CAUGHT BETWEEN SCIENCE AND FAITH by Giuseppe Guarino
Can Science and Faith coexist in the mind of the twenty-first century Christian? The author of this book is a man of faith, but also a science fan. He enthusiastically shares with the readers his personal, fascinating journey into trying to make both the two alleged opposite branches of human knowledge, faith and science, live in his mind and heart. The results of his thoughts are quite edifying – as far as faith is concerned – and interesting – from a scientific point of view.
Since the Universe is ruled by unbreakable Laws, two views are possible.
- There is no God and it is simply a cage
- There is a God, and it is a giant play-ground!
I advocate the second view and enjoy it!
From the book
CHAPTER TWO
The rules that cannot be broken
“The universe is governed by a set of rational laws that we can discover and understand.”, Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time, xi.
These rules are there, and – that’s it?
They simply are. No-one created them? Is there no greater mind behind them, no design? Is there no reason why things are the way they are?
Is our universe a giant cage, ruled by self-made unbreakable laws?
Can we be satisfied with just learning about those laws, or can we hope to understand the reason or reasons why things are the way they are?
Such beauty, such perfection can’t be meaningless.
If the world was not created and if there is no God, why do we all feel this need to find the answers to so many “why’s” which are inevitable when the world is observed and its majesty considered?
If the whole universe obeys to the so called “natural laws”, then why was it necessary to have this other law too? Why can’t we simply be, just be; like a planet, a star, a cat or a dog? In the end, are we not made all of the same matter, atoms and molecules? Are we not basically subject to the same rules and limitations?
Gravity is necessary. A cat eating a dog – no, sorry, it’s the dog eating the cat… Well, dogs don’t eat cats anymore, maybe soon they will ally against humans. Anyway, putting aside jokes, the balance of the planet is important to the least of the rings of this immense chain that keeps our world inhabited.
The sun is at a perfect distance from the earth.
The earth describes an elliptical orbit around the sun and it could not be otherwise.
All of these things are necessary, not even one is expendable. They cannot be there by chance. We feel it. We cannot explain with words, because it is spiritual. It is a perception that goes beyond the physical. But, it is a fact. Like it is necessary and unchangeable that the moon show only one face to our planet, at the same time it is inevitable that we keep wondering why about the mysteries of the cosmos.
Does my ideas make any sense at all? If they do, they open a door. A door to an invisible universe, parallel to the visible, co-existing with it.
Love is as strong as gravity, this can’t be denied. It is beyond any natural, scientific, explanation. It is not governed by any understandable law. Yet, we all are, sooner or later, interested in its irresistible attraction.
Contemplation of beauty is as real as the perfect moving of planets and stars.
Since no law in the universe is apparently without a specific purpose, if I feel the need to understand – and not only observe – it must be because there is a reason why the world exists and we can hope to investigate the matter successfully.
If we simply stop at discovering the laws of the universe, we have only used half of our potential and only partially fulfilled our inclinations and purpose. If we did so it would be as if the sun refused to shine for six months a year – it would be a disaster. Also the moon, which it may decide to simply move a bit closer or farther, it would have catastrophic consequences.
So, if we, as human beings, avoid asking ourselves all the “why’s” which our condition as human beings demands that we do in order to function fully and fulfill our purpose, why do we expect no worse consequences? Can’t we see we are witnessing this today?
Today’s technology and progress are wonderful. Then, why are we destroying the planet? Why this need to destroy ourselves? Is this not evidence of a deep, rooted feeling of discontentment or even hate for ourselves
The answer is simple: because we focus on the “how” and discard the need to understand the “why”.
Today an entire generation is becoming more and more dysfunctional from a spiritual point of view. Not because they are not told the meaning and purpose in life, but because from young age they are taught nihilism in a systematic way and implicitly told that life has no meaning.
If we consider the laws ruling the universe for what they are, if we consider that they cannot be broken, then the universe and our planet become only a cage. Big, beautiful; yet a cage anyway.
But.
If we consider the “why” and the “why’s”, if we find the source and the meaning of it all, if we discover that all has and is with a purpose, then the cage turns into a playground.
I have my own right to look for the reasons why the world exists. I do have my own ideas, theories and thoughts. And as a scientist investigates the physical, being a religious man I feel the need to investigate the spiritual.
Yes, there are Laws in the universe. They are there with a purpose: they are there for us! They are there to show us that God loves us. He set the universe in motion and He preserves it.
When I take my kids to the park I do because I want them to have a good time and enjoy contact with nature, fresh air and a more traditional way of playing. I give them rules to follow, even before getting there, and I supervise them as they play. The reason is because I want them to have fun but not to get hurt – or hurt someone – by taking risks or misbehaving. Laws, rules and regulations are not sadism, but a result of care and love.
I believe God created the universe, he set all in motion according to specific rules so that we may live it and enjoy it. He is both the cause and the purpose of it all.
There is an expression in the New Testament which is incredibly powerful, full of meaning and implications.
It speaks of Jesus, the Son of God made man, as upholding (or sustaining) all things by the word of His power. (Hebrews 1:3).
We are safe, love was the reason because the universe was created and love is the reason why God will not let it be destroyed before His purpose will be fulfilled.