Visible Evidence of the Divine Designer

 For some people there is insufficient proof for the existence of God. We acknowledge that the concept of proof is often subjective. Some people are more readily persuaded than others. The concept of God’s existence was a metaphysical issue even for the people of Bible times. I Corinthians 2:14 states, “The natural person does not accept the things of the spirit of God, for they are folly to them, and he is not able to understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (ESV)

The first letter of Paul to the Thessalonian Christians expresses a modern scientific mandate: “…test everything; hold fast what is good.” (I Thess. 5:21 ESV). As we observe many phenomena in our natural world, we have been given appropriate scriptural advice. It was an exhortation to follow empirical scientific principles. “Test everything” is a formula for discovering evidence for what is true. This formula certainly includes careful observational skills. The mandate was true in biblical times; it remains true today.

Devotional volumes frequently offer advice for discovering the reality of God. Their advice implores us to carefully observe the wonders of our universe from the tiniest insects to the vastness of outer space with its billions of galactic structures. We learn about God by observing what He created. Some humans are reinforced in their belief in God’s existence by observing the wonders of God’s creation. For others, these observations do not rise to the level of sufficient proof.  

Insects are members of the phylum arthropoda which accounts for 84% of life forms on our planet. Insects comprise 90% of arthropods. There are approximately one million insect species already catalogued with an additional million+ yet to be discovered and catalogued. The most plentiful order (a taxonomic term) of insects consists of an incredible 350,000 species of beetles. There are 28 additional orders of insects with progressively smaller numbers of species. We do not mention these statistics in an effort to create an army of entomologist researchers within our readership. Instead, we hope our readers will exult in the creative diversity of life on Planet Earth. Our planet teems with life—plentiful, attractive, beautiful, diverse life!

It is easier to believe in the reality of God’s existence if we become empiricists. If our readers are fascinated by our statistics on the plentitude of beetles, we suggest they search out graphic material as well as printed literature on the topic. The beauty of beetles, their diversity, color, morphology, and functionality are staggering. We do not minimize the value of the same types of traits for other animals in phylum arthropoda. When we narrow our focus solely to beetles, we are astonished by what we discover.  Why did God create so many beetles? Many scientists have been asking similar questions for many years. Beetles have served many functions within our complex ecosystems. It is doubtful we understand a small fraction of beetle function.

Another topic atheists and agnostics have posed relates to the enormity of the universe and its billions of galaxies. Was God a wasteful Creator? Let us speculate on proposals Dr. Hugh Ross of Reasons to Believe has offered many times in his writings: “The universe is mind-bogglingly massive…..If the universe were ever so slightly less massive….physical life of any conceivable kind would be impossible. On the other hand, if the universe were ever so slightly more massive…..no planet like Earth and no physical life would be possible if the universe were not precisely as massive as it is…..the universe must possess its precise mass/mass density for any planet and any physical life to possibly exist.” Designed to the Core, RTB Press, 2022.

Our tiny Planet Earth and its millions of different species would not exist without a massive universe as we know it. “The Lord has made everything for its purpose…..” (Proverbs 16:4a ESV)

In the New Testament Book of Romans the Apostle Paul instructed us about the God of Creation: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made…..” (Romans 1:20 ESV)

From small beetles to a massive universe, we rejoice in God’s omniscience.  

  

    

Bees--Highly Beneficial Insects

 

We recently highlighted a few statistics concerning insects. We stated that as many as 97% of the world’s insects are beneficial to humanity. This statistic does not begin to highlight the scope of insect roles. We may wish to consider the monetary or life-sustaining health benefits insect species provide. It would be difficult to quantify the benefit to humanity with a percentage figure.

Insects are near the base of many food chains. They are primary consumers; most insects feed on plants. Bees feed on and collect plant products. They produce honey and pollinate food crops. All individual food chains in an ecosystem constitute the food web. Because of the interrelationships of all living things on the planet, the benefits of insects, especially bees, may bespeak the virtual survival of the entire human race. A careful study of the interrelationships of living things within our planet’s many ecosystems reminds us of the wondrous complexity of the design features programmed by the Creator.

