When Pope Francis issued his encyclical Laudato si, some of his critics attacked his credentials as a religious leader presuming to speak authoritatively on matters of science. Underlying these attacks is the pretense that there are some parts of creation or human endeavor that are beyond the purview of moral consideration, of faith-full discipleship in words and action, or of God’s concern for what ultimately belongs to God – the whole of creation. These attacks are basically attempts to constrain God and God’s prophetic witnesses by carving out imaginary dominions and principalities in which God has no business and over which God has no authority. No such places exist.
The alleged conflict between religion and science is a contrivance. In this situation, the contrivance is an attempt to mute inconvenient moral and practical considerations that may reflect poorly on certain human behavior or profitable interests. In other situations, the contrivance may serve those launching ideological attacks on religious faith in general; for example, when people make absolute claims about science or scientific method as the sole paradigm for understanding reality, including moral questions, relationships between peoples, and the relationship between people and the rest of creation. The contrivance may also serve the interests of those pursuing misguided counter-attacks against the deification of science by constructing pseudo-scientific dogma in a tit-for-tat exchange that distorts the legitimate natures of both science and faith.
The Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science, and Technology is dedicated to expanding awareness and promoting conversation about the implications of science and technology for Christian faith and life.
The Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science, and Technology is an independent Lutheran organization recognized by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with liaison through the Theological Discernment Team in the Office of the Presiding Bishop. Its membership includes scientists, science teachers, rostered leaders (clergy and lay), and other interested lay people.
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