Philosophy of Teaching Science

Teaching science in a Christian school requires a basic knowledge of the subject matter and a thorough Biblical framework and Christian world view.  Truth will always agree with the Bible, that which does not must be held in suspicion or rejected outright.

Science is the systematic study of God’s creation (Genesis 1:1).  The information of science is based on man’s observations.  That which cannot be observed directly or indirectly by man’s senses is beyond the realm of science and properly falls into speculation or philosophy.  The practical use of science is termed technology.  An understanding of both science and technology is essential since both disciplines depend upon each other.

Christians needs to study science for the following reasons:

• God has revealed Himself in His creation (Romans 1:20, 21).  Thereby, we learn something about the attributes of God in His creation:  His workmanship in design, wisdom, omnipotence, sovereignty and the laws which govern the world and the universe.
• We can gain an appreciation for God and His creation (Psalm 19).
• Rightly understood in the context of the Bible, studying science will keep us from worshipping the creation instead of the Creator (Romans 1:20, 25).
  We learn to appreciate the accuracy of the Bible i.e. Jeremiah 33:22 (stars are innumerable), Ecclesiastes 1:6 (wind patterns are cyclical); Genesis 1:2 (the origins of the world, living creatures and man).
• Many men of science in the past looked for and found evidences of their Creator as they studied nature.  Robert Boyle, Michael Faraday, Lord Kelvin, Johannes Kepler  and James Clark Maxwell are but a few men of renown who reported their discoveries in a manner that “emphasized the greatness and goodness of the Creator” rather than their own greatness.
• The study of science develops the self disciplines in making careful observations, controlling operating conditions, proceeding logically and recording data neatly and in an orderly way. “A better regulated person” should result in this process, manifesting itself in care and concern in carrying out all his work.

For all students of science, a better knowledge and understanding of technology, current events, metric measurement, and the physical laws of the universe will help him function better and more enjoyably in the world in which he lives.  For some, specialized vocational training in science will allow him to compete in higher education and to contribute in both quality research and a Christian philosophical interpretation of that research; thereby having a Christian witness to a relativistic scientific community.

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