Can Science and Faith Coexist? Understanding God's Role in Creation

From a message by Jon Alsdorf on November 2, 2025
​In our modern world, many people believe there's an irreconcilable conflict between science and faith. This perceived battle has led some to conclude that you must choose one or the other - you're either a person of science or a person of faith. But is this really true?

What Does the Bible Say About God's Creation?
Romans 1:19-20 tells us that God's "invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made." Paul is saying that when we look around the universe - whether through telescopes into deep space or microscopes at the smallest particles - we can see evidence of God's handiwork.
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Yet not everyone reaches this conclusion. Many push back against faith, claiming it's incompatible with scientific reasoning.

Is Christianity Really Anti-Science?
This objection takes many forms:

• "Isn't Christianity anti-science?"
• "Hasn't science disproven much of what the Bible claims?"
• "Science is based on proven fact while Christianity is based on faith - they're forever at odds"

But these arguments rest on a fundamental misunderstanding of both science and the Christian God.

The God of the Bible vs. Other Gods
The Christian God is fundamentally different from the gods of other pantheons. While other gods were invented to explain natural phenomena we didn't understand (the "god of the gaps"), the God of the Bible is a transcendent Creator who existed before the universe and created everything from outside of it.

He's not just another special god among many - He is the eternal, self-existing being who created all that is because He transcends all that is.

Why All Disciplines Should Point to the Same Truth
Consider the various fields of study: geology, astronomy, psychology, anthropology, history, philosophy, theology, archaeology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. What do they all share? They're all pursuing the same goal - the discovery of truth.
Every single discipline is focused on discerning what is real and understanding how things work. If we're being intellectually honest in our pursuit of any of these fields, we should all be moving in the same direction toward truth.

The Scientific Process and Faith
The scientific method involves observation, research, hypothesis formation, experimentation, analysis, and peer review. This process keeps science self-correcting so we don't cling to false ideas.

Not every science can follow this exact process - history, for example, can't be replicated in a laboratory. Instead, historians analyze available data, weigh credibility of sources, and draw reasonable conclusions based on evidence.

Interestingly, theology and biblical studies face more scrutiny than perhaps any other discipline. There's no science that has had to work harder to prove itself than biblical research.

How the Scientific Revolution Actually Started
Here's a crucial historical fact: the scientific revolution didn't happen in a vacuum. It happened specifically within Christian culture - not in any other culture throughout history.

Sir Isaac Newton: Scientist and Believer
Consider Sir Isaac Newton, often called the greatest scientific mind that ever existed. Newton was a devoted Christian who wrote more about God than about science. He said:
"This most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent being... The supreme God is a being, eternal, infinite, absolutely perfect."

If we could talk to Newton today, he would likely want to spend more time discussing the God of science than science itself.

Three Foundational Beliefs That Launched Scientific Discovery
The Christian culture that birthed the scientific revolution held three key beliefs:

1. The Universe is Good Because God Created It
Genesis tells us that after God created everything, He declared it "very good." This isn't just aesthetically good - the universe works exactly as it should. It's purposefully and meaningfully created by an intelligent designer.

Think about it this way: if you needed to do calculations to send someone to the moon, would you trust a calculator created by random chance over millions of years, or one designed by a brilliant mind? The universe shows evidence of thoughtful, intelligent creation.
2. The Universe is Ordered, Predictable, and Intelligible
The creation account shows God working in careful, orderly fashion - first things first, in a logical sequence. God is a God of order who created an ordered universe.

If we didn't believe the universe was intelligible and could be understood, why would we spend time studying it? The fact that we trust our brains to study and understand the universe suggests we believe both our minds and the universe were designed by intelligence.

3. Human Perception, Intelligence, and Reason are Reliable
Genesis 1:27 tells us humans are created "in the image of God," which gives us the ability to think, reason, and learn. Our senses are reliable because we're made in the image of the One who created everything we're studying.

Scripture encourages the pursuit of knowledge. Proverbs 4:7 says "Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight." Proverbs 18:15 tells us "an intelligent heart acquires knowledge."

All Truth is God's Truth
Since God created everything, all truth is God's truth. When we study any aspect of reality, we're actually learning about God. Whether it's mathematics, physics, biology, or any other field - we're discovering the principles by which God designed and sustains His creation.

How to Discuss Science and Faith with Others
When talking with others about these topics, remember several key principles:

Approach with Humility
First Peter 3:15 tells us to "honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Put most of your weight on that last part - gentleness and respect. Listen more than you talk. Work harder to understand than to be understood.

Remember Science's Limitations
Science can tell us what is, but it cannot tell us what ought to be. Science can't answer questions about morality, beauty, purpose, or meaning. These require a different kind of knowledge that comes through Scripture and relationship with God.

Faith is Not Blind
Faith is not a leap into darkness - it's a journey into the light. God never asks for blind faith. Throughout Scripture, He demonstrates His reality and faithfulness. Christianity is an invitation to "come and see" and "taste that the Lord is good."

Focus on Winning Souls, Not Arguments
Remember that our goal isn't to win debates but to win hearts. As Paul said, "I have become all things to all people that by all means I might save some."

Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to see God's handiwork in the world around you with fresh eyes. Whether you're looking at the intricate design of a flower, the complexity of your own body, or the vastness of the night sky, take time to marvel at the intelligence and creativity of our Creator.

Consider how you might share your sense of wonder about God's creation with someone in your life who struggles with questions about science and faith. Remember to approach any such conversations with humility, gentleness, and respect.

Ask yourself these questions:

• How has studying or observing the natural world increased my appreciation for God?
• When someone challenges my faith with scientific objections, do I respond with gentleness and respect?
• Am I more interested in winning arguments or winning souls?
• How can I better prepare myself to give reasons for my hope while maintaining a humble heart?

The God who created the vast expanse of the universe and the tiniest subatomic particles is the same God who loves you personally and desires a relationship with you. Let that truth fill you with wonder and hope as you navigate conversations about faith and science in our modern world.
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