Elyse Sandberg

1 September 2016
Dr. Poelarends
Astronomy 302
Reflections on the Scientific Method

Although methodological naturalism is the prevailing principle for

studying our world today, I do not agree with this method. Methodological

naturalism does not allow scientific discoveries to invoke the existence of a

creator. I agree with Haarsma in that it is ill advised for Christians to study

science in this way due to the numerous misconceptions, such as the idea

that God is absent from every day natural events. Haarsma counters this

idea saying, The biblical view is not that God is absent from events which

we can explain scientifically; rather, natural laws describe how God typically

governs His creation (8). These laws should point us to our creator and

invoke praise and worship in our hearts. However, with a methodological

naturalism approach, these laws instead give explanations that lead people

to justify atheistic beliefs, believing that our universe runs on its own without

the need of a creator. This way of studying science also allows people to

keep science and religion separate, when in reality they were meant to be

unified and working together, each to invoke curiosity about the other.

Haarsma believes that being a Christian inspires him to be a scientist

and study the world that God has created. Being a Christian does nit hinder

him, but instead gives him a foundation and motivation for his studies. He

says, We trust that God is the author of all truth, and the truth is worth

pursuing, even if we cant see right now how all of it unifies (3). The Bible
proclaims that God is sovereign over the earth and all that goes on even

now; the universe today depends on Gods sustaining action. Therefore,

when we study the universe, we are studying the way in which God is

sustaining his creation in a beautiful and magnificent way. As Christians, we

can be confident then when we study creation, for we know that what we

discover will lead us to know more about who God is.

I believe that both scientific knowledge and faith knowledge have

limits while we are living on the earth. We have finite minds that cannot fully

comprehend the ways of our infinite God. We cannot fully comprehend his

creation (scientific knowledge), and we cannot fully comprehend who he is

and how much he loves us (faith knowledge). We are not only unable to fully

comprehend God and creation, but we also make mistakes in our

observations and interpretations. We are very limited, yet God has given us

the ability to understand enough to know him personally. I believe that

science should allow room for supernatural explanations, for some ways of

God cannot be explained by scientific discoveries. God is still active and at

work today, breaking his own laws of science to bring himself glory where he

sees fit. We must be wise in recognizing this, and when necessary, simply

stand in awe of our almighty, infinite Creator.