We recently reviewed a video dealing with the fascinating topic of bees. This video is a Moody science film produced in 1962 entitled City of the Bees. The idea of reinforcing science knowledge with the principles of theology was a relatively novel concept at the time. Moody Science films made substantive references to the instructions of God in the moral and physical spheres, especially in tandem with scientific knowledge.

There are about 20,000 species of bees on Earth. The City of the Bees video states bees are the most important insect in the world. Few would disagree. There is substantial diversity among bee species. Honeybees are social insects, but only about 9% of bee species are highly social. The term eusociality means “a high degree of sociality.” They exhibit (1) division of labor (a highly integrated labor force), (2) cooperative care of broods, and (3) generational overlap. They manifest some unique behavioral traits more typical of highly intelligent creatures such as man. One example is described below.

The City of the Bees video highlighted Karl von Frisch (1886-1982) who shared a Nobel prize for his specific studies in animal behavior (ethology). Von Frisch studied honeybee behavior such as their ability to direct fellow honeybees to a food source. Scout bees were filmed during their unique body “waggle” which directionally signaled hive members where to find food, as well as how far away the food was from their present hive location. The “waggle” dance of the worker bee was correctly interpreted by hive-mates—a skill almost as remarkable as the worker bees’ directional signaling. A polarized light compass is built into the hive-mates’ visual organs to aid in direction-finding.

Honeybees have ability to control their hive population in various ways. The video states that some of the honeybees’ instinctive behavioral patterns are somewhat ruthless. For example, the queen bee and workers are summarily disposed of when their role in the hive has been fulfilled. Instinctive responses are appropriate for the purposes of the immediate welfare of hive-mates, but it may not be appropriate in every case for humanity. Without them, the planet’s population may ultimately suffer disastrous famine. Humanity receives instruction and wisdom from natural phenomena, including the ruthlessness mentioned above.

The video explains that God has given the human race rules and behavioral guidelines such as the ten commandments and other scriptures. Along with divine “rules” provided in His Word, humanity has been gifted with free will. Humans may freely choose to obey or disobey God’s moral and behavioral mandates. Human free will is a priceless gift from God. In turn, we are gifted with salvation through Christ if we choose by our free will to believe in Him.

Moody Science Films were produced by the Moody Institute of Science. They were also termed Sermons From Science. We fondly recall visiting the 1964-65 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows NY where Moody Bible Institute and Sermons for Science had an attractive pavilion. For readers who are fascinated by the relationship of science and faith, here is a past post dealing with the science/faith link as it relates to Moody Science Films and Sermons From Science:

https://jashow.org/articles/sermons-from-science/

   

      

     

Insect Multiplicity

 Many young children are naturally fascinated by insects—their intricate morphology and their unique capabilities. We recall many past adventures with our own children and young grandchildren in our yard and in our neighborhood. We have referenced many insect behaviors in our past blog posts, including ants, digger wasps, cicadas, praying mantises, walking sticks, grasshoppers, and monarch butterflies including their larvae, the milkweed caterpillars. We were thankful for these experiences which triggered a powerful sense of wonder in our children.

Your blog author’s 5-year old grandson is a case in point. He is fascinated by the healthy natural wonders highlighted in many YouTube videos available online. In the past year his interests have transitioned from dinosaurs to sharks to snakes to a current fascination with ‘insect wars.’ Most of these videos highlight the ever present need for food to nourish and sustain not only insects but all living creatures. They call attention to many insects’ predatory search for food. God’s instruction for mankind from Genesis 9:3 stated, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.” Food is at the top of the list of physiological necessities for living things along with air and water.  

Before I agreed to access YouTubes similar to the Monster Bug Wars feature noted above, I questioned our grandson if the predatory insect wars videos distressed him. He responded with a definite “No.” We have discussed Bible passages such as Job 38:39-41 and Job 39:27-30 and other scriptural teachings that God provides food for the sustenance of all living things He created.

God extravagantly provides food for all living things on Planet Earth. Concepts such as the food chain and the food web allude to living creatures’ acquisition of food common to all living things. Predatory activity is a vital component in the necessary flow of energy to sustain life’s activities. Healthy ecosystems depend on adequate nutrition for all living creatures. Human thriving is ultimately dependent on a healthy insect population.

