“I want to become a scientist but I also want to believe in the Bible” is the dilemma of many bright young students. As a general rule, it is taught today that if you are a scientist then you cannot believe in the Bible. The word of God is attacked at almost every school, college and university around the world under the cover of science. Actually there is no such contradiction between true science and the Christian Faith. Nevertheless it is commonly thought that there are conflicts between science and theology. Francis Bacon rightly observed, “A little science estranges a man from God. A lot of science brings him back.”
Yet if one studies the history of science and reads about those true scientists who invented something worthwhile, one cannot but marvel at the fact that so many of them believed in God or were true Christians. I present here seven great scientists who believed.
Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
Described as “the man who began the process that replaced superstition with reason” for his great work and discovery in the field of astronomy. His three laws of planetary motion set the scene for modern astronomy. He summarized his faith by saying: “I am a Christian”. He acknowledged God as “the kind Creator who brought forth nature out of nothing” His laws of planetary motion were a result of his faith in a God of order and not of chaos. In his book Harmony of the Worlds, published in 1619 to record his third principle of planetary motion, Kepler wrote: “Great is God our Lord, great is His power and there is no end to His wisdom” He was a deeply committed Lutheran and said that he was ‘thinking God’s though after Him.’
Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
He was one of the greatest scientists, responsible for so many discoveries like the Laws of Gravity, Laws of Motion, and Calculus. His contribution to the advancement of science spanned the fields of Physics, mathematics and astronomy. Newton loved God and believed God’s word. He studied the Bible and wrote books about his Bible study. He wrote: “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.” His view as a scientist was put clearly when he said: “Atheism is senseless. When look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amount of heat and light. This did not happen by chance” As Newton investigated the movement of the planets; he saw the hand of God at work. He believed that no sciences were better attested than the religion of the Bible.
Robert Boyle (1627-1691)
He was the pioneer of modern chemistry. He also contributed greatly to the advancement of scientific thinking. Amongst other famous discoveries, his work on the relationship of pressure and volume of gases is still known today as Boyle’s Law. Boyle saw no conflict between science and his Christian faith. He wrote religious books which included a collection of Christian devotions where he described simple observations from nature to illustrate Christian truths. He had a strong faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. He wrote about Christ’s “passion, His death, His resurrection and ascension, and all of those Wonderful works He did during His stay upon earth, in order to confirm mankind in the belief of His being God as well as man”
Michael Faraday (1791-1867)
He was one of the greatest scientists of the 19th century. He was a pioneer in the then unknown field of electricity. He was the first to discover the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction. He was responsible for inventing the electric generator and electric transformer. He also built one of the earliest electric motors. Faraday was a Christian who lived a life filled with God’s power. He remained humble, despite the fact that he had lunch with Queen Victoria, and that members of the royalty attended his lectures. He was an elder at his local church and he frequently preached the gospel. When asked by a reporter about his speculations concerning what happens after death, he answered: “Speculations? I have none. I am resting on certainties. ‘I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day’”
Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)
He established the new science of microbiology and bacteriology. He invented vaccination, immunization and pasteurization which have helped to save the lives of many. He was also responsible for the law of Biogenesis which says that life can only come from life, contradicting the then fashionable evolutionary idea of spontaneous generation. Pasteur did not find any conflict between science and Christianity. He firmly believed that “science brings men nearer to God”. As an outstanding scientist he observed evidence of design rather than chaos. He said: “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator”
James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879)
His electromagnetic theory and its associated field equations paved the way for twentieth century physics. Maxwell was a devoted Christian who studied his Bible and was a church elder with a faith and commitment well known amongst friends and colleagues in scientific circles. A prayer found amongst his notes reads: “Almighty God, Who has created man in Thine own image, and made him a living soul that he might seek after Thee, and have dominion over Thy creatures, teach us to study the works of Thy hands, that we may subdue the earth to our use, and strengthen the reason for Thy service; so to receive Thy blessed word, that we may believe on Him whom Thou has sent, to give us knowledge of salvation and the remission of our sins. All of which we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ, our Lord”
Samuel Morse (1791-1872)
He invented the telegraph and the Morse code named after him. The words of the first official telegraph message ever sent were chosen from the Bible: “What hath God wrought” (Num 23:23). Morse was a Christian who made sure to give the glory to his Lord. He described his life’s work as: “It is His work ... ‘Not unto us; but to thy name, 0 LORD, be all the praise’”. He saw no conflict between science and Christianity.
