“As Christians, we think the gospel matters. We think it changes how we see
everything, and it certainly should change how we see science.”

How does the gospel change our view of science and the scientific community? In this session, Dr. Swamidass seeks to answer how Christians can think about and engage in science faithfully and effectively.

Key Terms

General Revelation: As we encounter nature, we encounter who God is.

Special Revelation: God wants to be known beyond science through the person of Jesus.

Main Points

• When asked by skeptics for a sign, Jesus points to the Resurrection. This is how he answers the skepticism of science.
• While we often look to science for confidence, God chose to reveal himself in history through the person of Jesus, who is our true confidence.
• In light of the gospel, science, even when it is legitimate and correct, is not the whole story.
• One way Jesus might define “science:” as a community of people that he loves. The scientific community is made up of image-bearers of God, and we are called to love them as Jesus does.

Content Questions

• How does God reveal himself through his creation? In what ways have you encountered his character in the world?
• How is this general revelation different from the revelation of God’s character and love through the person of Jesus? How
• If science is a community of people whom Jesus loves, how might that definition inform our approach to scientific conflict? What would look different?

Application Questions

• How would focusing on the person of Jesus and the reality of the resurrection rather than scientific conflicts change the way the church relates to the scientific community?
• Who do you know in the scientific community? Are you connected with any scientists, professors, teachers, or students? How could you show them that they are loved by Christ along with the rest of the scientific community?