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Are Science and Faith Compatible?

Interview With Jonathan Witt

If you’ve ever felt that belief in science and belief in God are incompatible, you’ll want to hear this interview, republished in honor of Know Why’s current series, “Know About Science and Faith.” In this interview (originally posted in July of 2023) Jonathan, Executive Editor of Discovery Institute Press, explains how the scientific method was born out of a biblical worldview, provides examples of modern scientists who profess faith in God, and points to major scientific discoveries that point to God’s existence.

Famous Scientists Who Were Also Religious

“The Christian worldview actually gave birth to science,” Jonathan told Know Why Podcast. The Judeo-Christian worldview prevalent in renaissance Europe “fired the imaginations and it ordered the reasoning of those that gave birth to the scientific revolution.”

In the 16th Century, Anglican thinker Sir Francis Bacon developed the scientific method, which uses experimentation and inductive reasoning to learn more about the natural world.

In the 17th Century, Galileo, a Christian, advanced groundbreaking discoveries, including that the earth revolved around the sun, and argued that science does not contradict the Bible.

“There are scientists in our age who see nature, see even recent discoveries pointing to God intelligent design, pointing to evidence of a God,” Jonathan said, mentioning Nobel Prize winning physicists Arno Penzias, 90, and Charles Townes (1915-2015) as examples.

Francis Collins, former director of the National Institutes of Health and a leading scientist in DNA research, is a current example of a prominent scientist vocal about his Christian faith.

There are plenty more examples of men and women combining faith and science throughout history and today. Modern scientists aren’t as hostile to religion as people may think. Many scientists around the world acknowledge the possibility of a spiritual realm. And the majority of people working in science-related fields are religious.

Understanding the Bible

Still, sometimes scientific discoveries seem to go against something the Bible says. That’s why it’s important to understand what the Bible is.

The Bible claims to be the true, authoritative word of God, given to human authors to write down throughout multiple centuries and locations. It contains poetry, prophecies, parables, genealogical records and historical accounts. Combined, these writings tell the story of God and his love for humanity.

The Bible never claims to be a comprehensive textbook of science or history. So when reading books within the Bible, it’s important to consider their historical, literary, and cultural context in order to interpret them correctly — something theologians have been doing (and sometimes disagreeing about) for centuries. For instance, the Bible claims that God created the universe, but even Christians often disagree about how he created it.

Where Christians will land in this debate depends on their interpretation of Genesis. Genesis is the first book in the Bible, and its first two chapters focus on creation. According to the biblical creation account, God created the universe in six days, with man being his final creation.

Theistic evolutionists argue the story of creation is meant to be symbolic or allegorical — that the six days of creation actually represent ages of time during which evolution took place under God’s guidance. Others, called creationists, hold that the story of creation is literal. They believe the six days of creation were actually six 24-hour days, and that God created all living things by speaking them into existence.

As Jonathan acknowledged on Know Why, “Whereas God is infallible and his Word is infallible, our understanding of Scripture is not necessarily infallible.”

And yet, he argues in favor of intelligent design. Many accomplished scientists view intelligent design as the superior explanation for the universe’s existence, as evidenced by dozens of peer-reviewed articles and burgeoning research.

Find links and resources mentioned in this episode below:

Have a topic or interview guest you’d like to suggest for the podcast? Submit it here.

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What Can the Sun, the Moon, and the Solar Eclipse Tell Us About God?

Interview With Parker Eng

Listen as we jump into our new series, “Know About Science and Faith!” Parker Eng, President and Founder of the organization Day 4 Astronomy, joins Know Why to discuss some fascinating ways the heavens demonstrate the uniqueness of Planet Earth—and what implications that has for humanity. If you enjoyed viewing the solar eclipse back in April, you’ll want to hear Parker share what two astronauts told him during an eclipse watch party and exactly why the 2024 eclipse was so special. Do you have a science-related question you’d like us to address in this series? Reach out at KnowWhyPodcast.com. 

Impossible Odds

Many people take life for granted—specifically, the fact that life can exist on Earth. But according to science, the fact that we exist in space is special.

