Where does science fit into the big narrative of Scripture?
You won't find the word 'science' anywhere in the Bible - not least because science as we know it wasn't invented until the 16th century. But the Bible has loads to say about humanity's relationship to the natural world: what it should be, what went wrong, and what God is doing to fix it.
In this series of studies we explore the three-way relationship between God, us and nature, starting with creation and following the Bible's grand narrative through fall, redemption and new creation.
On the journey we'll grow in our understanding of the place of science in God's plans for the world, and discover how we as scientists have a vital part to play in the ultimate story of reality.
Series outline
1. Psalms: the earth is the Lord's
How does God relate to the natural world that we study in the sciences? Psalm 104 is a meditation on creation that teaches us to turn our wonder at the workings of nature into praise for its Creator.
Where do we fit in to God's plans for the natural world? What role does science have to play in that? See how the creation narrative sheds light on our identity and responsibility as human beings.
How does sin impact nature? In this study, we consider the impact of human rebellion on the natural world and the ways that we misuse our God-given role as stewards.
Is scientific endeavour futile after the Fall? What hope is there for a world groaning under the curse of sin? Watch as the Creator himself walks onto the scene and turns everything upside down.
5. Corinthians: all things reconciled
Jesus' death has won our salvation, but what does the cross mean for the wider creation? How might scientists be part of God's big reconciliation project?
6. Revelation: the end and the beginning
How does the hope of a new creation change how we engage with our field now? As we look forward to the restoration of all things at the end of time, let's let it transform our work as scientists today.
How to use these studies
These studies are designed to be used as part of a Science Network Hub: a group of science students at your uni who together are figuring out how we can think, live and speak for Jesus as scientists.
The studies follow the same format as Impact Group sessions, so they should feel familiar! Each study has four sections:
Ready for Impact introduces the theme of each session.
Impacted by the Word is an opportunity to dig into what the Bible has to say on the topic.
Impacting our Hearts gives space for some personal reflection on what the Bible’s teaching means for us.
Impacting the University considers how what we’ve seen is good news for those around us.
The big idea at the start of each study is there to help you as a leader understand where you might want the group to get to by the end of the session.
Each session should take around an hour. There are six sessions in the series: you could run the whole series over six weeks in one term, or spread them out by hosting one a month across the academic year.
If you’re leading the session, take some time to work through the study beforehand to make sure you know what you’re aiming to achieve in the session. Take a look at the key Bible passages and make note of any questions you think the material is likely to raise for your group. This shouldn’t take more than around 30-60 minutes.
Find all of the studies here.
Recommended further reading
If you want to go deeper into any of the topics raised in this series of studies, here are a few books that explore the theme of science and Scripture in more detail.
- The Message of Creation, David Wilkinson (Bible Speaks Today commentary series)
- Let There Be Science!, Tom McLeish and David Hutchings
- Jesus, Beginnings and Science, David and Kate Vosburg