On science and Christianity

In 1633, an infamous trial of the Inquisition concluded with the demand that Galileo Galilei “adjure, curse, and detest” his hypothesis that the earth moves around the sun. Doesn’t Scripture clearly state, “The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved” (1 Chronicles 16:30)?

Reluctantly, Galileo recanted and for his trouble spent the rest of his life under house arrest.

It wasn’t until 1992 that Pope John Paul II formally apologized to close off this argument between faith and science. But by then no one still held to an earth-centred cosmology and the apology was practically meaningless.

That 17th century trial, however, established a pattern of conflict between science and Christianity in both perception and practice.

The inquisition of Galileo was, in fact, far more complex than a simple conflict between science and the church. Neither all churchmen nor all astronomers divided according to the caricaturized fault lines. On some important matters of science, Galileo was wrong and the church’s challenges were right. And, Galileo probably never muttered, “And yet it does move,” as he signed his recantation. But that doesn’t matter; a pattern of conflict was established and we live under its shadow still.

In 1859, Charles Darwin wrote The Origin of Species and proposed that the diversity of life on earth could best be explained by the theory of evolution. Again Christians became embroiled in a bitter debate. Doesn’t Scripture clearly state, “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth”(Exodus 20:11)?

This time there was no mechanism to bring Darwin to trial so the heresy debates raged from pulpits, in lecture halls, and in print. The rhetoric continues nearly a century and a half later.

But this battle is no shadow. It follows millions of Christian children into their science classes every day.

As in Galileo’s trial, the real battle lines aren’t as clear as the antagonists would like us to believe. Not every scientist sees evolution as the final victory over faith in God and not every Christian thinker sees evolution as anti-biblical. Does authentic faith in God and respect for the Bible really hang on the question of whether the day of Genesis 1 is 24 hours long? But the antagonists have drawn their battles lines here, and antagonistic is how we are expected to act.

For many otherwise thoughtful Christians the idea of evolution evokes the same response as a bitter family feud: the emotions are powerful even when the reasons for the original conflict are long lost. For most Christians it’s easier just to stand clear of this type of bitterness and say nothing. The charge of heresy, after all, is serious.

But that’s not always the right course and from time to time sober-minded Christians need to step back and examine the foundations of this conflict again. Is this really a battle we should be fighting or have we, like the inquisitor of Galileo’s day chosen the wrong issue on which to stake our orthodoxy?

Those who are interested in the question of evolution and Christianity would do well to read a new book entitled The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, written by Francis S. Collins, former head of the Human Genome Project. There are scores of books on all sides of this topic but Collins brings some essential qualities to this debate that make his book stand out.

First, he approaches Scripture with a hermeneutic an average reader can grasp. His interpretation of Genesis doesn’t rest on modern demythologizing but relies on C.S. Lewis and Augustine.

Second, he isn’t confrontational. Collins has faced the wrath of both camps in this polarized debate. At a gathering of Christian physicians, he suggested evolution “might have been God’s elegant plan for creating humankind.”

“The warmth left the room,” he re-counts. “So did some of my attendees, literally walking out, shaking their heads in dismay.” The gracious spirit with which Collins engages those who disagree with him is a testimony in itself.

Last, Collins is a real expert in the matters of evolution, science, and Christian faith. Not every reader will want, or be able, to follow every detail of his arguments but the debate around faith and evolution is dominated by self-declared experts with sweeping pronouncements and claims.

The least that those who have taken strong positions against evolution must do is read an articulate Christian scientist’s careful response. Few of us can do more than follow the flow of consensus but occasionally a thinker helps us test long-standing assumptions.

This book is such an opportunity.

James Toews is pastor at Neighbourhood Church, Nanaimo, B.C.