Science vs Scientism

Science- Is a systematic method for acquiring knowledge about the natural world through observation and experimentation, focusing on how things work and open to revision


Scientism- Science is the only valid type of knowledge and science can answer all questions: including morality, purpose, and should be the sole guide for society


Francis Bacon- scientific method

Copernicus- heliocentricism

Daniel Farraday- electrolysis and electromagnetism

Isaac Newton- laws of motion, gravity, light spectrum, calculus- non trinitarian, but science was grounded in his faith

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz- calculus and mathematics, rationalism

Robert Boyle- elements Compounds and mixtures

Antione Laviosier- Father of modern chemistry- combustion and respiration

Leonhard Euler- Published more mathematics than any one in mathematical history

James Maxwell- electromagnetic waves, kinetic particles

Gregor Mandel- heredity and traits in genetics

Francis Collins- head of the human genome project, therapy to genetic disorders

Arthur Compton- photons and waves

Bernhard Riemann- transformed geometry, confirmed theory of relativity

Georges Lemaitre- the big bang

Charles townes- the laser, black holes, center of the milky way

Willard Gibbs- statical thermodynamics and mechanics

John Dalton- Atomic Theory, gas pressure

Carl Gauss- physical science, Gauss Law and Law for magnetism

Charles Barkla- atomic numbers and x rays

George Carver- improved americas agriculture economy

Ernest Walton- split the atom and proved e=mc2

Florence Nightingale- statistics, sanitary reform adding 20 years to the life expectancy 1871 1935

JJ Thompson- isotopes and mass spectrometer

Alessandro Volta- electric battery, methane, electromotive series

Blaise Pascal- probability theory, binomial coefficients, hydraulic press, mechanical calculator

William Thomson- Kelvin scale, absolute zero, signal equipment sending the first telegraph

Charles Babbage- Analytical Engine, Turing Complete computer, first general purpose computer

Wener Heisenburg- One of the Primary creators of quantum mechanics

Albrecht von Haller- Father of Modern Physiology

Nicolas Steno- One of the founders of modern geology and stratigraphy

Arthur Eddington- nuclear fusion is stars

John Fleming- vacuum tube, hand rules for electric motors and generators

Samuel Morse- Morse Code

Many, many, many more

This is just science, this does not include any other fields!

Matthew 22:34-40

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

1 Peter 1:13-14

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[b] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

Colossians 3:6-10

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

    1. Do you have any questions or thoughts from this lesson?

    2. What stood out to you most?

    3. What are practical ways that Christians can love God with their minds?

    4. Colossians 2:8 warns against being “taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit.” How do we tell the difference between healthy intellectual pursuit and empty deceit?

    5. What role should Christians play in conversations about science, technology, and ethics in society today?

    6. How would you answer the objection: I cannot be Christian becuase Christians are anti-intelluctual and anti-thinking?


    1. How was your emotional and physical health this week?

    2. What is a serious stressor in your life?

    3. How has your personal time with God been this week?

    4. Would you like to share your personal temptations and how can we help you overcome them?

    5. Is there anything that we need to discuss that we have not already?

    6. How can we pray for each other this week?

    Pray for one another, invite each person to pray even if it is just a few sentences.