SCIENCE AND SCRIPTURE
                           DO THEY AGREE ?

.    Modern science has shaped a new earth, or so it seems, and
promises next to transform the heavens.  Beyond many of the fondest
dreams of the past, science and technology have changed man's
existence physically, socially and intellectually.
.    For some reason, the explosion of scientific knowledge seems to
have blasted God out of the world of learning.  Since many university
professors seem reticent to speak of God as an Omnipotent Person,
their students understandably wonder whether the mountains of data
accumulated through scientific and technological advances imply the
irrelevance if not the unreality of God.  In the words of Dr. Elmer W.
Engstrom, Chief Executive Officer of the Radio Corporation of America
(RCA), himself largely responsible for the organization and management
of a research and development program that led to practical television
service - "We live in an age when the results of science and
engineering exercise the controlling influence in all walks of life."
.    Yet Dr. Engstrom does not stop there.  Remarkably enough, while
multitudes of 20th century men and women are tempted to look upon
science as a new god, and on the God of the Bible as outmoded, an
impressive number of scientists - Engstrom among them - insist that it
is science that is forever changing, while the God of creation is the
same "yesterday, today and forever."  Says Engstrom: "I accept as real
God's ruling in the affairs of men and in all aspects of His creation,
and I accept the validity of a scientific understanding of material
things and the happenings of nature."
.    It is not "the scientists" as such, contrary to a widespread
impression, who are debunking the supernatural; their authority as a
class cannot be invoked against miracle or faith in the deity of Jesus
Christ.  While some philosophers - notably, naturalists in the free
world as well as the dialectical materialist in the Communist world
contend that the scientific way of knowing disproves and discredits a
supernatural faith, some of the leading men of science have stepped
forward to expose the impropriety of such claims.
.    "Modern science has made wonderful changes in our lives",
comments Dr. James H. Shaw, associate professor of Biological
chemistry at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, "But no standard
for morals, no universal concern for one's neighbor, no satisfaction
for the yearning human heart can spring from any amoral, impersonal
body of knowledge.  Science has no answer to man's dilemma."
.    "For me," Shaw continues, "the answer is a personal relationship
with God freely given by Him in response to faith in and commitment to
the claims of Jesus Christ."
.    Have science and technology solved man's basic problems: The
quest for ultimate truth by which to live and die, the problems of
moral and intellectual corruption, of crime, war, and suffering?  So
asks Dr. Bodo Volkman, professor of mathematics at the Institute of
Technology in Stuttgart, Germany.  His reply was very pointed: "It is
evident that mere scientific knowledge, however valuable, can never
accomplish this.  Nor do I think that religious efforts will suffice." 
It takes, he says, "something different from just adhering to some
ethical principles or believing in some anthropocentric god.  Rather I
do believe in the God of the Bible as a Person, and faith in Him to me
means commitment to Jesus as the Christ.  Actual communication with
Him changes man's life from within; it is here that the answer is
waiting."
.    What then of the widely trumpeted conflict between science and
religion, and the bold claim of Anglo-Saxon naturalists and communist
atheists that belief in the supernatural is akin to faith in the pagan
myths?  This is not only an exaggeration and over simplification - it
is a patent falsehood, and some scientists are saying so today with a
directness that contrasts with the timidity even of some theologians.
.    British scientist Malcom Dixon, who is a reader in enzyme
biochemistry at Cambridge University, from which he holds both PH.D.
and Sc.D. degrees, thinks the time long overdue to "dispel the harmful
idea that science is anti-Christian."  He declares: "For over forty
years I have been engaged in scientific research and teaching at the
advanced level in Cambridge University, and I have found no reason to
think that there is any incompatibility between science and
Christianity.  Many of the greatest scientists have been Christian
believers, and I should judge that there is now in this country about
the same proportion of such believers among scientist as among non-
scientist."
.    Not the incredulity of the man of sound religious faith so much
as the naivete of the naturalistic mentality established the 'great
divide' between Christian belief and unbelief, emphasizes Dr. John A.
McIntyre, professor of Physics at Texas A & M University.  In
Professor McIntyre's words: "The most distinctive characteristic of
our times is the sophisticated knowledge of people in scientific and
technical matters and the simultaneous ignorance and naivete
concerning religious things.  The general opinion seems to be that
science has replaced religion as the source of answers for human
questions, so that religious ignorance is to be encouraged.  Yet, how
can science explain the terrible wars and persecutions of this century
among the civilized nations, the lostness and boredom spreading
rapidly through our materialistically affluent society, and the recent
disintegration of the American family?"  He continues: "As a scientist
who discovered the Christian messages as an adult, I can testify to
the profundity and appeal of the Christian explanation of these facts:
that man is completely estranged from God and that life is empty and
incomplete until he returns to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. 
Further, I know of no scientific facts which contradict this view."
.    Against naturalistic and materialistic theories of consciousness,
Professor Thorson, of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, says: "As
a man who works in science, I do not find Christianity in any sense
outmoded.  On the contrary, my experience is that a personal
relationship to Jesus Christ as God incarnate in man, a relationship
of trust and love, is both possible in and relevant to daily life."
.    The case for the reality of the supernatural and for the enduring
relevance of the Christian religion is not supported only by "Western"
scientists from Europe and America.  In Africa and Asia as well, some
leaders in scientific interest are speaking about the decisive
importance of spiritual and moral priorities.
.    An Indian scientist, Professor H. Enock, retired department head
of zoology at the University of Madras in south India states: "After
more than 30 years of teaching I have had no occasion to change my
view of the spiritual realm or of the mission of Jesus Christ.  I have
come to the settled conviction that no established fact of science
contradicts the Bible."
.    Dr Philip Saber Saif, Egyptian researcher in the Ministry of
Education in Cairo, pinpoints the crucial decision facing contemporary
man this way: "In this age, when nuclear experiments threaten the
world with final destruction, the only hope for humanity lies in
Christianity.  Our Bible does not teach scientific theory, but
theological and eternal truths.  God who created man has also created
science.  I believe that no man of science has a proper reason for not
becoming a Christian on the grounds of his science."  He further
stated: "As Jesus refused to pursue the young man (Matthew 19:16-22)
and make other terms, so today the Gospel terms cannot be lessened,
cheapened or altered.  Therefore,if a scientist comes to God he must
come the same way as any other man.  He must repent, confess his sin
to God, and believe in Jesus Christ with all of his heart."
.    Efforts to flippantly sweep aside the Bible and the claims of
Christ are not valid in the light of testimony of many prominent men
of science.  It now becomes a matter for the individual to seriously
consider the claims of Christianity.
.    The Bible declares that, "The world by wisdom knew not God" (I
Corinthians 1:21).  It also tells us: "the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom." (Psalms 111:10)
.    "Thus sayeth the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man
glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercises
loving kindness, judgment and righteousness, in the earth: for in
these things I delight, sayeth the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:23,24)
.    We will be in prayer that you will come to the KNOWLEDGE that
Jesus Christ IS the ONLY way to peace of soul, and to salvation from
ETERNAL condemnation.  Pray a prayer like this one, if you now know
that you NEED Jesus as YOUR Savior and you now accept His death as
payment for YOUR sins.  Pray something like this...

.    Lord Jesus come into my life.  I acknowledge that I am living in
a manner against God, a sinner in need of your salvation.  I know that
you died for my sins, and I now ask you into my heart.  Lord Jesus
take my life and do what YOU will with it that it may glorify you.  I
repent of my sins, and come to you now.  Thank you Jesus, for your
promise that "If any man confess me before man - him will I confess
before my Father."

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