Insects are the base of the food chains we may have studied in our science classes. The bad news is that many species of insects worldwide are declining in numbers. Statistics vary between 40-70% decline, but some alarming estimates report that biomass of insects is decreasing up to 2% per year worldwide.  

Beneficial insects comprise a great majority of insect species. According to various data sources, the percentage may be as high as 97%. We cite only three examples. (1)  Bees are probably the most beneficial insect species owing to their ability to pollinate food crops. (2) Beetles are natural decomposers comprising 90% of all insect orders on the planet. The human population could not survive without an adequate food supply. Neither could humanity be comfortable without a natural ‘beetle clean-up committee!’ (3) In terms of our appreciation of beauty, the much publicized Monarch butterfly supplies profound joy for our population. The disturbing news is that the migrating Monarch species has declined more than 80% in the last three decades. This is due to reduced habitat; specifically, milkweed plants on which the Monarch larvae feed. We frequently read reports of the hazards of agricultural pesticides and herbicides which may be responsible for the decline of the Monarch population. 

In the midst of bad news we report that CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder) which destroyed many honeybee hives several years ago is much improved. We posit that in terms of human food sources, this recovery is highly significant. We must work to sustain healthy ecosystems. Knowledge of insects, far and away the most prolific form of life on our home planet, causes us to rejoice at God’s wisdom in creating diverse life on our unique planet.

We close with a few statistics on insects. An incredible 900,000+ different species of insects have been catalogued, but uncatalogued species of insects exceed that number by multiples. Insects belong to the phylum arthropoda, the most common of 36 animal phyla. Arthropods include various classes, including insects—the most numerous worldwide class of arthropods by far. Insects compose over 80% of all life forms on Planet Earth. The remaining life forms provide startling diversity. A study of these taxonomic groups supplies a biological treat for those observers who wish to study the subject of worldwide animal species diversity.

Estimates of the numbers of insects existing on Earth range up to 10 quintillion—1 followed by 19 zeroes! At any time there may be up to 200 million insects for every human on the planet. Insect biomass is 17 times the biomass of all humans on Earth. 

We recall many times in our experiences with children and grandchildren, whether field explorations or watching YouTubes, when we vocalized the concept that “God had great ideas!” We are reinforced in that concept when we study insect diversity and multiplicity.

   

   

  

Seasons and Cycles

In early May Earth residents are about half way through the annual seasonal weather cycle. Observers in northern latitudes experience rising temperatures, longer day lengths, increased plant growth, enlivened wildlife, and general optimism concerning changes resulting from these seasonal cycles.

Two Old testament books are our personal favorites commenting on cyclical phenomena—the Book of Job and the Book of Ecclesiastes. In our past Science/Faith blog entries, we have stated that the Bible is not a textbook on science, but Bible references to cycles in nature are spiritually thought-provoking. Bible authors cite observable cyclical phenomena about which there can be little disagreement.

Bible authors such as Job and Solomon possessed superb powers of observation. Both authors commented upon many cycles related to weather. It is possible to identify hundreds of cycles in our environment. The discipline of science is inexorably related to cycles—predictable events or phenomena which recur or repeat. The writers of the books of Job and Ecclesiastes made numerous scientific observations, many related to ubiquitous cycles in the world of nature.  

We begin by highlighting the outcomes of Earth’s orbital cycle. Our planet returns to its position on its elliptical orbit each year. This is the epitome of a cycle. Our elliptical orbit generates many other cycles, including the repeating cold to warm to cold cycle of Earth’s annual temperature. This repeating phenomenon has been in place for countless millennia. Embedded in the cycle of variable temperatures are other cycles: shorter day lengths, then longer, followed by shorter. Especially in middle latitudes of our planet’s two hemispheres, lengthening and shortening day lengths with concomitant rising and falling temperatures give birth to cycles of plant dormancy followed by productivity, then harvest and a return to dormancy once more. These interlocking cycles result in increased food production impossible if temperature and day length cycles did not prevail. The Creator of Heaven and Earth designed various climate zones from which we harvest great quantities of food- producing crops.

