Science and Religion Intersecting at Awe

Armodoxy for Today: Intersecting at Awe

The theory of evolution is often thought of as anathema to people of faith, and vice versa. Evolution appeals to science, to facts and experience to explain process, while religion is based on belief systems that do not necessarily have to pass tests or experimentation.

Armodoxy has no problem melding science and religion together because it points to the moment of awe that is at the intersection of both. The awe that inspires man to look up at the stars, or to the depths of the oceans, to ask, what? where? and why? These questions are the same ones that move a mother and father to tears at the first sight of the miracle of life in a birthing room. They are the same questions that moved the pen of thinkers, philosophers and theologians who saw the futility of war in solving disagreement and wrote about peace. And ultimately, they are the same questions that arose when looking at the Love that Christ brought in his example and his rejection by humanity. What? Where? Why? Both science and religion attempt to answer these questions and the others that are tethered to them.

Awe is what moves men to think, ponder, reflect, discuss, build and create. Evolution is the descriptor of that movement. Everything that is living evolves. And that which is dead, decays. Living or dead, the physical changes – evolves or decays. The spirit breathes on. The list of scientists and theologians intersect where the human mind is not intimidated by the awe of life. Life is awesome, and life is awful, that is full of moments of awe.

Albert Einstein reflects “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom the emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand wrapped in awe, is as good as dead —his eyes are closed. The insight into the mystery of life, coupled though it be with fear, has also given rise to religion. To know what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive forms—this knowledge, this feeling is at the center of true religiousness.”

We end today with a simple prayer of acknowledgement by the mystic of the Armenian Church, a man who only recently (2015) was named a Doctor of the Roman Catholic Church, St. Gregory of Narek.

Lord, my Lord, grantor of gifts, root of goodness, ruler of all equally, creator of all from nothing, glorified, awesome, awe inspiring, beyond understanding… through you, O merciful Lord, all things, in all ways, for all people, are possible. To you glory here, now and forever and in the eternity to come on the great day of revelation. Amen.