The Posture of True Science

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome the Kingdom Perspective.

Science, by its very nature, is reasonably skeptical. It always considers any claim to knowledge with a “can-you-prove-it” attitude. It doesn’t just accept what we know or what a supposed expert says; it wants to verify how we know what we know. It is driven by a posture of skepticism.

But it is a reasonable skepticism. It doesn’t refuse to believe without absolute proof—what is that anyways—but carefully weighs the evidence and settles on the most reasonable conclusion.

To say it another way, this means that good science always seeks understanding. It is for this reason that it works best in a context of relational reasonability—a context where it is able to persuade and is willing to be persuaded. Science operates best in the free exchange of ideas—a framework not of power plays but persuasion. And so, true science doesn’t use “science” as a buzzword to shut down the conversation but rather to open it to reasonable dialogue about the best interpretation of all the data.

Classical Christianity gives us this framework. On the one hand it acknowledges that there is such a thing as truth. We live in an orderly universe created by an orderly God, therefore we can know—through observation and interpretation—certain things about our world. But on the other hand, it tells us that we are limited observers, always discovering new data. Therefore, we are humble in our interpretations and open to the observations of others.

Classical Christianity gives us those foundational building blocks—the proper worldview—for scientific pursuit.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a graceful garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

~ Proverbs 4:7-9 (ESV)