The odds of the conditions which make life possible on Earth appearing by chance are 1 in 10 to the 40,000th power, Parker explained. Details like the precise size and distance of our moon and the kind of light emitted by our sun provide perfect conditions for life. Those conditions would be destroyed if there was even slight variation in many of these details.

Another unlikelihood—the fact that the sun is 400 times larger than the moon, and also 400 times further away from earth than the moon. This is what makes a total solar eclipse possible on planet earth.

“What are the chances of that happening for the planet that has life?” Parker asked. “I think it points to a Creator. I think it points to God giving us something very unique to show his might and his power.”

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Why is This Presidential Election So Unprecedented?

Interview With Richard Lim (Part 2)

It’s the “age of the unprecedented!” That’s historian Richard Lim’s take. Back for Part 2, the host of “This American President” explains what factors truly make this presidential election so unique. He also offers insight on the importance of knowing our nation’s history, and why it’s so rare to find political leaders who are willing to do the right thing anymore. But Richard still has hope that America can produce leaders of integrity—if some things change. Find out what those things are in this quick, topical episode. 

Tired of ‘Unprecedented?’

“We truly live in the age of the unprecedented,” Richard told Know Why, adding that there is so much unprecedented about our current politics that it’s “absurd.” However, we can still glean insight from looking at our nation’s history. Unfortunately, few Americans are well-versed in American history.

 “History is to a country the way memory is to an individual,” Richard said. “Why would you experience things and learn lessons but then forget them? What’s the point of that?”

Hope

Richard believes studying the past can also give us hope for the future, because even though events and circumstances change, human nature stays the same across time. And in the past, there are examples of leaders emerging to do the right thing, even when it wasn’t popular—and sometimes even when it was costly. He gives examples of past presidents who made the right decision when it was tough.

He acknowledges that many Americans may feel frustration at our political leaders today, whom many deem corrupt. “Why did we have leaders that did [the right thing] back then and not have that now?” he said.

“The answer is because there was this belief that everybody was accountable to God. Whether you were a Christian or not, that was the basic belief in the country. And we don’t have that anymore. If you want better leaders, you need that moral check on every American citizen, because then it will lead to leaders doing good things.”

You can read more about one of America’s good leaders in Richard’s forthcoming book, Refusing a Crown. Learn more at his website below.

More Resources:

Richardmlim.com 

This American President Podcast

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Why Should I Care About George Washington?

Interview With Richard Lim (Part 1)

Returning guest Richard Lim shares why, as a history nerd, “he fell in love with George Washington.” According to Richard, the host of “This American President,” Washington is more than the face on the dollar bill—he’s the embodiment of American exceptionalism, whose decision to give up power resonates with people across countries and centuries. In fact, Washington’s leadership exemplified one of the only values that nearly 90% of Americans agree on today.

Listen to Part 1 of Richard’s interview for more on why Washington’s example is relevant for American politics today, and to hear about his forthcoming book, Refusing a Crown.

Something Americans Agree On

“Almost 90 percent of Americans want term limits in Congress,” Richard told Know Why. “There are few issues that unite the American people today,” he added.

That’s why he believes George Washington is an important figure for Americans to study. At a time when monarchy was the norm, Washington refused the crown that people offered him in the face of immense political success and popularity.

“In America this was possible,” he said. “In America there was an expectation that George Washington should act in a way that respected the will of the people.”

More Resources:

Richardmlim.com 

This American President Podcast

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Why Don’t Today’s Christian Kids Have a Biblical Worldview?

Interview With Dr. George Barna

Rounding out Know Why’s Back to School series, Dr. George Barna joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss kids, parents, and worldview. While previous episodes in this series have focused on high school or college students, Dr. Barna addresses parents. Whether you have kids now or hope to someday, listen to find out why things like intentionality, consistency, and honesty are so critical in passing a biblical worldview on to the next generation. You’ll also hear why only 1% of American teens have a biblical worldview today, and why many kids are saying they don’t trust their parents. 

