lunamoth
Episcopalian
I grapple with the relationship between science and religion quite a bit (guess I don't have enough other things to occupy my mind
). Up until recently if I were to diagram the relationship between these two systems I would have probably described two non-intersecting circles, each representing a wholly different, separate way of learning about God's universe and the potential of humans. Religion, I would have said, is to help us develop spiritually, while science helps us develop materially (and humans are both spiritual and material, at least for the time being). But, because my personal experinece has been to see God in science (in the wonder of His creation), I guess would also say that science can help us develop spiritually. Finally, along this vein, I agree with Einstein's quip that science without religion is blind and religion without science is lame.
I guess I tend to be a very concrete thinker and like to put ideas into neat boxes, but the above just doesn't capture the high degree of interaction and synergy I feel exists between science and "spirituality." I missed it, but apparently one script line in the (really really bad) miniseries Revelations was the scientist saying "there's room for God in Science." I think that this is what we are trying to do when we attempt to explain Biblical miracles like Noah's Ark. I guess we don't want a God Who doesn't play by His own rules, but doesn't it also tend to limit God?
However, another way of looking at things was recently pointed out to me.
The concept is that science is a subpart of theology. Note that I'm now using the term theology, rather than religion. The diagram is now the large circle of theology with science as a circle within. I find this idea fascinating. I think it really nails how I look at science as a way of appreciating and developing our physical world, which is God's creation. And, it also puts other parts of theology, those that fall in the realm of the mystical or supernatural, outside and encompassing the natural world. The More.
I put this in the Christianity Forum but I welcome views from anyone on this topic. So what do you think, science as theology?
lunamoth
I guess I tend to be a very concrete thinker and like to put ideas into neat boxes, but the above just doesn't capture the high degree of interaction and synergy I feel exists between science and "spirituality." I missed it, but apparently one script line in the (really really bad) miniseries Revelations was the scientist saying "there's room for God in Science." I think that this is what we are trying to do when we attempt to explain Biblical miracles like Noah's Ark. I guess we don't want a God Who doesn't play by His own rules, but doesn't it also tend to limit God?
However, another way of looking at things was recently pointed out to me.
The concept is that science is a subpart of theology. Note that I'm now using the term theology, rather than religion. The diagram is now the large circle of theology with science as a circle within. I find this idea fascinating. I think it really nails how I look at science as a way of appreciating and developing our physical world, which is God's creation. And, it also puts other parts of theology, those that fall in the realm of the mystical or supernatural, outside and encompassing the natural world. The More.
I put this in the Christianity Forum but I welcome views from anyone on this topic. So what do you think, science as theology?
lunamoth