Science and faith: two faces of reality.

Consider the question, Why is the water boiling?

As a chemical engineer I can explain the composition of the water, the temperature and the pressure the water is under and why vapourisation of the liquid state is occuring.

I can also say the water is boiling because I want a cup of tea.

Both explanations are true. They belong to two different and equally valid areas of explanation. There is no contradiction between the two statements. They are complementary. The scientific explanation of how water boils and the explanation of purpose, why boiling water is wanted, are not in opposition to each other: they are not contradictory. We do not need to choose between them as if one is true and the other is false.

In a similar way, I believe science and Christian faith are complementary. Many scientists, and dare I mention engineers, are Christians.

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind’.  Albert Einstein