The
Q folk have an interesting essay up on their website entitled '
Science and the Evangelical Mission in America' by
Ken Wilson, a pastor in Ann Arbor over in the States.
The essay examines the negative consequences to the spread of the gospel when it is presented outwards from within a Church culture that opposes the discoveries of modern science towards a society that accepts those discoveries. The author suggests (with good reason) that this is the situation with most evangelical churches in America at present. I would also suggest that this is similar to the UK situation although here in the UK it is not necessarily as much of a part of public politics and society as it is in the States.
It is a good essay and very helpful to hear the perspective of an 'everyday' pastor on the issue of science and the Church. Wilson suggests that evangelical churches certainly need to move themselves away from the tacit non-acceptance of science of their recent history and into an acceptance based approach that is more in line with a thorough understanding of the Bible and creation rather than out of a spirit of recent traditionalism.
He suggests 4-levels of engagement at which evangelical Churches might accept those with a positive position towards modern science:
"Level 1: Tolerated Minority
In these churches, people with blue sensibility are met with little direct confrontation regarding their scientific views, yet there is no doubt that they are in the cultural minority. Those who have blue sensibility perspectives on science tend to leave them at home when they come to church. They are part of these churches in spite of their views and they are extremely unlikely to invite any friends with similar views to attend their church.
Level 2: Accepted Minority
The pastoral staff and some key leaders actively support the blue sensibility person’s right to hold their views on scientific matters, even though they may disagree with these views. The church leadership however, clearly and openly views these matters as secondary and not an integral part of the Christian message. They don’t host young earth creation workshops or spread climate-change-is-a-hoax emails. Level 2 churches are able to retain some “already committed Christian science people” (for example the science friendly spouse of a devout believer committed to the church), but these are also unlikely to invite like-minded friends to church.
Level 3: Integrated Minority
In these churches there is open if infrequent vocal acceptance for science friendly views along with ministry opportunities that correspond to these views, such as environmental stewardship or creation care ministries. The pastor and key leaders hold or support science friendly views themselves so that these perspectives are respected in the congregation, even if a majority does not hold them. The culture of such churches represents a significant missional advantage because those with blue sensibility perspectives will more freely invite like-minded friends to church. Over time the church culture may shift to include a majority of blue sensibility people while remaining accepting and friendly toward red sensibility people.
The scale of course, assumes that there is a Level 0 category in which blue views on science are not tolerated at all."
I would add a level 4 category to the list (Level 4: Integrated Majority) where the claims of modern science are taken at face value. We take the step of intentionally supporting and trusting that which science and scientists bring to our consideration. Although aware of the inherent uncertainty in scientific knowledge we balance that with an appreciation of the rigour in which it is arrived at. We enjoy and rejoice in what it offers our understanding of God, creation and our place and responsibilities within it.
(As an aside I would say my own church hovers somewhere between Level 1 and 2, although closer to 2).
I think Wilson may however have an over prioritisation on simply making our churches more comfortable and acceptable to those with different viewpoints at the surface level rather than actually challenging erroneous viewpoints. On the one hand this is a good thing as it would certainly help attract new folk to the church and to Jesus alongside supporting Church unity between new and current believers, but I can't help feel slightly unsettled at this as ultimately unless there is a real difference in the core culture of the church involved this attraction is unlikely to last or to be honestly sustainable.
Although in some non-critical issues (like tithing, fasting, worship style, drums, hats, flower arranging, the pastor's waistcoat, etc) there is certainly room for companionable diversity of opinion, in the areas of science that Wilson discusses what we think really matters. What we think on some issues not only shapes our theologies, but also our thinking and consequently our actions in the world around us.
If our inclination is to see science negatively we will resist advances it offers that can improve our lives, both rich and poor, while at the same time fostering a culture of mistrust that can (and has) spread into other areas of understanding. If however we can promote an atmosphere of trust and joy in the discoveries of science it becomes more likely that will see it as an acceptable part of the solution to problems we might face as well as enabling us to understand creation better and with less fear. In this view a grasp and trust of science becomes a not only a responsibility but a demand on our divinely appointed roles as co-creators with the universe.
There is certainly a balance to be had when seeking to ensure we uphold one another in love and unity of spirit, after all we all approach different issues from a multitude of backgrounds and understanding. I think though that there are or should be times when that balance cannot be equal and must be challenged when it has unhelpful or even harmful outcomes. If that balance must be skewed away from what we might previously have considered safe and 'Christian' then it will be personally unsettling, but maybe necessary for both ourselves, those outside the church and for the betterment of our care and understanding of creation.
An acceptance of science isn't just central to making our churches more attractive, it is essential to fulfilling our role in God's creation.
The programme for this year's Science Festival here in Edinburgh is now out!
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