This 2017 post discusses deleterious effects on Planet Earth without well-defined seasonal cycles:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2017/10/earth-without-seasons.html

In the book of Ecclesiastes, the author, called the Preacher, Teacher, or Quester, is accurate in his description of cycles. He discusses astronomical cycles of the sun  rising, setting, and returning to its place, along with circulation of wind: “…Around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.” (Eccl. 1:6b ESV) Most impressive are descriptions of Earth’s water cycle in Job 36:27-28 and the first chapter of Ecclesiastes. God “draws up the drops of water”—a citation of liquid water from streams, lakes, or the ocean which first evaporates, later condenses back to liquid water and finally falls as rain. Water vapor is always invisible. Clouds, fog, and mist are composed of small droplets of liquid water. Each small droplet contains thousands of tightly packed molecules of liquid water: H20. When these droplets disassemble, the water molecules break apart and become a vapor, but the vapor is still H20 in its chemical composition. Raindrops fall back to earth. Water has completed its cycle. Many everyday phenomena function effectively because successful cycles repeat over and over.   

Bible authors did not understand the force of gravity in the pre-scientific age in which they lived. The author of Job, however, understood the effects of a force holding astronomical bodies together. Job 37:31 speaks of binding the chains of the star cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the belt of Orion—a clear citation of knowledge of astronomy in Job’s day. David Guzik in Enduring Word Commentary comments on Job 38:31: “Job probably understood the arrangement and patterns in the starry sky, yet he could not even begin to explain the natural forces which governed this arrangement.” In our 21st century science we credit the gravitational attraction of the Sun and Planet Earth for holding the Earth in a predictable gravity controlled cycle.

The Lord Himself in Job 38:32 asks, “Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season?” This term almost certainly refers to the apparent annual cyclical movement of celestial constellations across the sky. This predictable cycle of constellation movement is ultimately due to the force of gravity enabling the consistent orbital path of Planet Earth. Readers may review this link to our past post:

http://jasscience.blogspot.com/2011/10/bible-zodiac.html

God’s creation is orderly and coherent. He has established numerous cycles in order to make human life more satisfying and enjoyable. Authors of Scripture often highlight divinely designed features of our inhabited world.

    

 

Social Contagion

There are two types of contagion. Most people define contagion as an infection by a pathogen - a bacteria, virus, fungus, or even a parasite. We label this type of contagion pathogenic contagion. Historically, the 19th century discovery by Louis Pasteur in relation to germ theory was a momentous event in human history. Pasteur discovered invisible bacteria caused infections and disease in living organisms. 

A different type of contagion, becoming well-known in our day, is social contagion. There are no physical bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites involved in this type of contagion. However, this form of contagion from one person or group to another person or group could be morally devastating. It consists of harmful ideas or behaviors.

First, we briefly discuss pathogenic contagion—physical infections caused by pathogens. In 1861 Louis Pasteur developed his revolutionary germ theory. He discovered that food became spoiled from the action of pathogens such as bacteria. He became known as the father of bacteriology and microbiology. Humans and other living things became ill by the action of bacteria in our environment which, in turn, affected our bodies adversely. Tiny viruses were not visualized until 1935 through electron microscopes, but in the 19th century Pasteur determined that unseen pathogens sometimes caused disease. He utilized his discoveries to treat and prevent disease. He originated pasteurization for milk and beverages by heating them to higher temperatures. This process resulted in destruction of bacteria and prevented milk spoilage and undesirable fermentation events caused by bacteria. Many more discoveries were made in following decades.

In contrast, social contagion is described as the spread of unusual or bizarre behaviors or symptoms which disperse spontaneously through a human population or group. In our day we recognize that social contagion is exacerbated by non-traditional social media unknown just a few short years ago. These media platforms utilize appealing audiovisuals. Examples are Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instant Messaging and Snapchat to name a few. This is a far cry from the days of our grandparents and great-grandparents who were content to access information on their rotary dial telephones, radio receivers, and daily newspapers.

A popular term today is “influencer.” There are ubiquitous influencers in today’s society. These people modify the traditional sexual and social mores we have established in our culture. Increasingly, corporate entities have come out favoring non-traditional agendas. We see their influence in media advertising to a significant degree. Some public libraries have sponsored aggressive drag queen story hours. A few public school library personnel have touted book collections openly promoting transgender themes. The audio, visual, and textual impact of these influencers is stunning. Young people, in particular, are vulnerable to the constant onslaught of influencers from personnel in media, politics, entertainment, public education, and advertising. In recent weeks a famous corporate beverage firm has touted support of transgenderism in their advertising. The social phenomenon of transgenderism has accelerated greatly in the past 10-15 years.  

