Faith and Science
Presented by Mark Ferns
Believe it or not, I am a card carrying scientist. A
registered geologist duly certified by the state of Oregon. 40 years of experience, sheepskins
on the wall and a bucket load of scientific publications. I am also a church
member and follower of Jesus. And I have no difficulty following both paths. No
difficulty in reconciling science with scripture.
Take today's gospel story.
The picture before us, a sea of people, 5,000 or more.
Stressed out disciples, concerned about being in a deserted place with a large
crowd.. Are the disciples more concerned about the crowd or their own well
being? Are they worried about Jesus being overwhelmed?
Two fish and five loaves of bread to feed the crowds. The
scientist part of me immediately asks:
How could this seemingly impossible story be explained scientifically?
Note, I ask How can the story be explained, not Why. Science can answer only
the How, not the Why
What is Science?
Simply put, Science is a process. A process where I make observations,
collect data, document the data and develop a repeatable test to see if the
observations and data support a theory or hypothesis. Hypothesis being a fancy
word for "Ah Ha, that is how it was done!"
Again How, not Why. Science is a tool that cannot answer
"Why". Those who seek to use Science as a tool to answer Why are
simply using the wrong tool.
Science is the process by which I constantly seek answers to
"How was it done?" In today's world we tend to take things for
granted with a somewhat magical viewpoint of the world. We flip a switch to the
correct position and the light comes on. We poke the smart phone and an app
comes up. We put money in the vending machine and food appears. It is seems
like magic, we are rewarded when we make the right magic move or say the
correct magic word. We do not have to think about the How, we just need the
correct magic word.
Which could be "OFF" or "ON". Without
Science we depend upon the magic word. And when we are reduced to finding the
correct magic word we find ourselves needing to bribe someone to get the magic
word, find the magic wand, learn the magic formula. There are a lot of people
out there that are eager to sell the magic word.
Science is a way to get around the magic word. SCIENCE is
not a magic word. Beware of people selling science as the magic word that will
solve all things.
Science is a process. A tool if you will, not really much
different than a screwdriver or a wrench.
As a scientist I use the scientific method as a tool to
understand how things work. Observe the world around you. Collect data. Data
meaning measurements or observations based on precise definitions. My unit of
weight has to be exactly the same as every one else's unit of weight. The data
that I collect has to be exactly the same as the data collected by some one
else.
Now let us go back to the shores of Galilee.
A needy crowd and limited resources. The scientist in me looks at the story,
trying to break it into pieces that can be tested. "Taking the five loaves
and two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave
them to disciples and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and
were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve
baskets full."
Five loaves, 5,000 people. First as a scientist I have to
determine the size of single loaf of bread. In this case I will probably try to
determine the largest possible size and the smallest possible size that would
have been used at the time. Means that I need to do some research, reading
through Roman texts describing loaf sizes. Then I would calculate the range of
the volume of bread available to each person. I would then give an equivalent
amount of bread to a small group of people to see if they are satisfied. Based
on their answers, I would conclude whether, assuming all other things are
constant, there was enough bread to satisfy every person. Based on my taste
test, my scientific conclusion would be that five loaves cannot feed 5,000
people.
What might I learn from this scientific test? Can I say that
"Science Proves the Story! Five breads are not enough! Miracle
needed!" Well, yes, as long as I understand that Test and Prove mean the
same thing. Better to say Science Tests the Story.
Prove and test are words that should mean the same thing to
a scientist. Some examples: The
exception tests the rule is the same as the exception proves the rule. He
proved himself means the same as he tested himself. The proof that is in the
pudding is found by the taste test.
Misuse of the word "proves" has led to all kinds
of misunderstandings. Science is not a courtroom. Anytime you hear some one use
the words Science Proves, be careful. Science tests, Science is always testing.
And science is never settled, there is always room for improvement in our
understanding of how the world works. Geologic theories that were set in stone
when I was a student have since collapsed of their own weight. And I expect
that some that I am particularly fond of will also collapse as new data is collected.
