Uniting Truth in Science and Faith Through Good Explanation

As someone who has journeyed both through the worlds of science and Christian faith, I’ve come to recognize remarkable similarities in the ways we search for truth in both realms. Whether we’re asking empirical questions in pursuit of scientific understanding or existential ones while exploring our spirituality, we’re ultimately seeking explanations that are strong and well-founded. This makes the concept of good explanation a universal bridge between these two domains, both necessary for navigating life.

Embracing the Principle of Testability in Science

As highlighted in my previous reflections on the power of good explanations, the principle of testability is foundational in science. Testability refers to the ability to scrutinize a theory through experiments or observations, to either support or refute claims. Whether we’re dealing with physics, biology, or even the social sciences, the assertion is that truths about the natural world require verification.

Scientific progress has depended on a system where accurate theories remain while inaccurate ones are discarded through empirical tests. Testability is crucial for explaining the laws of nature, but this principle applies in other aspects of human inquiry as well.

The Importance of Testability in Faith

If we shift our viewpoint to faith, particularly Christianity’s teachings, we discover a similar hunger for good explanations. Jesus often used parables to reveal spiritual truths. Although these stories weren’t “testable” in the scientific sense, they offered explanations that reflect profound moral and existential realities that are hard to vary—a key characteristic of good explanations.

For example, the Parable of the Good Samaritan isn’t a theory we can prove through an experiment, but it speaks powerfully to enduring principles of compassion and justice, truths woven into the very fabric of human morality. This leads us to a critical insight: while testable explanations are key in science, in other fields like faith, morality, and aesthetics, explanations may not be empirically measurable, yet they still hold objective value.

Applying the Principle of Good Explanation

One of the most interesting aspects of both faith and science is how they rely on the broader principle of a good explanation. A good explanation is one that is difficult to alter without breaking its core logic. This applies across all fields of human knowledge, from the beauty of a mathematical theorem to the moral teachings of Christ.

A beautiful aspect of this idea was articulated in previous articles, where I explored living out our faith in everyday life. Similarly, just as in science where a theory that explains the most and requires the fewest assumptions tends to prevail, in our spiritual lives, the teachings of Christ offer an explanation of the moral universe that resonates deeply across cultures and generations. It accounts for the mysteries of human existence in ways that are hard to vary and yet provide profound guidance.

In many ways, good explanations are about uncovering deeper truths that align with the complexities of life. Just as we steadily improve our understanding of scientific principles through experimentation, reflection on scripture and prayer can deepen our understanding of God’s will and our role in His creation.

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On Moral and Aesthetic Truths: Subjective or Objective?

One challenging, yet fascinating idea I encountered on my journey is the question of whether truths in fields like morality and aesthetics can be objective. Morality is often written off as subjective, akin to a taste in music or preference for a certain art style. However, after years of travel and witnessing suffering in various cultures, I’ve realized that some things remain universally true across moral and aesthetic experiences.

This idea parallels the great thinker Jacob Bronowski’s view, who argued that you cannot separate science from moral and ethical truth. Science and faith both require us to hold certain values such as honesty, integrity, and humility if we are to make progress. These moral structures aren’t merely cultural, but are genuinely true elements of how humans thrive. In essence, we’re acknowledging their objective truth even if science doesn’t measure them the same way it measures gravity.

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Connecting Faith and Morality

Going back to my Christian journey, I’ve seen this connection between objective moral truth and scriptural teachings. Jesus profoundly integrates morality into His parables—the stories are filled with lessons on justice, forgiveness, and compassion that have rung true across centuries. These moral truths aren’t subject to personal preference but reflect undeniable aspects of human life and flourishing.

It is precisely through God’s creation, justice, and love that we find the ultimate good explanation for why we should act morally. This too is hard to vary: how we choose to live out our compassion, kindness, and forgiveness can have different expressions, but the moral foundations themselves are unshakeable.

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The Greatest Explanation: Working Together for God’s Creation

All of these principles—whether from science or faith—eventually point us toward a holistic stewardship for both our knowledge and actions. I’ve often reflected that stewardship isn’t just about guiding technological or scientific advancements; it’s about making decisions deeply aligned with biblical teachings on compassion for the earth and its people.

There is an inherent moral responsibility in everything we learn and create. Whether I’m engaging with artificial intelligence in my professional life or wrestling with questions of social justice from my travels, my faith calls me to ensure that the technologies and systems I support are aimed at the greater good—not merely utilitarian goals, but those grounded in human dignity and justice as reflected in the teachings of Christ.

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Conclusion: Bridging Faith and Science Through Good Explanation

As I wrap up these reflections, I realize that the threads of good explanation run throughout both my scientific and faith journeys. Whether it’s the testable theories of physics or the moral clarity found in Christ’s teachings, we’re continually striving to better understand an ordered universe created by God.

In both domains, the truths we find hold up to scrutiny when they’re hard to vary and still make sense in their respective areas. Ultimately, acknowledging the connection between good explanation and truth across science and faith enables us to live with greater meaning and purpose, aligning our lives with God’s love and wisdom.

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