FAITH AND SCIENCE

It was Labor Day when I first encountered the meat of the long time debate between faith and science specifically drawn from the question between creationism and evolution in a seminar in Max’ Restaurant. Together with Ven and Ate Petals, we explored the provocative ideas of creation science and evolution. Basically, the whole seminar was bias to the creation science so it forced me to explore the other side of the fence to have a wider picture. In my net search, Creation Science is a concept that incorporates science in the creation of the universe as stated in the Bible (e.g. six days creation, Adam and Eve, Noah’s flood) while Evolution grounds its claim to a random and accidental creation of the universe and life.

In my reflection, I think the line of contention is the literal interpretation of the Bible, not in the science itself. The absolute truth of the Bible is it is the Word of God and I believe in that. It is made by God through His creative inspiration to mortal imperfect human writers. Now, even though it has a litany of contradictions, it still holds true to its purpose of revelation and inspiration to His creation. Then this surfaces the problem of literal interpretations. Literally interpreting the Bible word-by-word without considering the context on which it was written and the inspiration it hopes to bring about is blind.

This brings me to a sort of reconciliation within myself about evolution and creation science. A literal interpretation of the Bible may offer a quick answer, but I think God wants us to explore farther and investigate deeper the complexity and greatness of this creation. I don’t posses any PhD in evolutionary science yet anybody understands that life should have started somewhere. Understanding that “somewhere” needs a tool of reason. For me, science is the tool given by God to understand the physical origin of humanity. It reinforces our faith with reason. Ideas derived from the world and of faith comes from one God. The discovery of the cosmos, life forms and other natural mechanisms enriches our knowledge about creation which invites us to admire more the creativity and greatness of our Creator. At the end of the day, the domain of natural science such as knowing the age and way the universe was created can’t fully secure the place of man in the universe. The most fundamental quest we (as the most valued of His creation) should endeavor is discovering the meaning of such origin. I guess the answer lies beyond science.