MY BLOG POSTS

Am I anti-science? Do I think the Christian faith and science cannot coexist? Do I think all scientists are evil?

I’m getting these questions from readers of the Anomaly trilogy because the antagonist is a scientist (though, if you’ve read Luminary, you know there are good-guy scientists as well). The short answer to those questions is “no.” I have a great deal of respect for science and scientists.

I do, however, have a problem with naturalism. And I respectfully, but wholeheartedly, disagree with people whose worldview is based on naturalism, whose science is based on naturalism.

Merriam-Webster defines naturalism as “a theory denying that an event or object has a supernatural significance; specifically : the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena.”

The current basis for much scientific thought is firmly based in naturalism. These scientists start with the theory that the universe was created at random, from matter that exploded or melted or was carried in on some other type of matter (where did the initial matter come from?? No one seems to have an answer for that). And from there, life developed very slowly over billions of years with no help whatsoever from any kind of Intelligent Designer. All scientific study, all research, all hypotheses with this idea as its basis is classified as “theory” (see the definition above).

But that is not how those ideas are presented. They are presented as fact. And anyone who suggests they aren’t fact is ridiculed by many within the “scientific” community.

I believe the basis for ALL truth is the Bible. So I believe the origin of all life is revealed in Genesis 1 – I believe that God – who is eternal – created this universe and all others. Some may think that is crazy, that it is just “faith” and faith has no business in scientific discussion. But I would argue that naturalism is also faith-based.  Naturalists are believing in an origin they cannot prove, just as they argue we are doing.

The “bad guys” in my books aren’t bad because they are scientists. They are bad because they take naturalism to its logical conclusion – life evolves, the fittest survive, the weak are destroyed, and mankind becomes better as a result. They are simply trying to make the world better. It makes perfect sense, if you really believe what naturalism argues.

But I don’t.

I believe we are all created in the image of a loving, powerful, infinite God. We are surviving not by chance but by divine Choice. I believe the fittest are called to help the weak, not destroy them. I believe Christians must take a stand for the Designer, that we must not allow ourselves to be silenced or marginalized. I believe science is good thing, but naturalism is not. And I believe we need to make sure the former is not confused for the latter.

Emotions can cause all kinds of problems. Especially when those emotions are negative. Negative feelings are often deceptive combinations of fatigue, insecurities, and misunderstandings. But we still have them, still battle them. I don’t think we are ever free from the wars that rage in our minds and hearts. Though we all have different battles, the Enemy’s tactics are the same – bring up old hurts, old angers, past events that we thought we’ve moved beyond but discover bits and pieces of them linger. “Forgive and forget” is possible only for God. Humanity suffers from an abhorrent ability to recall all things negative and, too often, to forget the good.

I know this. Even as a fairly even-tempered person, I have my moments of losing control. Moments of anger or tears or extreme frustration. And I have been around long enough to know those emotions fade. They are replaced by happiness, humor, calm. Emotions are like waves in the ocean, rising and falling, guaranteed to change, but never disappear.

What God reminds me every time I face the emotional waves that threaten to drown me is that I don’t have to go under. I don’t need to let those waves toss me around and beat me up. They can only control me if I give them control. The Psalms teach us that our God is a refuge, an ever-present help in times of trouble. A port in the storm. I can cling to Him when my feelings crash in on me. He doesn’t always lift me out of those waves – Jesus Himself had to suffer through emotions far worse than any I will ever face – but He will provide me with the strength to withstand them. He will help me keep my head above water until the worst of it passes.

Maybe you’re feeling like your drowning right now. First, know you’re not alone. Second, know you don’t have to let those feelings win. Cling to the Rock, seek shelter in His arms. “This, too, shall pass.”