Clarity: Do I Need to Choose Between Science and Faith?

This is the third installment of our Clarity blog series, where I am us craft a Christian worldview to tackle a few of life’s big questions. So far, we’ve established that spiritual warfare calls us to rely on God and stand firm (Ephesians 6:10-20), and that the Bible is a trustworthy foundation for truth (2 Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 4:12). Now, we face a tension many feel: Do I need to choose between science and faith? 

The short answer is no—they’re not rivals but complementary tools, like a hammer and a saw in a toolbox, each serving a unique purpose in understanding God and His world.

Picture this: I’ve got a hammer in my toolbox. If I’m building a house, the hammer is essential—but it’s not enough. I can’t measure boards, cut drywall, or level walls with it. I need a tape measure, a saw, a level—multiple tools working together. 

Similarly, when constructing a worldview, we often feel pressured to pick one tool: science (the study of the physical world) or faith (belief in a reality beyond what we see). Skeptics pound away with science—“There’s no proof God exists; the Bible is just a collection of old myths”—while some Christians counter, “The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it,” pounding back with faith. But this either/or mindset misses the point. Science and faith, alongside tools like history or psychology, equip us to build a fuller picture of reality.

God’s Two Books: Creation and Scripture

Psalm 19 offers us a picture of these two tools. David writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands… Their voice goes out into all the earth” (v. 1-4). As a shepherd and fugitive king, David gazed at the stars and saw God’s fingerprints. Creation spoke to him, sparking worship. Then, in verse 7, he shifts: “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” Scripture revealed God’s character and will. For David, nature and God’s Word weren’t at odds—they both pointed to the Creator.

It is important to remember that tools can be misused. By Jesus’ time, religious leaders so idolized the Law that they missed the Messiah standing before them. Today, we’ve flipped the script—science is king. We marvel at how rainbows form (refraction of light!) but forget to ask why they’re there in the first place, losing the wonder of it all. 

The issue we face isn’t the tools; it’s how we wield them. A naturalist leans solely on science, dismissing faith. But  as Christians, we are able to embrace both, gaining insights that elude those who reject the spiritual.

Four Realities to Remember

When someone insists science and faith can’t coexist, consider these truths (inspired by a 2020 What Would You Say? video):

1. Modern Science Was Birthed by Faith
   Giants like Robert Boyle, Isaac Newton, Blaise Pascal, and Michael Faraday—devout Christians—laid science’s foundations. Their belief in an orderly, God-created universe drove them to explore it. Modern science assumes discoverable laws govern reality—a premise rooted in faith.
2. Christians Thrive in Science Today
   From 1901 to 2000, 60% of Nobel Laureates were Christians. Francis Collins, who led the Human Genome Project, is a prominent example. These believers don’t see a clash—faith fuels their scientific curiosity.
3. Science Answers ‘How,’ Faith Answers ‘Why’
   Imagine I’m at a campfire. You ask, “Why’s that wood burning?” Science says: “Pyrolysis of cellulose reacts with oxygen, producing heat and flame.” Faith says: “I was hungry and wanted supper.” Both are true—one explains mechanics, the other purpose. Science reveals how the world works; faith reveals why it exists.
4. Science Can’t Explain Everything
   It decodes nature’s laws but stumbles on origins (where did matter come from?), life’s start, or intangibles like love and morality. Faith, through Scripture, fills those gaps with meaning.

Science and faith aren’t a forced choice—they’re partners, offering a richer view of reality.

God’s Fingerprints in the World

When science and faith align it is possible to see how the heavens truly “declare His glory,” as Psalm 19 claims. Paul echoes this same idea in Romans 1:20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” 

Since we’ve established the Bible’s trustworthiness, let’s look for God’s signature in creation. Here are two examples:

1. The Fine-Tuning of the Universe
   Astronomer Hugh Ross, in Why I Am a Christian, lists 35 precise conditions—like the gravitational constant—that make our universe possible. If this gravitational constant was larger stars would be too hot and burn up quickly and unevenly. If it is smaller, stars would be so cool that nuclear fusion would not ignite, thus no heavy element production (p. 138). Add 122 life-specific factors (e.g., Earth’s axis tilt), and the odds of this “just happening” feel astronomical. It whispers design.
2. The Origin of the Eye
   In A Humble Defense, Terry Chaney highlights the eye’s complexity. Evolution struggles here— optic nerves, retinas, eyelids—all must work together from the start. No part offers an advantage alone. It’s as if a Designer crafted it whole and set it in place.

