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Can there be meaningful interaction between the realms of science and religion? Many would argue that the two live in different worlds, and encompass completely different worldviews.
In their book Questions of Truth, John Polkinghorne and Nicholas Beale agree that religion may not be a proper partner for science. Theology, however, is, because its "concern is with intellectual reflection on human encounters with the sacred."
Science asks, "How?" Theology asks, "Why?" Yet both are questioning the nature of reality. Polkinghorne and Beale use the image of a boiling kettle to illustrate the concept:
"The kettle is boiling because burning gas heats the water. The kettle is burning because I want to make a cup of tea, and will you have some too? We do not have to choose between these two answers, and, in fact, if we are fully to understand the event of the boiling kettle, we need both."For more insightful responses to questions on God, science, and belief, be sure to check out Polkinghorne and Beale's Questions of Truth.- Questions of Truth, page 8
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Yesterday at our church the pastor had a sermon in which he used 1 Corinthians 2 to teach that we should know Christ only, and him crucified, rather than defending some view of science such as YEC, ID or evolution. I think he has a valid point here, but would need to hear more. I think we need to make our point well, then go on to Christ. Maybe that's akin to this idea of religion and science not mixing well, while theology and science can. I don't know. But food for thought here.
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