Vern S. Poythress - Redeeming Science

Poythress shows how a proper understanding of biblical theology makes possible not just one but many credible harmonizations of biblical and scientific truth. Along the way, he provides an insightful defense of the theory of intelligent design as a viable scientific research program. His examination of the mathematical beauty inherent in the universe gives yet another compelling reason to acknowledge the wisdom and design that lie behind physical reality.

STEPHEN C. MEYER, Director, Center for Science and Culture
Discovery Institute

With doctorates in both New Testament and mathematics, and with a solid commitment to orthodox Reformed theology, Vern Poythress is uniquely qualified to write on the theology of science. Further, he is one of the most insightful theologians writing today. As you read this book, you will be amazed at the ways in which a biblical perspective illumines the work of science. Poythress deals, of course, with all the traditional science-Bible issues, like the days of Genesis. But he also shows that a biblical worldview is essential to the work of science itself, for scientific law can be nothing other than the law of the God of Scripture. This is by far the most important book you can read on this subject. I recommend it without reservation.

JOHN FRAME, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy,
Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando

In this highly original and remarkably insightful work, Vern Poythress demonstrates just how natural the partnership is between science and Christianity. Using examples from a variety of scientific disciplines, Dr. Poythress gives us a prescription for how science and the Christian faith can interact in a way that mutually benefits both and spurs scientific and theological advance.

FAZALE RANA, Vice President of Science Apologetics,
Reasons To Believe

In the crowded market of theology and science studies this book fills a gap. Not only does it offer a theological perspective rooted in the historic Reformation, but it also attends to strategies of interpretation of Bible texts concerning nature and history that underwrite doctrine but are often left out of the dialogue. The authors approach is nuanced, balanced, and open-minded.

JITSE VAN DER MEER, Professor of Biology and History
and Philosophy of Science, Redeemer University College,
Ancaster, Ontario

Sound theology meets sound science in this book as Vern Poythress shows us how to see the beauty of Gods character revealed in everything that scientists study in the created universe. A fascinating, comprehensive, profound, yet very readable analysis of all branches of modern science from one of the greatest minds in the Christian world today.

WAYNE GRUDEM, Research Professor of Theology and Bible,
Phoenix Seminary, Scottsdale, Arizona

Redeeming Science will be welcomed by every thoughtful Christian. Vern Poythresss analysis of the relationship between science and faith proceeds from an unapologetic, undisguised confession of belief in Christ, through personal testimony, clear-minded evaluation of the nature of science, careful analysis of Scripture, and honest reflection on the present state of this debate. This is a book of creational thelogy and Biblical theology, as well as of apologetics and pastoral instruction. Poythress demonstrates the revelational character of the world around us, especially in his claim that the laws of science are nothing more than descriptions of the sovereign working of an all-wise and all-powerful God. He exposes the unexamined assumptions of the modern scientific enterprise, showing that it, like every worldview, is, at its base, religious in nature. He provides careful and thoughtful exegesis of relevant texts of Scripture, especially Genesis 19, demonstrating that Christians can think rationally about the scientific enterprise without compromising their most cherished Biblical convictions. Above all, Poythress points readers beyond the details and doldrums of the debate concerning science and faith to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the consummation of both redemption and science. Christians committed to pursuing the Great Commission and the cultural mandate will find Redeeming Science a most useful resource for their endeavors.

T. M. MOORE, Pastor of Teaching Ministries,
Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, Tennessee;
Author, Consider the Lilies: A Plea for Creational Theology

Redeeming Science: A God-Centered Approach

Copyright 2006 by Vern S. Poythress

Published by Crossway Books
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided by USA copyright law.

Cover design: Jon McGrath

Cover photo: Veer

First printing 2006

Printed in the United States of America

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Poythress, Vern S.
Redeeming science : a God-centered approach / Vern S. Poythress.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 13: 978-1-58134-731-9 (tpb) ISBN 10: 1-58134-731-6 (tpb)
1. Religion and science. 2. Bible and science. I. Title.
BL240.3.P695 2006 261.5'5dc22 2006009108
261.5'5dc22

2006009108

ML 15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 06
15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

to my wife
DIANE

C ontents

S cience M ixing w ith P eople

W hen people hear of my love for science and mathematics, some react with enthusiasm, but others with dread. Not me! or I hated math.

Though I classify myself with the enthusiasts, I sympathize with the rest. Somewhere along the way, many of these people started dreading their math or science class, and probably it only got worse with time. They did not understand well what was going on, and they could do the problems only with a hard struggle or not at all. Nothing kills enjoyment like failure.

Of course, it is partly that people differ in aptitude. Some prefer science, others prefer English or history or art. Live and let live.

IMPORTANCE OF THOUGHTFUL RESPONSE

But I believe that this is Gods world, and that science and English and art alike reflect his wisdom. Even if we have little personal aptitude in a particular area, we can grow to appreciate and admire what skilled people do and what they experience.

And today our world experiences the continual impact of science, scientific ideas, and technological fruits of science. Whether we like science or not, we all have to deal with it on a practical level.

But then the question arises, Is this indeed Gods world? Or does it all reduce to matter and energy and motion? And if it is Gods world, how does God relate to science?

I myself am a believer in Jesus Christ. So I must ask myself how Christian belief relates to science. People often think that science is antagonistic to Christian belief. Science, it is said, shows that the universe is billions of years old, while the Bible says that it is only thousands of years old. And some people claim science shows that supernatural miracles are impossible.