Evolution

Alison Hull talks with the creators of a new resource about the relationship between science and faith.

‘Science does away with the need for God!’ scream the headlines, Richard Dawkins asserts that there is no room for the idea of God in a rational Universe, and Christians know he is wrong… but quite why is more difficult to explain.

Ruth Bancewicz is a geneticist and a Christian, and during her time working for Christians in Science, she was approached by many people? who came to her asking for material that they could use in their churches to address science-faith issues. So when the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion was started up in Cambridge, she went there to start developing materials for churches that would be accessible for non-scientists. The resulting project, Test of Faith, involved interviewing over twenty top scientists in the UK and the USA, who all happened to be Christians as well. There is a Test of Faith book, a DVD and short course, all full of material.

Ruth Bancewicz

Not that there is one agreed line on science and faith, as Ruth points out. She found a lot of consensus amongst her scientist interviewees and points out that all Christians are ‘creationists’ – ‘because we all believe in a Creator. It is the “how” of creation and some of the finer points of interpretation of the early passages of Genesis that are open for discussion.’ And it was here that she has found a lot of disagreement among Christians, and different groups holding different points of view. Amongst others, there are the Young Earth Creationists, those who believe in Intelligent Design, and the Theistic Evolutionists.

Ruth found it hard to have to look at all points of view, particularly when she was discussing issues with those who hold to Intelligent Design. ‘I came across Intelligent Design (ID) after I finished my PhD, and it was presented to me by some of the leaders in the ID field. They were intelligent people, and sincere Christians. My gut reaction was to dismiss it, but I realised that part of that reaction was just irritation with the language that was being used, and the fact that I didn’t like my subject (genetics) being criticised by people who weren’t of my scientific “tribe”. When I realised that, I decided to do my best to leave that behind and look at ID as objectively as I could, being open to the possibility of these people being right. To let go of that anger and irritation and listen to what was being said with an open mind was humbling and quite painful at times. In the end I decided that the evidence they were putting forward just didn’t stack up scientifically, but I’m glad I went through that process because this was an issue that affected me professionally as well as personally and would come back time and time again.’

In battling to be objective, Ruth found advice from Dr John Stott very helpful. ‘I think most Christians will come across contentious issues that affect them personally and have to learn to discuss them graciously with other Christians. I was reassured when I read John Stott’s The Contemporary Christian, and realised that I had been following his model: “I have myself tried to observe the rule never to engage in theological debate without first listening to the other person, or reading what he or she has written, or preferably both… I am not claiming that this discipline is easy. Far from it. Listening with patient integrity to both sides of an argument can cause acute mental pain. For it involves the interiorising of the debate until one not only grasps but feels the strength of both positions.” If more and more people can see Christians learning new things humbly and with an open mind, then they might be more willing to be open to what might happen to them if God really does exist.’

David Wilkinson interviewed on the DVD

One of those interviewed for the project is David Wilkinson, currently Principal of St John’s College, Durham University, and also lecturer in the Department of Theology and Religion. He believes that the Church has been too afraid of science for too long. ‘Many church leaders and theologians have not valued or affirmed science in the life of the Church. We’ve become defensive about the claims of science because of inadequate theology and teaching about science is a gift from God as part of our task of stewardship of the world, and something that can give us great enjoyment as we use it to “think God’s thoughts after him”.  I think the church can stop being defensive over science by valuing those scientists in its congregations, of which there are many, who have stories and have witness to give on how to hold together science and faith. I am excited by the Test of Faith project because it brings together a number of resources to demonstrate that the church need no longer be afraid of science.  It brings together resources that allow people to pose some of the difficult questions that we all have and it brings together resources which allow scientists who have faith to tell their story.  I think that this project will allow Christians and those who aren’t Christians to explore the deeper questions which fascinate us all and will give Christians confidence in witnessing in a world which is so often dominated by science.’

The Test of Faith project comprises a three part documentary on DVD, a course, a book and a study guide- everything a church needs to tackle these issues, maybe as part of an enquirers course. For further details, go to www.testoffaith.com

Tagged as: Atheism, Books, Creation, Debates, DVD, Evolution

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