Phillip Bishop,
Exercise Physiology,
University of Alabama
[Oct. 8, 2012]
Many of our students fall in love while in Higher Education. Some fall in love with other people; some fall in love with science, art, or some other field.
Love can be risky.
As a scientist, I can understand the infatuation some students have with science; I can see why they fall in love. As an experienced scientist, however, I can’t see why they want to “marry” science,“forsaking all else.”
I love being a scientist, but I find I have to be on guard, because Jesus warned us, “No servant can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other…” (Luke 16:13)
Doing science is a worthy calling. According to Proverbs 25:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” Indeed, scientists have a special access to the truth of Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”However, Romans 1:25 warns that “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator…”
Keeping the Balance
Over the years, I have seen many students struggle with being so in love with science that they forget their long term love of Christ and His Church. Some students are unable to reconcile their new love for science with their Christian upbringing and they choose to abandon their faith.
I have used the following with my students to encourage them to keep the proper balance:
• Love them regardless.
• Connect them with an experienced scientist who is a Christian.
• Gently help them to discover the limitations of science:
– Scientists tend to be very narrow in the scope of their expertise.
– Science, by its own rules, cannot deal with the supernatural or spiritual.
– Scientists can speak with great authority about their own field, but this knowledge does NOT
necessarily inform philosophy or religion.
• Remind them that the BIG questions in life cannot be answered in a laboratory, because they are beyond the scope of science:
– Why are we here?
– What is the purpose of my life?
– What happens when life ends?
– What is good?
• While reminding them that the scientific theory with the most explanatory power rules, I affirm that Christianity and the Bible offer tremendous explanatory power.
• Pray for them.
You may not be a scientist. Your field may have spiritual challenges of its own. But, recognize that when our students fall in love, it can be beneficial… or detrimental.
God put us in a position to help, whether their love is toward science or something else.
“ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
(c)2012 Phil Bishop