Science and Jesus (5): All Scientists are Athiests...... Aren’t they?

I hope you have enjoyed the previous articles on Science and Jesus (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4). In today’s article, I would like to examine a notion that has been purported by prominent atheist, Professor Richard Dawkins. Professor Dawkins claims that science and faith (particularly in Jesus) are very much at polar opposites and this is reflected in the beliefs in the scientific community.

I would like to ask the question – are all prominent scientists atheists? Has science destroyed the need for a belief in a creator God, particularly a God that interacts with his creation? It has been suggested that science has advanced to a stage now that exposes the lie of a creator God. Atheists like Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Professor Daniel Dennett (a philosopher and cognitive scientist) have gone so far as to say that faith, in light of science, is poison to culture and the progress of humanity. They have also suggested that the only logical and rational conclusion, in light of science, is the view of an atheistic worldview – no god!

Ok, with the notion that science points to atheism, with careful examination, we must find all modern day and renowned scientists holding atheistic beliefs, right! I will, enthusiastically, point out that this is most definitely not the case. In actual fact, we find an enormous amount of scientists holding firm beliefs in Jesus as the creator and saviour of the universe. But, with Dawkins and Dennetts claims, how can this be?

The ever growing arrow

I would like to start by saying that I am no expert in science. However, I do hold an unyielding passion to exploring science and thoroughly enjoy reading scientific material and listening to scientific debates. I actually enjoy listening to and reading material from scientists like Richard Dawkins. But I would like to explore what I call “The Arrow of God” (creation points to a creator God). The Apostle Paul states:

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, 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. So they are without excuse (Romans 1:19-20)

Paul, in this passage is explaining that we can all see in the world signs of a creator. We see that there is order, rhythm and language in creation. We see that the world has the finger print of God in it. I have found, through reading texts by prominent scientists, that through a careful study of cosmology, astrology, physics and even biology, science is in fact pointing to a creator God, which is in stark contrast to Dawkins beliefs.

Modern science acknowledges that nothing cannot create something. For example, when we observe a car, we will notice that the car has been designed using various materials and carefully put together to work. We acknowledge that different groups of people worked together to produce a car. Similarly, when we look at our world, we will notice that we live in a vastly complex universe, which came from somewhere. Scientists continue to investigate further into this, but to be honest, the origins of the universe a firmly pointing towards a creator!

Let us return to the original argument, which is examining whether all scientists are atheist. I can list many prominent scientists who hold a faith in Jesus. These would include, Professor John Lennox, Professor Simon Conway-Morris, Professor Denis Alexander and Professor Wilson Poon, to name only a few for sake of brevity. However, I would like to focus on two well renowned Professors – Alister McGrath and Francis Collins (for more see Real Scientists Real Faith).

Professor Alister McGrath (D.Phil in Biochemistry, D. Div)

From an early age, Alister McGrath had a passion for science. He was particularly interested in observing the stars and planets through his telescope. McGrath was raised in a strict atheistic family, who strongly emphasised that a belief in God was futile thinking. As a result, McGrath was an atheist. This was confirmed as he studied science at university, where he derived the conclusion that scientists had no need for a God who creates life.

Prior to his doctoral studies at Oxford, McGrath began reading deeply in science and philosophy as a means of developing counter arguments to the inferior belief of God. It was during this time of study where he stumbled upon the argument that science has its limits, in regards to the purpose and meaning of life. This is where McGrath met the God who creates and sustains this universe.

McGrath transformed from a staunch scientific atheist into a firm Christian who loves science by a means of understanding how God’s world works. McGrath hold a doctoral degree in theology and is a prominent Christian theologian.

Dr. Francis Collins (Ph.D in Chemistry and is a qualified physician)

Francis Collins was raised in a non-Christian household. Both his parents held learning in high esteem and his father was a drama professor. Collins interest in science came from his Chemistry teaches in high school and he soon progressed to university, where he studied every chemistry, physics and mathematics course available to him.

Collins, at this point considered himself an agnostic, but soon fell in love with atheism. He keenly participated in debating people of faith, particularly Christians. After completing his Ph.D, he worked in medicine. This is where he met the full force of death and the meaning of life. This experience forced him to question the atheistic worldview he had held onto for so long.

Collins began reading many sacred texts, including the bible. Christianity appealed to him and soon he was consumed by the works of Christian Philosopher, C.S. Lewis. This is where Collins met Jesus. This changed his life. As an enthusiast in genetics, Collins served as the Director of the Human Genome Project. He holds strongly a faith in Jesus Christ. He is also the author of The Language of God.

Conclusion

Lets conclude by saying that there are many great scientists who hold a faith in Jesus. Scripture is emphatic on God as the creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 8:3-4, Psalm 19:1-2, Psalm 33:5-9, Psalm 104:5-9, Isaiah 40:25-26, John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 11:1 to name a few). A Christian faith sits very well within the framework of science. Let me close with:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made (John 1:1-3).