“Scientism” is the term assigned to that view of science which insists that science is, in short, the only way to true knowledge.

Most scientists resent those who loudly trumpet this idea, such as those apologists for atheistic science who are making a good deal of money these days on the publishing and speaking circuits. Most scientists will insist that whatever “knowledge” science can give us is both limited and tentative. It’s limited because it deals only with material reality. And it’s tentative because the very nature of science is always to be improving on what we know.

Undaunted, the advocates of scientism continue to insist that, unless science can demonstrate something to be true or necessary, it’s neither. And, since science cannot demonstrate the existence or necessity of God, He must not matter.

And, lest you think this is all very academic and distant, I remind you that the curriculum of America’s public schools is largely constructed on a basis of scientism and utilitarianism. Religion is out and the arts and history are squeezed. Philosophy is nonexistent. Meanwhile, kids are getting more math, science, and technology courses so that they can find good jobs in our materialistic economy.

Which is all rather distressing. Life is more than getting and spending, and knowing is more than what goes into a test tube, comes out of a research project, or gets one the best deal on something.

So I was cheered to read in the 25 April 2013 issue of Nature that some scientists are beginning to make room for the arts in their work, in an effort to bring a more complete perspective to light into their chosen fields of research.

According to Virginia Gewin, “Artistic interests often help scientists to enhance their own creativity in the lab.” Some scientists insist that engaging or working with artists helps them to use portions of their brains to which they otherwise might not appeal.

Other scientists are “seeking artistic tools to bolster their research.” Such tools include 3D imaging, creating studio space for artists in or near research labs, and creating informal conversational settings for artists and scientists to interact on various projects. Some funding agencies are getting involved, so grant money is beginning to stream toward various art/science interactions and projects. Universities are now offering programs which couple art and science rather than keep them entirely separate and distinct. Some young science students are interested in pursuing this interaction as a career. To them, Emory University neuroscientist Steve Potter gives the advice that they pursue their interests in art departments, since “The safest thing to do is to join a department that’s open-minded; often that is more likely to be an art department.”

I find this to be a most encouraging trend. More ways of knowing are available to us than the procedures of science can exhaust. While science certainly is able to contribute to the bank of human knowing, the arts are an important resource in as well. Things can be learned through painting, poetry, music, drama, film, and so forth that no amount of scientific research could ever discover, disclose, or confirm.

The Scriptures have always understood this. The Bible relies on a good deal of rational thought to communicate the truth of God. But it does not rely exclusively on such thinking. This is why we find so much poetry, so many images and stories, and such a large amount of metaphor in the Bible. All these ways of communicating appeal to aspects of the human soul in ways that help us learn God and His truth.

We should be encouraged to think that at least some of our contemporaries are beginning to demonstrate openness to more ways of learning about the world than just by the methods of science. The more light that can be shed on the questions that command our attention, the greater is the likelihood that we’re going to have a fuller understanding of the world and our place in it.

And who knows, if this keeps up, science and the arts might even consider allowing theologians into the conversation, for whatever light they might be able to bring from their own perspective on questions of truth and life.

But that would simply be to return to where all this great Western adventure of knowing began in the first place. The writings and teachings of theologians and philosophers from the Western Church laid the foundations for and even fueled the great advances in art, education, and the sciences which emerged out of the period of the Renaissance. There is every reason to think that such fused thinking might once again lead to breakthroughs in knowing that can benefit the world at least as much as has to this point been achieved.

Scientists don’t need to fear the arts as a potential threat to knowing. It’s good that certain scientists are beginning to realize and accept this.

And scientists and artists don’t need to fear theology, either. The Word of God is able to equip us for every good work, and science and art both have enormous potential for good. So the sooner Christians become involved in these discussions, the better it will be for us all.

Next steps: Is there a distinctly Christian way of thinking about the problems of the world and the challenges of knowing? Talk with some of your Christian friends about this question.