In
the days leading up to Christmas I will be posting a series on some of the good
works and wonderful blessings to mankind that are a “side effect” of Jesus’
birth. (See the introductory post here.) This series is inspired by “What if Jesus Had Never Been Born” by the
late Dr. D. James Kennedy.
“Furthermore, many scholars agree
that the scientific revolution that gained great momentum in the seventeenth
century was birthed for the most part by Reformed Christianity… If Christ had
never been born, we would never have had the scientific revolution that came
into being when people began to ‘think God’s thoughts after Him.’” –D. James
Kennedy [1]
While it seems doubtful that man
would not have had a scientific revolution without Christ’s birth, I think Dr.
Kennedy is right on the money when he wrote that without Christ’s birth we
wouldn’t have had the scientific
revolution. The western scientific revolution was indeed largely inspired by ideas born of the Protestant Reformation (which
revitalized a healthy interest in the beauty and importance of God’s works on
earth, emphasized the dominion mandate that teaches people are stewards of
God’s creation, and postulated the teaching of the priesthood of believers).
It is important to note that a vast
number of the more important scientists to advance the scientific revolution
were followers of Christ. This is exactly what we should expect. A scientist who is a follower of
Christ ought to make an excellent scientist, because the Christian worldview
gives a solid base and urgent motivation for good science. Ultimately this is
because it’s the right way to see reality - though there are diverse and
numerous doctrinal reasons for the motivation to study God’s world as well.
Scientist and author Henry Morris
listed what he called “a popular-level introduction” to great scientists who
were Christian. His inclusion criteria for listing a scientist in this work was:
“1) The scientist was a person of real achievement and significance in the
development of science; 2) he was a professing Christian (any denomination) who
believed in the divine authority of the Bible; 3) he believed that the
universe, life, and man were directly and specially created by the transcendent
God of the Bible.” [2] Using these criteria Morris came up
with an initial survey of 101 great scientists motivated by Christ who lived from
1571-1979. These all contributed significant discoveries to science during its
coming-of-age. Looking at that fact alone, nobody can tell me that Jesus’ birth
did not have a profound effect on the development of science.
OK, enough philosophizing… Here are
just a few real scientists motivated by Christ.
- Johannes
Kepler (1571-1630), “the father of
physical astronomy,” spent two years in seminary before becoming a scientist.
He coined the description of science as “thinking God’s thoughts after Him” and
wrote admonishing scientists to remember that their work demonstrates the glory
of God.
- Blaise
Pascal (1623-1662) developed the
barometer, made monumental discoveries in mathematics, founded the fields of
hydrodynamics and hydrostatics, and was a profuse writer of Christian works of
apologetics and philosophy. “Pascal’s Wager” remains to this day a common
feature of philosophical and apologetic discussions (highly shortened: you
don’t have anything to lose if you believe there is no God and are right, but
have everything to lose if you are wrong).
- Robert
Boyle (1627-1691) is considered “the
father of modern chemistry.” Boyle’s Law, relating to the nature of gasses, is
named after him. He was a devoted Christian who contributed money to translate
Bibles, and founded a series of lectures on Christian apologetics with an
endowment from his will.
- Sir
Isaac Newton (1642-1727) was a man whose
scientific discoveries include the law of gravitation and are, very succinctly,
legion. He also produced numerous writings of Biblical studies and defended the
faith against atheism. He wrote once, “We account the
Scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I find more sure marks of
authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatsoever.” [3]
- Carolus Linnaeus (1701-1778), “the father of modern taxonomy,” wrote that his work
was an attempt to sort out God’s creation into the “kinds” described in the
book of Genesis.
- James Parkinson (1755-1824) a major contribution to medical research, for whom
Parkinson’s disease is named after, also contributed to the field of geology.
He used the Genesis idea of a worldwide flood to postulate the theory (new at
the time) that coal came from plants.
- George Stokes
(1820-1899) contributed to several scientific fields of study (most
particularly engineering and fluid dynamics). He wrote openly Christian
references in his works, and was noted for his godliness and humility.
- Gregory Mendel
(1822-1884) pioneered the field of genetics, was a Christian monk, and an
outspoken opponent of Darwinism.
- Louis Pasteur
(1822-1895) postulated the germ theory of disease and invented the vaccine. He
was also committed to Christ, and outspokenly (to the point of being openly
mocked) opposed Darwinism. He is quoted saying: “The more I know, the more does
my faith approach that of the Breton peasant. Could I but know all, I would
have the faith of a Breton peasant woman.” [4]
- Alexander McAlister (1844-1919) made important contributions to zoology and
physiology. He once wrote, “I think the widespread impression of the
agnosticism of scientific men is largely due to the attitude taken up by a few
of the great populizers of science, like Tyndall and Huxley. It has been my
experience that the disbelief in the revelation that God has given in the life
and work, death and resurrection of our Savior is more prevalent among what I
may call the camp followers of science than amongst those to whom scientific
work is the business of their lives.” [5]
While these are only a few of many,
you get the idea…
And there you have it! A few more
reasons you should think of the birth of Christ as tidings of great comfort and
joy!
[1] Kennedy, D. James. What if Jesus Had Never Been Born.
Thomas Nelson Publishers. Nashville, TN. 1994. Pp. 91-92
[2] Morris, Henry M.
Men of Science, Men of God. Master Books. Green Forrest, AR. 1988.
[3] Morris p26
[5] Morris p79
It is important to note that a vast
number of the more important scientists to advance the scientific revolution
were followers of Christ. This is exactly what we should expect. A scientist who is a follower of
Christ ought to make an excellent scientist, because the Christian worldview
gives a solid base and urgent motivation for good science. Ultimately this is
because it’s the right way to see reality - though there are diverse and
numerous doctrinal reasons for the motivation to study God’s world as well.