Pharos Journal of Theology (Feb 2020)
Religion and science: A short history of the existing skirmish and implications for Christianity today
Abstract
Science and Religion are two separate entities that deal with the study of knowledge applying different methods. Science as a discipline sprang up among theologians and philosophers especially those who are Christians. This is evident in that, the earliest known scientists were devoted Christians (Newton, Galileo, Darwin and others). In spite of the existing relationship between these two disciplines, there has been a serious controversy ranging from evolutioncreation conversation to planetary movement, structure of the earth and other areas in which both disciplines have overlapped each other. This paper briefly traces the long skirmish between religion and science to scientific inventions and the development of scientific knowledge. There has been a momentous effort among scientists and religious leaders to harmonize religion and science. Although, these efforts have proved abortive because of the nature of religion and science. Science relies on proof or evidence of facts while religion depends on faith and belief. The unquestionable aspects of religion have been questioned by science objectively with the aid of modern critical tools. Besides, religion have also espoused ato some extent the modern critical tools introduced by science for hermeneutical purpose. Nevertheless, the focus of this paper was to exhume the existing skirmish between religion (Christianity) and science with the aim to pinpointing the areas where both coincided. Thus, this paper concluded that while religion is pointing to God, science is taking us back to God.
