This article was first published in Tabletalk, the Bible study magazine of Ligonier Ministries. Find out more at TabletalkMagazine.co.uk or try it free for three months today at TryTabletalk.co.uk.
Many of those who reject the Christian faith do so because they believe that the Bible contradicts science. But whether there is actual conflict and contradiction depends on how one defines the Bible and science. If the Bible is defined as ‘a book of fairy tales and superstitions’ and science is defined as ‘proven facts’, well then, obviously we are going to have conflict and the two will be incompatible as sources of truth.
If the Bible is understood to be the Word of God and science is understood as a necessarily materialistic methodology that rules out the very possibility of God, then yes, there will be a conflict. I submit, however, that these are not the best starting definitions, and that if we think more carefully about both the Bible and science, we will see that they are not necessarily in conflict.
Revelation
Christians understand God to be the Creator of all things in heaven and earth. Christians also believe that God has revealed certain truths about himself through his created works (Romans 1:20). Theologians speak of this as ‘general revelation’.
