Ep 134: How can these scientists believe in God?

It's National Science week and it's often popular to see a conflict between science and the Christian faith. So we speak with six real scientists who share their stories and reflections on the relationship of science to God and what persuaded them to believe in something bigger.

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Bigger Questions asked in the show

It’s popular to see a conflict between science and the Christian faith. So today we’re exploring some of the perceived conflicts and challenges between belief in God and modern science by talking with a number of real scientists who believe in God.

We’re going to hear from a number of the scientists we’ve had on the show before, but we’re also going to include some new material not previously released.

Dr Michael and Dr Christina Smith

We start with Dr’s Michael and Christina Smith. Dr. Michael Smith is a marine biologist and has a PhD in zoology from the University of Melbourne. Dr. Christina Smith has a PhD in Astrophysics from Swinburne University.

And I posed them this problem. I said that you’re both scientists - how could you be Christian believers? There are people who would claim that people like you can’t exist, that science and Christian faith are incompatible? We join them with Michael’s response…

Dr Simon Angus

The next scientist is Dr. Simon Angus. Simon is an associate professor of Economics at Monash University. He’s described himself as a ‘specialist generalist’ having trained across the arts, physical and social sciences. So I asked him what convinced him to become a Christian believer…

Dr Jonathan Clarke

My next scientist is Dr. Jonathan Clarke. He’s an astrogeologist and the president of the Mars Society Australia. I posed him a question which was raised by American atheist biologist and blogger PZ Myers who once gave a talk entitled: Scientists! If You're Not an Atheist, You Aren't Doing Science Right! PZ Myers says that religion isn’t compatible with science. So I asked Jonathan if he was conflicted when he does science as a believer?

Dr Jennifer Wiseman

Our next scientist is one of the world’s leading astronomers. Dr. Jennifer Wiseman. I asked what convinced her to believe in Christianity..

Dr Luke Barnes

At the same conversation we recorded with Jennifer we also spoke with Dr. Luke Barnes who is a postdoctoral researcher in astronomy and cosmology. I asked him about the relationship of his belief in God and science and what convinced him of his Christian faith?

So let me leave you with what one scientist thought in relation to his science and his faith in God. From Isaiah 40:26

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.