ORG:Science and Scripture, do they agree?

   Modern science has shaped a new earth, or so it seems, and promises
next to transform the heavens. Beyond many of the fondest dreams of the
past, science and technology have changed man's existence physically,
socially and intellectually.

   For some reason, the explosion of scientific knowledge seems to have
blasted God out of the world of learning. Since many university
professors seem reticent to speak of God as an Omnipotent Person, their
students understandably wonder whether the mountains of data
accumulated through scientific and technological advances imply the
irrelevance if not the unreality of God. In the words of Dr. Elmer W.
Engstrom, Chief Executive Officer of the Radio Corporation of America
(RCA), himself largely responsible for the organization and management
of a research and development program that led to practical television
service - "We live in an age when the results of science and
engineering exercise the controlling influence in all walks of life."

   Yet Dr. Engstrom does not stop there. Remarkably enough, while
multitudes of 20th century men and women are tempted to look upon
science as a new god, and on the God of the Bible as outmoded, an
impressive number of scientists - Engstrom among them - insist that it
is science that is forever changing , while the God of creation is the
same "yesterday, today and forever." Says Engstrom: "I accept as real
God's ruling in the affairs of men and in all aspects of His creation,
and I accept the validity of a scientific understanding of material
things and the happenings of nature."

   It is not "the scientists" as such, contrary to a widespread
impression, who are debunking the supernatural; their authority as a
class cannot be invoked against miracle or faith in the deity of Jesus
Christ. While some philosophers - notably, naturalists in the free
world as well as the dialectical materialist in the Communist world
contend that the scientific way of knowing disproves and discredits a
supernatural faith, some of the leading men of science have stepped
forward to expose the impropriety of such claims.

   "Modern science has made wonderful changes in our lives", comments
Dr. James H. Shaw, associate professor of Biological chemistry at the
Harvard School of Dental Medicine, "But no standard for morals, no
universal concern for one's neighbor, no satisfaction for the yearning
human heart can spring from any amoral, impersonal body of knowledge.
Science has no answer to man's dilemma."

   "For me, " Shaw continues, "the answer is a personal relationship
with God freely given by Him in response to faith in and commitment to
the claims of Jesus Christ."

   Have science and technology solved man's basic problems: The quest
for ultimate truth by which to live and die, the problems of moral and
intellectual corruption, of crime, war, and suffering? So asks Dr. Bodo
Volkman, professor of mathematics at the Institute of Technology in
Stuttgart, Germany. His reply was very pointed: "It is evident that
mere scientific knowledge, however valuable, can never accomplish this.
Nor do I think that religious efforts will suffice." It takes, he says,
"something different from just adhering to some ethical principles or
believing in some anthropocentric god. Rather I do believe in the God
of the Bible as a Person, and faith in Him to me means commitment to
Jesus as the Christ. Actual communication with Him changes man's life
from within; it is here that the answer is waiting."

   What then of the widely trumpeted conflict between science and
religion, and the bold claim of Anglo-Saxon naturalists and communist
atheists that belief in the supernatural is akin to faith in the pagan
myths? This is not only an exaggeration and over simplification - it is
a patent falsehood, and some scientists are saying so today with a
directness that contrasts with the timidity even of some theologians.

   British scientist Malcom Dixon, who is a reader in enzyme
biochemistry at Cambridge University, from which he holds both PH.D.
and Sc.D. degrees, thinks the time long overdue to "dispel the harmful
idea that science is anti-Christian." He declares: "For over forty
years I have been engaged in scientific research and teaching at the
advanced level in Cambridge University, and I have found no reason to
think that there is any incompatibility between science and
Christianity. Many of the greatest scientists have been Christian
believers, and I should judge that there is now in this country about
the same proportion of such believers among scientist as among non-
scientist."

   Not the incredulity of the man of sound religious faith so much as
the naivete of the naturalistic mentality established the 'great
divide' between Christian belief and unbelief, emphasizes Dr. John A.
McIntyre, professor of Physics at Texas A & M University. In Professor
McIntyre's words: "The most distinctive characteristic of our times is
the sophisticated knowledge of people in scientific and technical
matters and the simultaneous ignorance and naivete concerning religious
things. The general opinion seems to be that science has replaced
religion as the source of answers for human questions, so that
religious ignorance is to be encouraged. Yet, how can science explain
the terrible wars and persecutions of this century among the civilized
nations, the lostness and boredom spreading rapidly through our
materialistically affluent society, and the recent disintegration of
the American family?" He continues: "As a scientist who discovered the
Christian messages as an adult, I can testify to the profundity and
appeal of the Christian explanation of these facts: that man is
completely estranged from God and that life is empty and incomplete
until he returns to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Further, I know
of no scientific facts which contradict this view."

   Against naturalistic and materialistic theories of consciousness,
Professor Thorson, of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, says: "As
a man who works in science, I do not find Christianity in any sense
outmoded. On the contrary, my experience is that a personal
relationship to Jesus Christ as God incarnate in man, a relationship of
trust and love, is both possible in and relevant to daily life."

   The case for the reality of the supernatural and for the enduring
relevance of the Christian religion is not supported only by "Western"
scientists from Europe and America. In Africa and Asia as well, some
leaders in scientific interest are speaking about the decisive
importance of spiritual and moral priorities.

   An Indian scientist, Professor H. Enock, retired department head of
zoology at the University of Madras in south India states: "After more
than 30 years of teaching I have had no occasion to change my view of
the spiritual realm or of the mission of Jesus Christ. I have come to
the settled conviction that no established fact of science contradicts
the Bible."

   Dr Philip Saber Saif, Egyptian researcher in the Ministry of
Education in Cairo, pinpoints the crucial decision facing contemporary
man this way: "In this age, when nuclear experiments threaten the world
with final destruction, the only hope for humanity lies in
Christianity. Our Bible does not teach scientific theory, but
theological and eternal truths. God who created man has also created
science. I believe that no man of science has a proper reason for not
becoming a Christian on the grounds of his science." He further stated:
"As Jesus refused to pursue the young man (Matthew 19:16-22) and make
other terms, so today the Gospel terms cannot be lessened, cheapened or
altered. Therefore, if a scientist comes to God he must come the same
way as any other man. He must repent, confess his sin to God, and
believe in Jesus Christ with all of his heart."

   Efforts to flippantly sweep aside the Bible and the claims of Christ
are not valid in the light of testimony of many prominent men of
science. It now becomes a matter for the individual to seriously
consider the claims of Christianity.

   The Bible declares that, "The world by wisdom knew not God" (I
Corinthians 1:21). It also tells us: "the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom." (Psalms 111:10)

   "Thus sayeth the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man
glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercises loving
kindness, judgment and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things
I delight, sayeth the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:23,24)

   We will be in prayer that you will come to the KNOWLEDGE that Jesus
Christ IS the ONLY way to peace of soul, and to salvation from ETERNAL
condemnation. Pray a prayer like this one, if you now know that you
NEED Jesus as YOUR Savior and you now accept His death as payment for
YOUR sins. Pray something like this...

   Lord Jesus come into my life. I acknowledge that I am living in a
manner against God, a sinner in need of your salvation. I know that you
died for my sins, and I now ask you into my heart. Lord Jesus take my
life and do what YOU will with it that it may glorify you. I repent of
my sins, and come to you now. Thank you Jesus, for your promise that
"If any man confess me before man - him will I confess before my
Father."

   Computers for Christ - San Jose