Faith sees these as God’s handiwork, not random chance.

The Big Idea: Complementary Tools

Here’s the core: Science and religion are tools that help us better understand God and the world we live in. They don’t compete—they complement. As God’s people, we should use both to grasp reality fully—science unveiling the “how” of creation, faith revealing the “why” behind it.

Your Challenge

This week, read Psalm 19 daily. Ask God to show Himself through nature (a sunset, a storm) and Scripture. Let both stir your awe and deepen your trust. We live in God’s world—science explains its mechanics, Christianity reveals its Maker.

Tying It to Our Worldview

In Clarity, we’re building a lens to see life clearly. Spiritual warfare taught us reliance on God; the Bible’s reliability gave us a foundation; now, science and faith together expand our toolkit. We don’t ditch reason for blind belief or reject discovery for dogma—we embrace both, trusting they lead us to the same God.

Prayer Response

• Thank God for creating a universe full of wonder.
• Ask Him to strengthen your faith against skepticism.
• Pray for people of faith to rise in science, showing the world His glory.

Be a Foreigner: Living Differently for King Jesus

In her devotional You’re the Voice: 40 More Days with God, Christian artist Rebecca St. James posed a timeless question:

“Do people know we’re Christians by our actions and lifestyles? Can they see a love, joy, purpose, and hope that only come from knowing Jesus? Is there a noticeable difference in us? Most importantly, what does God see when He peers into our hearts? I pray He finds the bold declaration: ‘God reigns here!’”

The word “different” can feel intimidating. It means standing out, being distinct, not blending into the crowd. Our human instinct often pushes us to fit in, to avoid the discomfort of being noticed for our faith. Standing out as a Christian in today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world can feel especially daunting.

Yet, the reality is sobering: for many of us, our lives don’t always reflect our faith. We scroll the same apps, binge the same shows, share the same memes, and chase the same trends as everyone else. Instead of boldly living for Jesus, we sometimes keep our faith private, tucked away for Sunday services or quiet moments of prayer. We might be willing to live passionately for God—but only if it doesn’t draw too much attention or invite criticism.

God calls us to something more. He calls us to be different in a way that’s impossible to hide. This difference isn’t just about attending church, joining a Bible study, or posting an occasional verse online. It’s a transformation that spills into every corner of our lives—how we speak, how we treat others, what we choose to value, and how we navigate a world that often pulls us in the opposite direction. Being different means living out God’s will, every day, in every decision.

We talk a lot about God’s will, but living it? That’s where the challenge lies. Too often, we’re tempted to ask, “How close can I get to the world’s ways without crossing the line?” Instead of pursuing holiness, we flirt with compromise, trying to balance faith with fitting in. But that’s not the life God envisions for us.

The apostle Peter reminds us:

Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.” (1 Peter 2:11-12, CSB)

Being different isn’t just about our own spiritual health—it’s about the people around us. When we live too close to the world’s edge, we risk being pulled into desires that lead us away from God. These desires are dangerous, subtle weapons Satan uses to derail us. But when we choose to live distinctly, we become a living testimony. Our choices, our kindness, our integrity point others to God. Even if they don’t believe today, Peter says our different lives plant seeds that can lead them to glorify God when Jesus returns.

In 2025, what does it look like to live as a “foreigner” for Christ? It might mean creating your social media feed to reflect hope and truth rather than division or cynicism. It could mean showing grace in a heated online debate or prioritizing real-world relationships over screen time. It’s choosing to love and serve others, even when it’s inconvenient, and standing firm in your convictions, even when it’s unpopular.

So, I challenge you: Live as a foreigner. Don’t just talk about God’s will—embrace it. Let your life be a bold, unmistakable reflection of Jesus. Ask yourself:

• Does my daily life show I follow Christ?
• Am I chasing God’s will or my own comfort?
• Am I different in a way that draws others closer to Him?

Choose today to live differently. Let the world see that God reigns in your heart.

Clarity: Can I Trust the Bible?

Welcome back to our blog series, Clarity, where we’re building a Christian worldview to navigate life’s toughest topics. In our first post, we explored spiritual warfare, learning from Ephesians 6:10-20 that our role is to rely on God and stand firm. Now, we’re tackling a foundational question: Can I trust the Bible? If we’re going to lean on Scripture to shape our understanding of reality—whether it’s spiritual battles or daily decisions—we need confidence in its reliability. Let’s dive into this with humility, recognizing I’m not an expert but a fellow traveler piecing together insights from God’s Word and solid resources. (If you’d like to dig deeper, I’ll share some recommendations at the end.)

