought of the Being of God. If the universe started with a Big Bang, there is no hope, there is no gospel, there is no eternal life, there is nothing. The Bible is cheat. Christ is an impostor and God does not exist. But there is God. The Bible is true, though burned but it has survived attacks, though buried, has had innumerable resurrections, the old Book still stands.
v) The early days of Pentecostalism in this part of the world was filled with a high level of ignorance and carry over from superstitious beliefs of the past. A lot of things which were not easily understood by their level of exposure and knowledge were attributed to malignant demons and angry gods. Pastors were busy casting out demons of malaria, dysentery, Typhoid, etc. Now we know better. Our lifestyle could become major challenge to our health. Dirty environment could be a source of major epidemics. Bad feeding and lack of exercise could hamper your health as well.
In conclusion, it is important to understand that true science is never against the Bible. The Christian world view played an important role in the birth of modern science. This is not to say that Christianity “caused” science or that Christianity was sufficient cause for the birth of science. We are saying that Christianity was necessary for the birth of modern science. The founders of modern science were all bunched in a particular geographical location dominated by Judeo-Christian world view. The list is so long.
Many of the founders of modern science were interested in Theology, Pascal (major contributor to probability studies and hydrostatics), Mendel (Father of Genetics) was a monk, Isaac Newton (Discoverer of Laws of Universal Gravitation) said he was more interested in theology than science. Robert Boyle (Father of modern Chemistry) wrote on Christian apologetics and many others
Modern preachers are encouraged therefore, to embrace the study of science in order to have a wider reach. SHALOM!
