For a long time, the legend of Galileo's confrontation with the church has been circulated, which has been cited as the primary example of the long-term confrontation between Christianity and science, and this situation did not reach its peak until the end of 19. The basic relationship between science and Christianity is described as a hostile and inevitable conflict. However, these descriptions ignore the fact that this hostile attitude stems from the philosophical development of18th century and19th century, not from the views of great scientific pioneers.
Christianity is an important partner of modern science, not an enemy.
First of all, it is a historical fact that science developed in the philosophy and culture dominated by Christian monotheism. God revealed in the Bible is consistent in personality and methodical in creative activities. Then, it is understandable and predictable that all facts have their inherent laws, which have become the basis of any rational or scientific activity.
Second, the important concept of contingency in nature has Christian roots. The whole universe existing in regularity is created by God and maintained by God-this belief occupies an important position in Newton's thought and is clearly and powerfully expressed in his works. According to the creation theory of the Bible, the concept of accidental intelligibility has become the basis of empirical science. In other words, to understand nature, we must rely on scientific observation and experiment, rather than those inherent and self-evident principles. Everything itself does not exist through our imagination; The existence of the universe is the result of God's free and independent creation. It is an accidental and open structure created by God, which is beyond the grasp and definition of our limited theorems and equations. So the universe has unexpected twists and turns.
Science is always advancing and never ending. Scientific knowledge, even if it is only a tiny part of reality, will never be complete and thorough. However, although scientists only know a certain part, they can always win some insights in the "truth" through their constant roaming in the universe. Several scientists we have studied are convinced that their theory is not a mathematical idea invented to cater to data, but a true description of the material world, just as God created it.
The four pioneers of the scientific revolution were all Christians, so were many other scientists, such as Bacon, Boyle, Pascal and Ray. They never think that their scientific research and its results will conflict with their Christian beliefs. On the contrary, they regard exploring nature as a sacred duty and honor.
Finally, the Reformation made an inestimable contribution to the new science, which is contrary to popular belief. The reformists in continental Europe hold a positive view of science under the theological background. Calvin wrote: "If we regard the spirit of God as the only source of truth, then under no circumstances can we turn our backs on and despise the truth, otherwise, we will blaspheme the spirit of God." He added: "Astronomy is not only interesting, but also very useful; It is undeniable that this art reveals the amazing wisdom of God. " However, both Calvin and Luther noticed that too much commitment to science would divert people's attention from God and give people the illusion that natural processes are not controlled by God.
/kloc-Britain in the 0/7th century is a completely different scene. Unlike the conflict that historians usually assume, science and religion interact with each other in a positive way. Protestants gradually accepted the view of the new science, which supported the traditional Christian philosophy, because scientists at that time were removing the mechanical view of the material tendency of nature. Puritans dominated the establishment of Newtonian science and penetrated into many universities. Even before Newton, Copernicus theory was widely accepted by Puritan thinkers in old and new England. By the end of 17, they accounted for the majority in the Royal College. Later, the first industrial revolution broke out in Britain, making Britain the most powerful country in the19th century.
Christian theology and science are inseparable. Less than 200 years have passed since Protestants arrived in America by may flower, and 1776 formulated the declaration of independence and established the United States on the basis of Protestant ideology. The United States has become the most powerful and technologically advanced country, which has also become a witness to the promotion of scientific development by Christianity.
-After Galileo-