David A. Fraser - Sociology Through the Eyes of Faith

T here is only one truth. It belongs exclusively neither to science nor to Christian faith. Nor do humans have a neat map with science in one corner of their intellectual world and religious faith at a different zip code. For better or worse, faith and science intertwine in actual practice.

As the authors of this book, we are writing from within a Christian worldview. Our conviction is that the relations between faith and sociology can be quite positive. We believe the Christian worldview provides motivations and resources that lead to energetic and careful work in sociological arenas.

The early history of sociology contains many surprises for those who think that sociologys roots are purely secular. Several of the earliest founders of empirical and theoretical sociological work were people motivated by their Christian faith. For the most part, their stories have not been told by later secular sociologists. There are many reasons for this. We will examine a few of them in this book. There is, however, widespread agreement that the Christian tradition was the soil from which modern Western science sprang and flourished.

Many early scientists, particularly those who studied the physical world, were Christians. They studied the universe as Gods rational and contingent creation, seeking in its mysteries parables of the wisdom and power of God. They believed that their studies would unravel truths about God and the creation. They felt that what they learned would help make a better world, more in line with what God wanted. Many contemporary scientists continue to practice science as an expression of their Christian faith.

Modern sociology emerged with the modern industrial world in Western Europe and North America. Part of its originating impulse came from Christians who wished to understand the social world. These early thinkers felt that the systematic study of society could help create a better world for people. They wanted society to conform to the norms of the Kingdom of God. They sought knowledge that would help humans achieve higher levels of justice and righteousness in society. Around them the old social world was melting down in the fiery heat of modernity. It needed rebuilding. They hoped for a better society, not just a society with better machines.