Where Do We Turn for Answers?

Think about how we handle questions today. In 2022, Americans googled everything from “What to watch?” (109 million searches) to “Where’s my refund?” (89 million) to “How many ounces in a cup?” (32 million). Google, Siri, and Alexa are our go-to problem-solvers. But as Christians, when we face questions about God, the world, or what it means to follow Jesus, we’re called to a different source: the Bible. It’s not just a book of ancient stories—it’s God’s guide for His people.

Paul, writing to his protégé Timothy, puts it this way in 2 Timothy 3:14-17: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of… how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Paul’s point? The Bible equips us with truth to live rightly—but only if we trust it. That’s why this question matters. Since much of our worldview hinges on Scripture, we need to establish its trustworthiness upfront.

Two Truths to Frame Our Approach

Before we dive into evidence, let’s anchor ourselves with two key truths about the Bible. First, as Dan Kimball writes in How (Not) to Read the Bible, “The Bible was written for us, not to us.” It’s God’s truth for His people, but we aren’t the original audience. Take Genesis 1:1—“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Our modern picture of the cosmos differs from an Israelite’s 3,000 years ago. Or consider Leviticus, where bats are listed among unclean “birds”—their categories don’t match ours. When something feels confusing, it’s often a signal we’re missing the original context. That’s not a flaw; it’s an invitation to dig deeper.

Second, every word in our Bible is translated. From Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek to English, teams of scholars labor to preserve the text’s meaning. Are nuances lost? Sometimes. But their commitment ensures we can trust the Bibles we hold. So, with these truths in mind—context matters, and translation is reliable—let’s explore why we can trust Scripture.

Three Lines of Evidence

To build confidence in the Bible, we’ll look at three pillars: manuscript evidence, archaeological evidence, and cohesion evidence.

1. Manuscript Evidence: A Wealth of Copies
   When evaluating ancient texts, scholars ask: How many copies exist, and how close are they to the originals? Compare the Bible to other ancient works. Caesar’s Gallic Wars? Ten manuscripts. Homer’s Iliad? 643. The Old Testament boasts over 11,000 manuscripts, while the New Testament has 5,700—far more than any ancient text. Even better, some New Testament manuscripts date within 100 years of their writing, while other classics were copied centuries later. With so many copies—fragments to full texts—scholars can cross-check them. The result? The New Testament is 99.5% accurate, and the Old Testament is remarkably consistent. This isn’t a game of telephone; it’s a carefully preserved record.
2. Archaeological Evidence: History Confirmed
   Archaeology keeps uncovering the Bible’s historical roots. Take the Mesha Stele, discovered in 1868 but newly analyzed in January 2023. This stone recounts King Mesha of Moab warring with Israel, aligning with 2 Kings 3, and mentions the “House of David” and Israel’s God. Or consider a 2007 find: a monument celebrating Hezekiah’s pools in Jerusalem, echoing 2 Kings 20:20. Then there’s a tiny lead tablet from Mount Ebal, excavated decades ago but only recently readable via CAT scan. Dated 1200-1400 BC, it bears a curse—“Cursed, cursed, cursed—cursed by the God YHW”—matching Joshua 8’s account. These are just snapshots; hundreds of discoveries affirm the Bible’s historical reliability.
3. Cohesion Evidence: A Unified Story
   Spanning centuries, penned by dozens of authors, the Bible tells one cohesive story: God’s plan to redeem creation through Jesus. From Genesis 3:15’s promise of a serpent-crusher to Genesis 12’s call to Abraham, from Israel’s role to Jesus’ arrival, and the Gospel spreading worldwide—it’s seamless. Its moral core—“Love God, love people”—threads through Old and New Testaments. God’s heart for Gentiles shines in both the prophets and Acts. This unity across time and cultures is extraordinary, a testament to divine guidance.

The Bible’s Living Power

Hebrews 4:12 adds another layer: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The Bible doesn’t just inform—it reveals truth we’d miss otherwise. It shows us God, exposes the world’s brokenness, and unveils our own hearts. When we trust it, it shapes us into God’s people.

