Science, The Bible and Dinosaur Bones

Spirituality Column - #16 - Feb . 27, 2007
Current! In Carmel newspaper

Science, The Bible and Dinosaur Bones

By Bob Walters

What is science if not the search for God?

Science is the study of how things work and why things are. How long can you study the cosmos before you realize that, a) it can’t possibly be an accident, and b) Darwin can’t explain how the dirt got here?

That’s the punch line to an old joke about the world’s smartest scientist who challenges God’s uniqueness as Creator. “I can create life,” says the scientist. “Oh? How?” says God. The scientist says “It’s easy. You just take some dirt and ….”

God interrupts, “Where are you going to get your dirt?”

Science and religion should be separate, a USA Today article by Tom Krattenmaker Feb. 4 said, because Creationism is so, well, stupid. I thought the article read like a long-winded excuse for sleeping in Sunday mornings.

Science and religion are different, sure; but they aren’t mutually exclusive. I can have God, the Bible, and a pile of dinosaur bones and see no conflict whatsoever. God and God’s word are perfect, and the dinosaur bones are sitting right there.

Just because we can’t figure everything out doesn’t mean dinosaurs obviate God and the Bible (or vice versa). That’s our problem, not God’s.

Religion is how I find God in my heart; science is how I find God in creation. What’s wrong with that? He wants us to discover him; he just doesn’t make it easy.

What I think is hilarious is how scientists are perceived to be busily working against the idea of God, when what many scientists come up with is a healthy appreciation for God.

The Grand Canyon probably did take millions of years to be cut (I wasn’t there so I can’t be sure), but when I see the Grand Canyon, I think of God, not Darwin.

Walters, a Carmel resident at rlwcom@aol.com, sees God as a fact of all life.