Faith and Science: Hand in Hand in Search of Truth

There is a persistent misconception that faith and science exclude each other. However, this idea does not do justice to the rich history in which both have actually strengthened and inspired one another. Science has never been the enemy of the biblical message; it was often the established religious institutions that resisted new insights, as in the case of Galileo Galilei.

Another telling historical example is the fate of Giordano Bruno. A Dominican friar and early cosmological thinker, Bruno proposed in the late 16th century that the universe was infinite and filled with countless stars, each potentially surrounded by their own planets. Although his ideas would later be supported by modern astronomy, his views were considered too radical at the time. He was condemned by the Roman Inquisition and executed in 1600. While Bruno's fate reflects the dangers of intellectual suppression, his story also reminds us that spiritual curiosity and scientific vision can-and should-coexist. His conviction that creation was far greater and more wondrous than previously imagined was not in opposition to faith, but an expression of awe toward the divine.

A beautiful example of this is the role of Christian monks during the Middle Ages. While much of the knowledge from classical antiquity was at risk of being lost in the West after the fall of the Roman Empire, it was the monasteries that carefully copied and preserved these valuable writings — including the philosophical and natural studies of Aristotle. Although Aristotle was not a scientist in the modern sense, his thinking laid a vital foundation for later science and philosophy in Europe.

A remarkable example of the intertwining of faith and knowledge can be found at the St. Catherine's Monastery in Egypt. This monastery was built around 548 AD and has been continuously inhabited to this day. As such, it is one of the oldest still-active Christian monasteries in the world. It is located at the foot of Mount Sinai, which according to the Bible is the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Within the monastery walls is also the oldest functioning library in the world. The collection of manuscripts, only surpassed in size by that of the Vatican, contains ancient texts of both religious and scientific value. The famous Codex Sinaiticus, one of the oldest nearly complete Bibles, was discovered here. Using modern techniques such as multispectral imaging, even today the monastery is unlocking texts that have been hidden for centuries. It is a powerful example of how faith and science can together contribute to preserving and deepening human knowledge.

This history shows that faith and science can not only coexist, but also enrich one another. Faith offers meaning and purpose, while science enables us to explore the workings of creation more deeply.

Moreover, many of the greatest scientists were deeply religious. Isaac Newton saw his scientific discoveries as a way to understand the order of God's creation. Newton believed that the Bible could authenticate itself better than any other historical record, particularly Moses' account of creation in Genesis 1. In his magnum opus, Principia, which describes his laws of motion and gravity, Newton spoke highly of God:
"This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent Being... This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all... The Supreme God is a Being eternal, infinite, and absolutely perfect. He who thinks half-heartedly will not believe in God; but he who really thinks must believe in God."

Georges Lemaître, a priest and scientist, formulated the Big Bang theory, which closely aligns with the biblical beginning of the universe. Robert Boyle, the founder of Boyle's Law and a major figure in the scientific revolution of the 17th century, was also a Christian.

Science continues to uncover truths long written in the Bible.
While science still cannot prove the existence of a soul, it has revealed remarkable insights that echo biblical themes. For example, scientists have recently discovered that when a human egg is fertilized, it emits what are known as "zinc sparks"- tiny flashes of light. This occurs when calcium levels rise, triggering a rapid release of zinc. The zinc binds to special light-emitting molecules, resulting in a brief, microscopic burst of light.

This striking phenomenon echoes the biblical symbolism of light representing life and divine presence. As written in Genesis: "Let there be light"—the very beginning of creation. And in John 8:12, Jesus says:
"He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

These examples show that faith and science do not have to be opposites; they can complement each other. Science investigates the mechanisms of reality, while faith seeks answers to deeper questions of meaning and purpose. Those who are open to both can experience a richer and more complete understanding of the world and existence.

In a time often ruled by polarization, it is valuable to remember this harmonious interplay. Ultimately, it is not about choosing between science or faith, but about daring to embrace the search for truth in all its facets.

Additional evidence linking biblical accounts and science:

Matthew 27:51 does say:
"At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split..."

Geological Evidence Exists:
A 2012 study published in the International Geology Review by geologist Jefferson Williams, along with colleagues from Germany and Israel, analyzed sediment from the Dead Sea. They identified a seismic event that occurred sometime between 26–36 A.D. The findings support the idea that a real earthquake happened in that timeframe.
Source: Williams, Jefferson B., Markus J. Schwab, and A. Brauer. "An early first-century earthquake in the Dead Sea." International Geology Review, 2012.

Astronomical insight related to the birth of Jesus:

"Jesus was born in June," astronomers claim.
Astronomers have calculated that Christmas should be in June, by charting the appearance of the 'Christmas star' which the Bible says led the three Wise Men to Jesus. They found that a bright star which appeared over Bethlehem 2,000 years ago pinpointed the date of Christ's birth as June 17 rather than December 25.

The researchers claim the 'Christmas star' was most likely a magnificent conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter, which were so close together they would have shone unusually brightly as a single "beacon of light" which appeared suddenly.