Unifying Faith and Knowledge: The Principle of Good Explanation

In both my professional and spiritual pursuits, I’ve often grappled with how to reconcile apparent contradictions between faith and reason. As someone deeply invested in the principles of science, technology, and artificial intelligence, the rigor of “testability” is ingrained in how I approach the world. However, as a Christian, I also believe in truths that transcend what we can readily measure and quantify. Through years of reflection and study, I’ve come to center much of this reconciliation on one profound concept—the principle of “good explanation.”

The Principle of Good Explanation in Science and Faith

The term “good explanation” may be unfamiliar to some, but it is critical in multiple disciplines. In science, it refers to an idea that explains something in a way that is “hard to vary.” This means any good explanation must account for the facts while resisting being changed into a contradictory or alternative theory just to suit different agendas. You see this principle in physics, biology, and even social sciences, where theories are tested and retested, with an emphasis on preserving the integrity of original data and the results of these tests.

However, what’s most fascinating is its role beyond empirical data. In my opinion—and this may resonate with many who struggle with reconciling faith and science—the principle of good explanation also unites spiritual truths with knowledge, offering us insight into less tangible domains such as aesthetics, morality, and faith. Just as scientific theories are governed by principles that hold everything together, so too are spiritual truths. While these principles might not always be “testable” in the empirical sense, they are subject to rational analysis, a cornerstone of any good explanation.

Faith and Testability: Where Do They Intersect?

The principle of testability is foundational in scientific endeavors. It insists that ideas about the natural world must be confirmed or refuted through observation and testing. But in matters of faith, many question the relevance of this principle. How can the truths of Christianity, for instance, be “tested”?

This is where I believe testability, though essential, is but a subset of good explanation, as it doesn’t always apply to all fields of knowledge. Yes, the laws of physics are written in the language of mathematics, and yes, these laws are testable. However, the laws of aesthetics—our ability to appreciate beauty and art—are not. Consider a scenario: I may favor Mozart while you prefer Brahms. These preferences are real facts about our lives, but they aren’t testable in a scientific sense. That doesn’t mean they’re void of truth; they simply follow the rational guidelines of a good explanation differently.

As C.S. Lewis once remarked, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world” (Source). Such reflections show us that truth exists beyond empirical verification.

Morality and Aesthetics: Bridging the Gap

If good explanations go beyond science and touch on art and morality, then what does this imply about our spiritual lives? The Bible challenges us with moral claims that, while sometimes difficult to “test” in the scientific sense, are central to human existence. Concepts like justice, love, and forgiveness operate under the framework of good explanation because they are rooted in consistent ethical principles rather than arbitrary suggestions.

Even modern scholars reflect on this intersection between science and the principles guiding morality. Take, for example, David Deutsch’s “The Beginning of Infinity,” in which he argues that good explanations exist in multiple realms: from the testable laws of science to the realms of philosophy and ethics (Source). According to Deutsch, whether we’re navigating the natural world or moral decisions, seeking truth through a good explanation is a unifying factor. Thus, while we may not always “test” the moral teachings of Jesus, they hold up as standards of goodness because they offer a consistent and rational guide for how we interact with each other and the world.

The Unseen Connections

The desire to unify all knowledge—whether scientific, moral, or artistic—has been pursued by thinkers in fields as diverse as philosophy, religion, and science proper. Even the desire for creating a “General Systems Theory” that incorporates aspects of all forms of knowledge is driven by humanity’s innate curiosity to understand how things work together.

In this pursuit, we observe connections between different domains that may not be obvious at first. For instance, in political science, the idea of good governance is comparable to the principle of testability in scientific theories. Governments, like theories, should be structured in a way that allows for accountability and change. This echoes the democratic principle proposed by the philosopher Karl Popper in his advocacy for “piecemeal social engineering,” a method that seeks to build systems that can correct themselves over time without causing large-scale destruction or chaos (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy).

The Role of Good Explanation in Christian Theology

In reflecting on previous articles mentioned in the “Key Theological Developments” section of our blog, it becomes clearer that the principle of good explanation has always had a place in theological discourse. Take, for instance, the early church debates surrounding the nature of Christ and the Trinity—discussions driven by a deep commitment to finding an explanation consistent with Scripture but also one that accounted for the lived revelations of the Christian community. The Creeds, which emerged from these debates, serve as resilient theological “theories” that have withstood centuries because they offer explanations hard to vary without distorting their core meanings.

From early Christology to modern debates about the ethics of artificial intelligence, seeking a good explanation is crucial in ensuring that faith remains both true to its past and relevant to our future. As we face further scientific advancements, such as the potential moral dilemmas AI might bring, the church needs to embrace a principle-centric approach to ensure that explanations in these new fields are aligned with our enduring sense of truth.

Conclusion: Embracing the Journey

For me, neither science nor faith offers absolute certainty in all things. But both offer paths to uncovering truths that matter deeply—truths shaped by the principle of good explanation. Whether we’re coding algorithms or contemplating scripture, we are engaged in the same search for explanations that resonate with the heart of reality.

The apostles’ words mirror those of the scientist in the lab: “Test everything; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, NIV). And in that spirit of testing and explaining, we strive toward a greater understanding of both the world around us and the spiritual truths that guide our lives.

Let us continue this journey, not as adversaries of reason or faith, but as seekers of deep explanations—grounded in the reality of God’s creation and the pursuit of knowledge He has placed within our world.

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