As a scientist I am always seeking data. I am also always
seeking inspiration and discernment. Thomas behaved in a scientific manner when
he placed his hands on Jesus' wounds. Thomas was looking for hard data and
through the physical proof found inspiration.
A good scientist is always seeking the How? For a geologist
such as Jason McClaughry or myself our tests, our hypothesis are published
geologic maps. Made available for anyone to look at and critique. We use data
and observations to draw lines on a map that show where certain types of rock
are expected to occur. The different types of rocks produce different numbers
when analyzed. Our maps are tested when another person collects a sample from a
place we never got to and analyzes it. If the analysis gives the predicted
number, our mapping theory is supported. If not, time to make adjustments.
Again, there is always room for improvement.
Our geologic maps tell the story of How this part of the
earth is forming. A good scientist has to be a story teller. We make up words
like basalt, rhyolite and icelandite, to share hard to understand concepts.
Often we find ourselves caught up in jargon, communicating among ourselves in
what others hear as magic words. The words are not magic, they are simply part
of a complex story that gradually unfolds before us.
I read the scriptures and listen to those stories with the
same manner as I search for new data and inspiration. Tuesday's lectionary
class is a good example of where new things are found. The stories may be old
but new lessons always emerge. If I am listening, I nearly always depart the
class with some new thoughts and questions.
A good scientist always seeks to find flaws in his own work.
If I have what I think is a good idea, I promptly begin finding a way to test
the idea, trying my hardest to find where the idea breaks down. A good
scientist invites others to search for the flaws through a process called peer
review. And I try not to take it personally when others find flaws. They will
find weaknesses in my work and conclusions. Each time a reviewer covers my work
with red ink, my work gets better. The process is often painful.
It is the same way with scripture. The more I question, the
more I ask, the more that is revealed to me. Some people may find the questions
I ask to be painful. People that are more Faith oriented tend to be
uncomfortable around Thomas's like me. Be patience, be kind, we just cannot
stop ourselves from poking and prodding as we ask How can this be?
A good scientist does not pay much attention to
self-promoted experts on any subject. We cringe when we hear the words
Scientific Authority or Scientific Consensus. Or worse, Everybody Knows… The history of Science is filled with once
popular theories that have failed the test of time. Like Thomas, we have to see
the data for ourselves.
Better to approach Science in the same fashion that Pastor
Katy challenges us when seeking God. Where do we find data? When we answer the
question Where did we see God today? Where do we form our theories? When we
answer the question, Where do we need God today?
Back to the shores of the sea with Jesus and the disciples.
What did I miss when I "tested" the fish and loaves story? "Taking the five loaves and two fish, he
looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to
disciples and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were
filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve
baskets full."
The story does not say that the crowds had only the loaves
and fishes to share and eat. Look at the story in a different light. Tired,
overstressed disciples worrying about being in a deserted place at a late
hour. Looking for any excuse to get
Jesus just to slow down for a minute and give them some time to catch their
breath. They could have just as easily said "Lord, look, we just cannot
take care of this many people at this moment." Jesus replying "Stop
worrying, the crowds can stay. Do not turn them away. You can continue helping
them if you just have faith and try"
Jesus instructs the crowd to sit down and blesses the bread.
The crowd settles and relaxes, the disciples begin to pass the bread. And the
Miracle begins. Some take a piece and pass the rest on. Pieces continue to be
passed and shared. Others might reach into their packs and bring out food that
they in turn pass on to their neighbors. Tensions and fears ease as the crowd
settles into a shared, communal meal in which no one goes hungry. What seemed
impossible becomes reality.
We experience similar miracles in the open-door and back
pack programs. My first reaction when Liz Romvadt first began the programs. The
scientist said: No Way, we don't have the resources. God's challenge, try it
anyway, see what happens. We did, I did and the crowd is comforted and fed. By
testing, proof is found. In the testing, in the proving; faith is confirmed.
Go forth into the world testing the Good News by seeking God
Daily. Share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through your words,
deeds and actions. Collect the data by answering the
question: Where Did I see God Today?
Test and Prove your faith by entrusting God through asking: Where Do I
need God Today?
