It looks like scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) are convinced that they have found the Higgs boson, or ‘God particle,’ in an experiment performed last July. What does this discovery mean? I don’t know. I’m a history major, not a physicist.
But what I’ve gathered so far, is that the Higgs boson would clear up at least a few nebulous areas of particle physics, taking the almost-certain-but-not-certain-enough Standard model out of the “theory” column and into the “proven” column.
Saints Among the Scientists
The discovery—or rather, “confirmation of a discovery—has prompted me to ask a question:
Do we need more pastors or more physicists?
I’m constantly being told that fewer and fewer young people are entering the ministry and that more and more are leaving after only few years. When I’m told this, it’s always in a way that indicates a crisis is on the horizon, and maybe it is. Perhaps we will experience a severe lack of ministers in the coming years, but I think we’re already facing a shortage of ministers elsewhere: in the academy.
There was a time when the leading scientific minds were Christians. Yes, that was a time period when there were very few who deny Christianity and retain their place in society (let along their lives), but I do believe that many of the scientific saints where true believers, which is what might have motivated them to truly explore the science of this world.
As Christians, we often bemoan the supposed war between faith in Christ and the advancement of science and technology. We feel ridiculed, even castigated, for our ancient beliefs in a scientific age. With all love and respect, let me say that we have no one to blame but ourselves. We left the academy; we got out of the game and are now struggling to get back in. Do we need more pastors? Probably, but I would argue that we’ve been in need of more physicist (and geneticists and biologists and so on) for a lot longer.
Science in the Sanctuary
If we want to advance the cause of Christ in the academy, influence of which filters down into mainstream society much more quickly than it did in the “good old days,” then we have got to engage scientists with science. To do this, we need young men and women, convinced that Christ is Lord, entering the academy, experimenting in the lab, and discovering the wonders of His creation.
If we’re truly convinced that Jesus is God, studying science should only confirm for us what we already know by faith. It’s a safe bet…
Why does it seem that so many Christians are afraid to send their students to secular schools to study science? If we’re truly convinced that Jesus is God, studying science should only confirm for us what we already know by faith. It’s a safe bet, if you ask me.
And who knows, maybe an influx of Christians into the academy might lead to an influx of young men and women into the seminary a few years later? Exploring God’s creation in the laboratory can only lead to worship in the sanctuary. Ravi Zacharias tells a great story that I think illustrates this point well, if you will accept a slight paraphrase. (I can’t find the podcast that last presented this story, but Ravi uses it a lot. It’s partially recounted here.)
Ravi had been invited to speak Johns Hopkins University. Before his talk, he heard a presentation from Francis Collins, then head of the Human Genome Project. Near the end of his presentation, Collins showed the audience a picture of a stained class window from Yorkminster Cathedral. Everyone was impressed by the beauty of the design. Next, he displayed a cross-section of human DNA. The audience gasped at the intricate beautify and complexity of the design. To end his talk, Collins picked up a guitar and lead the crowd in a song of praise and worship.
The more that we dive into science the more we will be awed and amazed by the grandeur and detail of God’s design. Our churches need an infusion of science, and the academy needs and infusion of faith.
What can we do about it?
That depends on you and your congregation, but let me say this: if you’re reading this blog, you’re likely involved, to some degree, in the technological applications of your church. Make that a launching pad. Find ways to involve the next generation of church techs as teenagers, get them excited about technology, science, the whole thing. Maybe that will stir within them a desire to seek God with a particle accelerator.
How can we encourage more saints to become scientists?
Or should we concern ourselves with this?
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