In the Middle Ages a phenomenon called the “dancing mania” afflicted a significant portion of the population. Great numbers of people would dance uncontrollably, sometimes for days at a time. We propose that the power of social contagion was operative in historic time in the dancing mania phenomenon. It was a case of mass hysteria. Social contagion manifests itself in a variety of ways. Could social contagion be a psychic phenomenon and possibly result in physical injury where unusual, non-traditional ideas are spread and multiplied within the populace?  

In an address to Congress in 2021 the President stated his administration “has the back” of the transgender community. His direct quote was, “To all transgender Americans watching at home, especially the young people. You’re so brave. I want you to know your president has your back.”

All of the influencers noted above are parties to the social contagion of transgenderism. They pronounce the benefits of transgenderism as “settled science.” Quite the opposite is true. Science has shown a human’s gender is fixed at birth. Holy Scripture (Gen. 1:27b) states “Male and female created He them.” (Read also Matthew 19:4) God did not create “gender fluidity.” Gender is not fluid, contrary to some commentators and ordinary citizens who promote “gender fluidity.”  Separate genders were created in God’s divine mind when He created humans. 

With multiple influencers vying for the attention of young people in media and social venues, we approach the topic with interest and wisdom. Statistics on the frequency of children, adolescents, young adults, and adults who identify as transgender are mostly less than 2%. In our younger population the transgender population is at the upper range of this figure. But an incredible 5.1% of young adults are gender non-conforming. Following is a quote from a 3/7/23 article in AFPI (America First Policy Institute) by Jonathan Pidluzny and Alex Campana:

     Why are huge numbers of young people, for the first time in recorded history, 

     suddenly demanding radical pharmaceutical and medical interventions so that they

     can present themselves as members of the opposite sex? A leading theory that a

     social contagion has taken hold posits similarities between skyrocketing rates of

     trans-identification today and previous instances of peer contagion like anorexia.

The transgender phenomenon is a difficult modern cultural issue - more so in view of the weakening of our national system of values. Media and government authorities no longer no longer support a Christian worldview and value system. Secular values rule as never before. Court decisions cannot be counted on to support long-established Judeo-Christian behavioral norms. We plead for mercy from God to adhere to HIS divine value system      

Science Conceptions and Misconceptions

 

Who can exist without the benefits of science in this “Age of Science?” The current Age of Science in which we live has generated other Ages: technology, digital, computer, information, electronic, electromagnetic, and mechanical to name a few. Our society is immersed in positive and negative commentary about science and science-generated outcomes. 

In the 16th and 17th centuries the Christian worldview influenced the development of what has become known as the “Scientific Revolution.” In our current day the discipline of science has enhanced our lives in many ways. In most respects our lives have benefitted from the scientific endeavor. Our Science/Faith blog is predicated on the knowledge of science and how science supports belief in the Creator and in the beauty and coherence of the physical laws the Creator authored. Science, however, can be a threat to humanity—for example, when technology produces weapons of war or artificial intelligence (AI) with its frightening potential.

Industrial advertisers describe science as beneficial to our human condition. At the turn of the millennium the DuPont Company used “The Miracles of Science” in their advertising. Recently television advertisements for animal food products have stated “Science did that.” The power of science can be appropriately or inappropriately used as it was by our recently retired Chief Medical Adviser to the US president, Anthony Fauci. He boasted “I represent science.”  The use of science as a descriptor or modifier possesses both strengths and shortcomings. The terms “It’s scientific” or “Established science” could signal a variety of meanings. We are exhorted to “Follow the science.” Are there any hidden agendas in play? 

The previous three paragraphs discussed a number of issues related to the endeavor of science and the role of scientists. Even though the root word of science in several languages is knowledge, our understanding of science is more complex. The discipline of science is difficult to define for many people.

We studied the website of Science Learning Hub. Based in New Zealand, the website discussed many myths of the “nature of science.” Following is an abbreviated account of the “myths” section of the article. Along with many positive features, the site addresses cautions about the nature of science for readers’ consideration:

The Scientific Method: There is no one particular scientific method.

