Our culture loves to pigeonhole, label and “straw-man” nearly everything it disagrees with. Which means, if you’re a miracle-believing Christian, then in the eyes of a growing demographic, you are branded a “science denier.” And in 21st century western culture, because of the high value placed upon “science,” that’s among the worst things you could be accused of. But foundational Christian teachings such as the incarnation, death, burial and resurrection of Christ, will earn you the badge faster than just about any transgression.

Acceptance of the Biblical narrative causes many non-theists to view Christians as “irrational.” They conclude that the Christian’s faith “does not align with clearly established science.” The Bible speaks of miraculous events, and miracles are difficult (at best) to support scientifically. Therefore, Christian, you’re a “science denier.” For some Christians, the moniker is (strangely) worn as a badge. But for the larger majority, once labeled, many will back quietly away from the conversation. Why engage when you’re going to be branded and stigmatized?

Science is the new faith and doctrine of many naturalists. For them, Christians (i.e., “science deniers”) probably believe the Earth is flat, and that we didn’t go to the Moon too. In fact, if you listen to some skeptics, in their perspective, Christianity is the greatest of all conspiracy theories to be foisted upon us throughout history. But as you probe a bit deeper, one must ask, do not many naturalistic atheists also deny (certain) science? Do not many that hold to strong “left-of-center” political and social views, and often pride themselves as having progressed beyond “belief,” do this as well?

Non-theist naturalists deny (certain) science too.

Perhaps deny is too strong a word. “Selective,” where science is concerned is probably more appropriate.

Take as a first example a TED talk I watched some time ago called * “The History of the World in 18 Minutes.” In the opening minute of the well-produced talk, presenter David Christian (ironic last name) grips the viewer’s attention with a video of scrambling an egg. But the mind quickly registers an inconsistency. The egg, which at first appeared to be scrambled was actually reconstituting, from scrambled, to a whole egg. As it does, Christian narrates:

“…We all know in our heart of hearts that this is not the way the universe works. A scrambled egg is mush—tasty mush—but it’s mush. An egg is a beautiful, sophisticated thing that can create even more sophisticated things, such as chickens. And we know in our heart of hearts that the universe does not travel from mush to complexity. In fact, this gut instinct is reflected in one of the most fundamental laws of physics, the second law of thermodynamics, or the law of entropy. What that says basically is that the general tendency of the universe is to move from order and structure to lack of order, lack of structure—in fact, to mush. And that’s why that video feels a bit strange.”

To that point, the theist is tracking perfectly with Christian. But he continues:

“So here’s a great puzzle: In a universe ruled by the second law of thermodynamics, how is it possible to generate the sort of complexity I’ve described, the sort of complexity represented by you and me and the convention center? Well, the answer seems to be, the universe can create complexity, but with great difficulty.”

Entropy. It’s “one of the most fundamental laws of physics.” Miracle. “A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws.” David Christian’s presentation doesn’t jive with one of the most fundamental laws of physics. It doesn’t align with “science.” It sounds a lot like a miracle. But that doesn’t change his naturalistic conviction. Is he a science denier?

A second example. The science is becoming clearer every day. Life begins at conception. Call it a fetus all you want. It is not—as was wrongly assumed 50 years ago—just a “clump of tissue.” As ultrasound technology has refined, and the ability to study in utero child development has advanced, it has become increasingly difficult to conclude that a fetus is not a human life.

To this reality, many non-theist naturalists have chosen to call the fetus a “potential human being.” But they refuse to ascribe “personhood” to the unborn child. Some sociologists even argue for extending non-personhood beyond birth! Apparently, it’s legitimate to deny clear medical and biological science when it fits with a social position. This seems like scientific malpractice for the sake of strongly held personal or political convictions. Or perhaps social science is higher on the hierarchy of value than biological or medical science? It appears that grant dollars and media space think so.

Consider a third example. Gender studies departments, in the humanities sector (again, within the social sciences) of the modern western “church”—the university—have promulgated theories that are in outright, and even hostile opposition, to extensively researched and peer-reviewed biological science regarding sex. What becomes very clear when you begin reading the publications from these institutions is that they love to attach the word “science,” or better yet “established science” to anything that has received grant dollars and has been researched according to a scientific method. Then, if anyone speaks up with counterfactuals, even scientifically researched ones, they are lambasted and labeled “junk science.”

For most people, ideology and political persuasion trumps science.

Let’s be very clear, politics is the new religion of the West. In the United States there are two state denominations (i.e.parties), and within those denominations, many factions and networks. And although a large segment of theistically minded individuals (who often lean right politically) are accused of science denial as a result of their beliefs, those that adhere to the religion of Leftism, fight ardently for worldview positions that, also, do not align with many of the sciences. They too do so because of ideology. Generally, this ideology has been birthed and has grown through the evangelical and discipleship efforts of higher education. Especially the humanities. So why the pejorative labeling?