The Big Idea: Trustworthy Truth for Life

Here’s the takeaway: We can trust the Bible to give us the truth we need to live as God’s people. It’s not like other ancient books—its preservation, historical backing, and unified narrative set it apart. We can be confident this is the book God intended for us.

Your Challenge

So, what’s next? Find a Bible reading plan and start engaging with Scripture. Whether it’s a “Bible in a Year” plan or a slower dive into a single book, let God’s Word speak. It’s not just reliable—it’s alive, ready to guide you into truth.

Why This Matters for Our Worldview

In our Clarity series, we’re constructing a Christian worldview. Last time, we saw spiritual warfare requires reliance on God. Now, we’ve established the Bible as our trustworthy foundation. It’s not Google or cultural trends we turn to—it’s Scripture, revealing reality as God sees it. As we move forward, this confidence will anchor us through life’s tough topics.

Resources to Explore:

• How (Not) to Read the Bible by Dan Kimball
• The Bible Project (videos and podcasts)
• Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell

The First Step Toward God

“The first step toward God is a step away from the lies of the world. It is a renunciation of the lies we have been told about ourselves and our neighbors and our universe.” — Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, p. 29

A World Drenched in Lies

We live in a world full of  lies. They zip through our news feeds, hum beneath casual conversations, and flash across billboards and screens. These lies are dangerous, whispering that we’re not enough—too flawed to be loved, too broken to be whole, too ordinary to make a difference. 

These lies  don’t stop at us; they bring harm to our communities, breeding suspicion and resentment among neighbors. They paint the universe as a cold, chaotic void, therefore we need to do what we can to find a little bit of joy in our lives. 

Yet, as Eugene Peterson so insightfully writes, the journey to God, and the life He created us to live, begins when we turn our backs on this chaotic noise and renounce the falsehoods we’ve swallowed whole.

Isaiah’s Unraveling Moment

Scripture offers a vivid picture of this turning point in the prophet Isaiah’s story found in chapter 6. Imagine the scene: Isaiah stands trembling before a vision of God—enthroned in splendor, His robe filling the temple, seraphim chanting “Holy, holy, holy.” The sight shatters him. “Woe is me!” he cries. “I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5, ESV). In that moment, Isaiah sees himself without a filter: a sinner, frail and unworthy, standing before infinite holiness. In spite of this new knowledge he doesn’t flee. Rather, Isaiah takes that first, courageous step toward God by confessing his sin.

Grace That Transforms

The next scene is nothing short of amazing. A seraphim (a type of heavenly being) lifts a glowing coal from the altar, presses it to Isaiah’s lips, and declares, “Your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for” (Isaiah 6:7, ESV). This is the breathtaking promise of that first step: when we reject the lies and confess our need, God responds with grace—cleansing, restoring, redeeming. It’s a moment of divine work, turning shame into acceptance, despair into hope.

A Deliberate Shift

This step—away from the world’s distortions and toward God’s truth—isn’t a single, dramatic leap. It’s a slow, intentional shift, a reorientation of the heart that ripples through our lives. It demands we face hard truths: about the pride we’ve nursed, the envy we’ve harbored, the illusions we’ve built to feel secure. The lies we’ve believed—about our worth, our purpose, our neighbors—might feel like reality, helping us make sense of life. But they’re a blindfold intended to keep us living in the dark. To renounce them, as Peterson suggests, is to step into a wild, uncharted freedom—a life rooted in love, wisdom, and the gracious presence of God.

Echoes Across Scripture

Isaiah’s experience isn’t an anomaly. The Bible is filled with stories of these stories. Moses, a political fugitive, stood before a burning bush and heard God call him to lead (Exodus 3). David, a shepherd boy turned abuser and murderer, wept in Psalm 51 for a clean heart—and found it. Mary, a young woman of no status, said yes to an impossible calling (Luke 1:38). Paul, once a persecutor, met Christ on a dusty road and was remade (Acts 9). Each faced their own inadequacy, their own tangle of lies, and stepped toward God anyway. Each found Him waiting—faithful, gracious, redeeming.

The Courage to Keep Walking

This journey isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes courage to peel back the layers of deception we’ve worn like armor. It takes persistence to keep walking when the world’s noise crescendos again and again. But it’s worth it. 

As we move away from lies and toward God, we uncover a life unshackled from shame, bitterness, or isolation. We encounter a God who doesn’t just meet us once but guides us, step by step, into a reality truer and more beautiful than the world’s fleeting promises. So let’s take that first step today—however shaky, however small—and trust Him to lead us on.