More Resources:

Raising Spiritual Champions: Nurturing Your Child’s Heart, Mind, and Soul by Dr. George Barna

GeorgeBarna.com

CulturalResearchCenter.com 

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What Does it Mean to Be a Christian?

Interview With Dr. Brad East

Returning Know Why guest Dr. Brad East joins the podcast to discuss his new book, Letters to a Future Saint: Foundations of Faith for the Spiritually Hungry, a resource for young adults, college students, and parents of young adults. Dr. East argues that young adults are hungry for a faith “worth staking your life on.” He also says many seek straight, clear answers on matters of importance. If you’re a college student seeking to strengthen or better understand your faith in this season, don’t miss this installment of our Back to School series!

A Needed Resource

As a professor at Abilene Christian University, Dr. East spends plenty of time with young adults. Despite the many issues facing young adults, he says that one thing about the generation sticks out to him: “The thing that I experience the most with this population is a deep and utterly sincere hunger for what is worth staking your life on.”

But even among young adults who attend a Christian university and were raised in a Christian home, many do not actually know what it means to be a Christian. Dr. East says his forthcoming book, Letters to a Future Saint, is for them.

Why the Gap?

Why the gap in understanding? Dr. East thinks there are a few reasons. One is churches’ underestimation of how deep young adults really want to go with their faith. He says many churches have adopted a “concert and a Ted Talk model.”

“A concert, no matter how good, and a Ted Talk, no matter how good, are just not enough,” he told Know Why. “They’re not going to do the job we need to catechize and raise up committed, adult Christians.”

But he also identifies technology as a reason young Christians are unfamiliar with their own faith. The rapid advances in technology, the impacts of which are still being studies, have led to a young population that is less literate than previous generations.

Give it to me Straight

Dr. East said he gets lots of questions about a variety of issues from his students. But a common theme underscores the questions: “Would you please give me clear and succinct answer? Because no-one seems to be able or willing to do that for me?”

His book, Letters to a Future Saint, sets out to provide those answers, and equip others to give them as well.

More Resources



Letters to a Future Saint: Foundations of Faith for the Spiritually Hungry by Dr. Brad East

The Church: A Guide to the People of God (Christian Essentials) by Dr. Brad East

BradEast.org

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How Can I Help a Friend Struggling With Suicidal Thoughts?

Interview With Jon Noyes (Part 2)

In Part 2 of his interview with Know Why, Jon Noyes addresses the problem of suicide among young people. Jon encourages listeners to break the stigma around discussing suicide, gives practical tips for recognizing signs of suicidal thoughts, and helps listeners know why recognizing our identity as image-bearers of God is essential to tackling suicide and renewing hope. Don’t miss this important installment of our “Back to School” series.

Confronting Lies With Truth

Jon noted us that suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34. As students return to high school this year, they’re likely to know someone who is struggling with their mental health or even having suicidal thoughts.

Jon told Know Why suicide is a growing problem because “people believe a lie, and the lie is that they’re better off dead than alive.”

To confront the lie, we need to speak truth, Jon said. The first step is ending the stigma surrounding discussions of suicide. That can include bringing the topic up to a friend we suspect is considering suicide, or reaching out others and being honest about our own mental health struggles.


“We’re devoid of hope in our culture.”

Jon Noyes

“When did it become ok not to express concern about other people?” Jon asked. “If we look at people and see them as God’s sees them, we should care enough to at least talk to them about their problems, or us talk to other people about our problems and be real with one another.”

Hope and Identity

Seeing people as God sees them is necessary for bringing hope to others, Jon told Know Why. It’s also essential for retaining hope ourselves. If we recognize that we are made in the image of God, we will know that our life has inherent value, and that we were designed for an eternal future with Jesus.

“Ultimately it all comes back to hope, and that hope is found in Christ, and we always need to be pointing people back to Christ, and reminding people daily who we are,” Jon told Know Why.

More Resources: 

Listen to Part 1 of Jon’s interview here.

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How Can High Schoolers Be Confident in Their Faith?