Experiments:  These are not the main route to scientific knowledge. They are not a commentary on ethical, moral, aesthetic, social, and metaphysical questions.

Science methods: These methods can answer amazing things, but science methodology is not a cure-all.

Proof: Science does not always provide absolute proof. 

Unchanging science: Science is not always absolute and unchanging.

Creativity: Science is often creative, not dull or boring.

Objectivity: Scientists are often influenced by their own subjective biases or preconceptions.

New ideas: Science innovators may encounter resistance from people accustomed to thinking only in a certain way.

Science modeling: Models are used to predict reality, but they are not indicators of reality.

Hypotheses: These are tentative explanations. Prior experience, background knowledge, and careful observation skills are necessary for good hypotheses formation.

Readers should not assume your author is negative concerning the beauty and benefits of science. We are intensely positive about science, especially as it amplifies our vision of reality and love for our Creator who established all physical and spiritual realities of our human existence. He is the Creator of All Things. We give thanks to Him.

 

 

               

The Science/Faith Link

Several years ago I proposed to a friend that science and personal faith are mutually supportive. I discussed the purpose of our science/faith blog and our goal of demonstrating that science discoveries strengthen personal Christian faith. My friend stated that the relationship of science and faith was an unusual link. He echoed the sentiments of many others who agree with this statement. It is almost a secular/cultural  mantra that there is a disconnect between science and faith, especially Christian faith. We reviewed one of our posts from 2008 entitled “The NOMA Principle.” We cite information from that post in the following paragraphs:

Stephen Jay Gould was a self-proclaimed agnostic paleontologist and historian of science who helped construct several support pillars of evolutionary science until his death in 2002. He is also famous for articulating the NOMA Principle. NOMA is an acronym for “Non-overlapping magisteria” (domains of knowledge.) This famous expression means science and religion are distinct and separate domains. Science should not influence religious beliefs and religious beliefs should not influence science.

Gould admits the magisteria of science and religion do not stand far apart. They “…bump right up against one another, interdigitating in wondrously complex ways along their joint border.” But according to Gould, the two domains should respect one another. “We get the age of rocks, and religion retains the rock of ages; we study how the heavens go, and they determine how to go to heaven.” 

Someone may suggest that the cell’s complexity and functionality points to a Divine Creator as an explanatory option. According to secularists in the field of science, this explanation must not be assigned credibility in the science classroom because the action of a divine Creator is a religious concept. On the other hand, naturalistic explanations of origins which deny the possibility of God’s actions are not acceptable to Christians.   

As we examine this topic its complexity becomes increasingly apparent. The subject of worldview overwhelms our understanding of the relationship of science and faith. One definition of worldview is “how we see and interpret the world.” Christian theists see science as affirming the actions of God in sustaining the coherence of matter. We quote the startling passage in Colossians 1:16-17: “For by him (Christ) all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (NIV). These verses, even in the pre-science days of New Testament authors, are a powerful commentary on reality.

Advocates of faith cite divine miracles. They cite many features of our coherent universe as examples of sustaining miracles. Secular scientists commonly see all miracles as an example of “God of the Gaps.” In other words, when we do not understand certain features of physical reality, some observers are quick to assume “God did it.” In common parlance many secular scientists believe “God of the Gaps” is a “cop-out.” People of Christian faith, however, cite sustaining miracles as the evidence of the Divine Creator, author of thousands of consistent physical laws by which we govern our lives each day.

We propose that advocates of faith in God, rather than quarantining themselves from secular scientists, should present theistic believers as wholeheartedly supportive of the science/faith interface. Kenneth Samples, a scholar with the Reasons to Believe organization, has written in his 2004 volume Without a Doubt, “Historically speaking, science and Christianity have more often been allies than enemies. The time has come to demonstrate how the Christian worldview is uniquely compatible with science, while the naturalistic worldview suffers from serious science-related inadequacies. To discover the mutual support between science and the Christian faith one may begin by reviewing the history of the scientific enterprise. A latecomer on the scene of human history, modern science emerged around the middle of the seventeenth century.” 

Science and faith are now inextricably linked. They are mutually supportive. Our prayer is that both scientists and people of faith could endorse this truth.