Agreeing to disagree, agreeably.

I suggest that neither the theistically minded Christian or the atheistically minded naturalist are necessarily science deniers. Science isn’t a worldview to deny. It’s a methodology of hypothesis, observation and experimentation, to discover the legitimacy of our worldview. But such scientific endeavor is always biased by preliminary assumptions. In other words, you can use “science” to “prove” a lot of different things. Just like wrongly interpreted, or out-of-context Biblical study can be used to approve all kinds of abhorrent positions.

To my leftist and non-believing friends—and I do have them—let’s dispense with the nonsensical ad-hominem attacks, labeling people “science deniers.” As if that somehow ends the debate. Let’s agree that in the hierarchy of values you (and we) have elevated, or the convictions (be they religious, ideological or political) we maintain, that they are more ideological and religious than scientific. Which means that we need to return to a rigorous debate of ideas, evidenced by logic and science-based rationale. Let’s acknowledge that conversations that descend toward character assault and bluster rarely produce anything worthwhile and are typically employed when one has no further winning argument.

^{* CalvaryChapel.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with every outside source attached amongst these diverse pieces of content. By providing these sources, we hope to help you stay informed of important events, conversations and ideas taking place in the world that are relevant to the Christian faith.}

“A rash of school shootings” has people scratching their heads wondering why. Many locate the problem primarily in America’s love of guns. Each new campus tragedy becomes a rallying point in the call for gun control legislation. Gun owners and Second Amendment advocates push back. The debate degenerates into name calling and useless vitriol.

Now we hear of an emerging epidemic of suicide. While a number of experts have been calling attention to the problem for a while, the recent deaths of two celebrities, Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, has moved the issue to center stage.

I don’t think the increasing frequency of school shootings and suicides are disconnected.

I believe they find their origin in the same cause. Are guns the problem, as many propose? A little online sleuthing does indeed indicate the USA has the highest per capita gun ownership by a wide margin over most other countries. But that rate hasn’t increased markedly over the last 40 years. Yes, there are a lot more guns. But there are also a lot more people. So, per capita fire arm ownership hasn’t increased significantly. A remarkable statistic asserts only 3% of the entire population owns half of all fire arms! Of that 3% a statistically insignificant fraction are involved in mass shootings, such as took place in 2017 at the Route 91 Music Festival in Las Vegas. Yet school and mass shooting incidents were unheard of 40 years ago, though per capita gun ownership was virtually identical to today.

So, what changed?

Secular pundits look for causes in economics, politics and sociological trends. They ignore the spiritual dimension, because it’s regarded as a non-starter. Religion is neglected as a viable paradigm for consideration in social trends in the modern world. It’s only place of relevance for secular moderns is as a curiosity of ancient history and a handicapping hiccup to the advance of enlightened progressivism.

In order to cure a malady, the right diagnosis is required. As long as sociologists and policy makers ignore the spiritual nature of humans, they’ll miss an important ingredient that shapes society. They’ve done so in understanding the root cause of both mass shootings and the rising tide of suicide.

I propose what’s changed over the last half century is a hollowing out of the transcendent in modern society.

The State-sponsored public school system from kindergarten through university has promulgated a materialistic worldview that’s told people they are little more than grown up germs. Mistakes. Pure chance. The fortuitous combination of chemical reactions that produced self-replicating organic machines. But there is no real purpose to their existence, no significance to their 80 or so years. The best they can hope for is to feel alive. So, do whatever you want, because—well, why not? No one’s ultimately going to judge you, because molecules can’t be right or wrong; they just are.

Is it any wonder people shaped by such ideas slip a noose around their neck or swallow a bottle of pills when their pain seems inescapable?

Deep inside, something irresistibly human, something originally God-imaged, rises up against such materialistic notions. It says, “No! I reject that. I mean something.” It’s that inner voice that prompts many to live as though they are significant and that their life does matter. They strive to achieve something lasting, something worthwhile. But in some, that voice turns dark. It rages against the injustice of feeling significant when the system’s worldview tells them they aren’t. They rebel against the convenient contradiction of modern society: “You’re the product of mindless evolution. So get a degree and make something of yourself.” Their inner turmoil boils over into lashing out at the system. They are in pain and want others to feel it. Since no one seems to care about them, they’ll attack others to spread their misery.

What’s changed is the core worldview that shapes modern society.

The Judeo-Christian worldview that framed Western Civilization was replaced by a secular and materialistic worldview a century ago following the horrors of the First World War. It took several decades for the forward momentum of the Judeo-Christian worldview to slow. World War II brought it to a halt. It’s last fumes are now spent and secularism prevails.

The remedy is found in something I shared in my last article. What’s needed is a wholesale return to God and His Word. But that’s not something any church or group can engineer. It requires a mighty, soul-shaking, life-transforming move of God’s Spirit bringing revival.