Interview With Jon Noyes (Part 1)

From apparent conflicts between the Bible and science to questions of identity and sexuality, navigating high school is harder than ever, including for teens attempting to stand strong in—or figure out—their faith. In the first of Know Why’s “Back to School” series, returning guest Jon Noyes addresses common questions teens are asking about faith. The Stand to Reason apologist equips teens, parents, and others to “wrestle well” with hard topics including identity, science, and loving LGBTQ+ friends while standing firm in truth. In Part 2 next week, Jon will address the important topics of mental health and suicide.

Existential Questions

In his years working as an apologist, Jon has seen the kinds of questions that young people ask change overtime.

“There’s been a shift that seems to have gone from these formal arguments for the existence of God to questions of meaning and purpose and identity,” he told Know Why. “It’s gone from an intellectual pursuit to more of an existential pursuit.”

The questions of meaning, purpose, and identity are important. “How you answer that question, ‘Who am I?’ or ‘Where do I come from?’ is going to answer a lot of other questions,” he said.

Wrestling Well

As students begin the school year, they may encounter scientific arguments against the existence of God or against what they’ve been told the Bible teaches. Rather than backing away from these hard questions and challenges, Jon said Christians should embrace them. That means that Christians parents may need to read hard books on science and faith to help their kids answer the hard questions, he said.

He also noted that Christians believe what they believe because it’s true. Faith and science aren’t opposed as many believe, but understanding requires exploration.

“We shouldn’t be afraid of digging into the really difficult issues,” Jon told Know Why. “I think it’s important to encourage our students to wrestle, but wrestle well.”

Love and Truth

One issue many young people wrestle with today is the question of sexuality. For Christians, it can be hard to hold a belief system that is so counter-cultural. Jon shares an illustration from his own life to show that friendship between people of different lifestyles and beliefs is possible, even while standing firm in what the Bible teaches.

“If we’re not inviting these people in, how are they going to hear the gospel?”

Be sure to listen next week for Part 2.

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Can Music Help Us Know Right From Wrong?

Know About Creating: Interview With Nick Sungenis (Part 2)

In the last episode of our Know About Creating series, Liberty and Nick wrap up their conversation on music, philosophy, and life. Nick dives deeper into the philosophy of music, explaining how music can help us understand the nuance of life and sharpen our ability to reason through our actions. He also discusses the fascinating science behind the effect of music on living beings, and offers encouragement for people who want to pursue music as a career, or pick up an instrument for the first time!

Essentially Musical

Nick says that musicality is part of humans’ nature. “We are essentially predisposed and so ripe for becoming more musical because we have a fundamental level of musicality,” he told Know Why.

The more we play and understand music, the more we can understand about life, added. That’s because students of music learn that there is a right or wrong time to play certain notes, and that depending on the instrument, playing the correct note accurately requires a lot of nuance.

It’s the same with life. “There’s sometimes a lot of nuance to life and actions,” Nick said. “Reason will guide us to make the right selection, whatever it is.”

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Know About Creating: Why Do Humans Crave Music?

Interview With Nick Sungenis (Part 1)

Have you ever wondered why people love music so much? Music instructor and author of the forthcoming book Living the Harmonious Life, Nick Sungenis explains that humans are intrinsically musical. In Part 1 of his interview with Know Why, Nick argues that if we pay attention to music fundamentals like harmony and balance, we can understand what makes us happy in life. Don’t miss this philosophically rich conversation, and be sure to check back next week for Part 2!

God is Musical and So Are We

If you’ve read either J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion or C. S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew, you’re familiar with the concept of fantasy worlds being created through music. Nick beliefs that concept is more than fiction. “Music is something so essential to God himself,” he told Know Why. This explains why humans are naturally musical, too.

Music, Virtue, and Happiness

 Applying musical concepts like harmony and tone to other areas of our life results in virtue and happiness, Nick said. He explores this philosophy more in his forthcoming book Living the Harmonious Life.

In addition to teaching us more about ourselves, enjoying music can serve as a needed balm in the midst of stress.

“There’s so much chaos in the world,” Nick told Know Why. “Music can be such a great way to bring more order and beauty and goodness in our souls, in our hearts, and our minds.” 

Check back next week for Part 2!