The Bible and Science

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“Faith should never be used as a replacement for thinking…”

That quote should be plastered across the front cover of Thomas Child’s The Bible and Science.  This book requires an intelligent and mature approach to effectively assess the relationship between science and religion.

This is the second entry in Child’s Christian Logic series in which he challenges readers to think through conundrums about apparent conflicts between the physical and spiritual worlds. 

Much of this short book deals with creation and evolution—and how Biblical accounts may seem to clash with scientific facts and theories.  Although Childs’ opinions are obvious—and he builds a strong case to support them—he doesn’t dismiss those who disagree.  In fact, he makes it clear that readers should carefully consider the questions and reach their own conclusions. To that end, he provides potential options with which readers may align.

Childs writes the way he talks.  His style is generally conversational, although occasionally, you’ll sense a cadence that’s common with a public speaker or preacher.  He makes this an easy read so that you concentrate more on the topic rather than flowery prose.

Unfortunately, my copy of the book has an abundance of editing mistakes.   You can work through them readily enough, but they seriously distract from a subject that deserves more careful presentation. 

In short, Childs maintains that religion and science complement each other.  The fundamentals of religion—such as loving and caring for one another—would help ensure humans’ scientific knowledge is applied in beneficial ways.  And the wonders of science continually reinforce the majesty of God. 

In the final analysis, Childs’ message is positive and hopeful.  But it requires a grown-up reflection. 

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Quotes

Over and over and over again we are reminded that God is the one who gave us brains, and God expects us to use them.  Faith should never be used as a replacement for thinking…

Religion needs science, because it is precisely through science that we begin to glimpse the true nature, majesty, and authority of the God we claim to worship.

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