The New York Times ran a series of articles on creationism using a question that could lead people to think that one must choose between faith and science. The Times asked, “Why are some people drawn to origin narratives like in Genesis, and others to the scientific story?”
This question is only necessary if one accepts a false comparison between what faith and science are meant to contribute. The narrative of Genesis offers a historical account of how the universe began. But there is no scientific story to explain how the universe came into existence. The Big Bang Theory is used to explain arrangements of matter but it does not necessarily conflict with what we find in Genesis.
Science, as a discipline, cannot offer conclusions about ultimate origins of matter. Science can describe in fascinating detail what is observable within the universe. Science can speak of purposes related to adaptability and survival in the physical world. But is blatantly dishonest to suggest that science has in any way conclusively proven that nothing beyond nature could have any conceivable relevance to what happens in nature.
A scientist cannot test the philosophy that the physical world is a self-contained system of impersonal natural laws without any outside involvement from a God or a Creator. Honest scientists know this — even if they fear the social and academic consequences of admitting it. Students should not be taught that such a view is based on scientific research. When teachers suggest that the science of evolution leads to the philosophy of naturalism, they give students the misleading impression that the science of evolution offers more than it is capable of telling us.
This is a primary error in the propaganda of popular atheists like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris. They suggest (often with an air of patronizing arrogance) that if you choose to believe in God or the soul or immaterial beings; if you desire to believe in transcendent values; intrinsic meaning or mystery; if you believe in the supernatural and the spiritual, you’re on your own. You won’t have science to back you up because science has freed us of these ideas much like adults no longer believe in Santa Clause. But these men should know better than to make such unsubstantiated claims.
Let’s teach our young people to recognize that a professor or author who suggests that science can prescribe truth on these matters has left the discipline of science and turned to philosophy or a form of religion.
And let’s encourage Church leaders not to speak carelessly on matters of science. I’ve heard plenty of religious leaders suggest that evolution is an enemy of God that contradicts the account of creation. This is a careless because it fails to distinguish the actual science of evolution from the philosophy or worldview of evolution.
Church leaders also must be careful not to make the Genesis account say more than it does. The Bible does not require belief in a certain age for the earth and the Church should not make such an issue a test of orthodoxy. Church leaders are sometimes as disrespectful and condescending as atheists. We need Church leaders and Science teachers to exemplify mutual respect as they help their students distinguish the fields of faith and science.
While truth about ultimate origins cannot be resolved in scientific labs, faith offers a different kind of evidence on this important subject. A helpful line from Scripture states that, “every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything” (Hebrews 3:4).
So the science of evolution is not meant to offer a “story” that parallels the biblical account of creation. It’s not that scientists cannot postulate on the subject based on assumptions or patterns. They can do this in the same way that the science of intelligent design postulates origins based on design.
By confusing faith and science, we’ve failed to respect what each one contributes. On the science end, a better question to ask is whether the idea that the material universe is all there is, was, or ever will be is more rational than believing an intelligent being created the world.
Steve Cornell
Wisdomforlife 
Reblogged this on Unapologetics | aint nothing sacred and commented:
I would only add that much hangs on a literal Genesis and a real Adam. But more on that later, of course.
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This is excellent, Steve. Thank you!
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Steve, I came here after your (I assume it was you) comment on Brad Kramer’s article at TDB. I read your article as you suggested, and I must say that from what I know, Evangelicals often confuse faith and science. And they most commonly do it over climate change.
Now I know there are scientists who disagree with the concept of human induced climate change, but quite honestly they are few and far in between. Every single major science organization in this country tell us that man is causing the climate to change in a harmful way, and that we are past the time to do something about it. American Geophysical Union, National Academy of Sciences, American Physical Society, American Meteorological Society….all of them.
And for some reason those of faith seem to jump through hoops to deny it, as if listening to the clear preponderance of the science of climate change is rejecting the Bible. Sadly, I think that is one of the most blatant cases of confusing faith and science.
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