Tag Archives: Earth Day

Why This Christian Thinks the “March for Science” is Not Such a Good Idea

Animals entering Noah’s ark, by Dutch painter Jacob Savery II (photo credit: Getty Images, Bridgeman Art Library). Celebrating God’s Creation is a really good idea. But do we need a “March for Science” to celebrate? Let me share with you my opinion.

While I am at it, another fairly short editorial blog post….

I recently received an email encouraging me, as a Christian, to participate in the “March for Science,” to be held in Washington, D.C., on Earth Day, April 22, 2017, as written about in this Christianity Today magazine article. The email encouraged me to participate “as an act of worship of the One who makes science possible.”

I have mixed thoughts about this. On the one hand, the email rightly affirmed my belief “in Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God for, through, and in whom all things were made, sustained, and held together by His power (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16).”

Classic, historical Christian faith has consistently taught that there are “two books” of God’s revelation. First, we begin with the “book” of Scripture, that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, useful for teaching, rebuking, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). That same Bible also affirms the “book” of nature, as the invisible attributes of God, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. People are without excuse… whether they have access to a Bible or not (Romans 1:20).

As a computer engineer, with a keen interest in science, and a Christian, I have wrestled with the relationship between the Bible and science for years. But the conclusion is clear. The evidence in Scripture and outside of Scripture both point in the same direction. Both the study of the Bible and the study of science act as independent witnesses that to speak to the same truth of God in Christ.

Sadly, we live in an age when many people, including more than a few Christians, are confused about this. In a culture enamored with supposedly “scientific” claims, many make assertions in the name of “science,’ but such “science” has not been sufficiently peer reviewed, nor properly fact checked. As a result, many say we live in a “post truth” culture, where “alternative facts” win out over genuine facts.

I fully support the concept of making more people aware of the value of genuine science, and building communities of people, particularly in our churches, who care about the pursuit of truth found in God’s Creation. However, I am also concerned that a “March for Science” might send the wrong signal. It might suggest that science is yet just another partisan voice in an already too divided, politicized world. Much of the same can be said about the message of the Bible, and how the Gospel has at times been too closely identified with a political movement.

Christians should be known as people who value truth, above all else. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32). Science is a friend of the Gospel, and not an enemy. We do no favors by politicizing either.


The Groaning of Creation in Romans 8:19-23

Christians and the call to care for the earth.

Christians and the call to care for the earth (Image credit: Catholic Web Services)

Earth Day is coming up soon, and Christians who are called to engage the culture are faced with how to respond to the call to care for the earth. But what does the Bible have to say about it?

In what sense does the whole of creation; including plants and animals, cats and dogs, rocks and weather systems, await the complete fulfillment of God’s plan for redemption? The Apostle Paul appears to be addressing this issue in Romans 8:19-23 (ESV):

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

It covers a lot of areas related to environmental concerns, everything from the question of natural evil (why are there earthquakes and hurricanes?), to hot topics like global climate change, to the question of whether or not your pet dog will be in heaven. It is as though Paul is connecting God’s ultimate redemptive plan for humanity; i.e. the revealing of the sons of God, with the full revelation of God’s purpose for the created order. But before that day comes, the creation is subjected to futility. Hence, we will live in a world where the creation groans in frustration as in the pains of childbirth.

I have been working through Romans 8 along with our small group, and the passage just jumps out at me with questions. There is a lot of theology here for the thinking person, so please indulge me to ponder a bit on this blog post. As a little taste, I would like to refer you to part of the “Great Debate” between Young Earth and Old Earth Creationism feature on the John Ankerberg show, highlighted some time ago on Veracity, or you can simply skip the video and read on…


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