Science isn’t what most people seem to think it is, based upon the elevated authority the word carries in modern argument. Even those more aware of its proper jurisdiction probably wouldn’t connect it with Thomas Didymus, one of the twelve specially chosen disciples of Christ. Yet there is a very clear correlation between the two in the most well-known incident involving the Apostle, and understanding this connection can help clarify the proper role of science and faith in worldview.
The word “science” translates almost directly from Latin to “knowledge” or “knowing,” and has been utilized to denote activities of investigation into the inner workings of the natural world. “Fields” of science serve to break down divisions of these functions for more efficient study, such as biology for the study of life, or cosmology for the study of space. At the foundation of all science, however, is the vital principle of first-hand experience. Popular colloquialism identifies this principle in the trifecta of “observable, testable, and repeatable;” essentially, science is getting your hands on something and experimenting with it, and determining knowledge based upon consistency of experimentation. This process categorizes science as a form of inductive reasoning, in which a collective of evidences is used to demonstrate a probable conclusion.
In John 20:24-25, we are shown an excellent example of the scientific mindset. Thomas the Twin was not initially present for Jesus’s post-Resurrection appearances, and refused to believe the reports of his fellow disciples: “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.” Thomas seemed well aware of the deceitful tendencies of men’s hearts, and may have suspected his brethren of having lost their senses. On the other hand, he may have harbored resentment against Christ for failing to live up to his expectations, dying at the hands of the Romans and Sanhedrin rather than establishing the Messianic kingdom the Jews had been anticipating. Ultimately, we are not told Thomas’s full motivations, and can only speculate.
We of today might understandably sympathize with Thomas’s reservations. Modern culture heavily sways toward prioritization of experience over reasoning, and science has become the standard process for determining all truth. Yet this is to utilize it beyond its functionality; as an inductive process, its jurisdiction is restricted to what can be currently experienced, thus excluding matters beyond literal arm’s reach. Biology is limited to exploring how life works, and the ways in which it is expressed in God’s creation; it cannot demonstrate what life is, or where it comes from. These are matters of definition and history respectively, neither of which are possible to experiment with, falling outside of the scientific trifecta.
Thomas was not left in skepticism. John 20:26-29 chronicles another of Jesus’s visitations to His disciples, this time including the first-century scientist. In a display of omniscience, Christ recounted to Thomas his earlier doubts: “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas understood; his answer to Christ was “My Lord, and my God,” a clear surrender of doubt and commitment to his savior rivaling Peter’s declaration. But Jesus responded with an admonition, saying “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Science is a useful tool for the worship of God, informing us as to the intricacies of His imagination and wisdom. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork (Psalm 19:1), and even these are but a fraction of creation, all of which similarly comes together to testify to El Shaddai! But true understanding must go beyond mere experience, committing to the truth of Christ for the correct interpretation of what we see and hear. Rather than build our lives upon a standard dependent upon a corrupted world, let us fall back on the incorruptible foundation of God, that we may assurance in hope.
Be reliant on faith! TTT