Taking every thought captive for obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10.5)

Disciplines
Science
Philosophers and thinkers refer to a theory as “elegant” when it explains the world consistently, congruently, and completely. Theories are regarded as inelegant and are set aside in favor of something more when their explanatory power begins to be suspect.

Philosophical systems and worldviews once considered “elegant” have been abandoned when other voices, offering more complete and consistent explanations of the world, begin to be heard. We no longer believe the earth to be flat, for example, or that it is the center of the universe.

Sometimes, however, the search for a more elegant theory or worldview can emerge, even before a viable alternative to the existing narrative is clearly in view. This happens as people begin to become disillusioned with the explanatory power of the dominant worldview.

In America, while something like 99% of all scientists embrace the evolutionary explanation, only about 45% of the rest of the population agrees. Evolution is a myth, that is, a story, or a narrative for explaining the world and life. In spite of the fact that evolutionary teaching has a lock on public schools, dominates public television programming about creation, and has infiltrated every other academic discipline, most Americans remain unconvinced.

I keep coming across evidence indicating that members of the scientific community are also becoming disillusioned with evolution as the defining myth and template for the universe. Some are expressing openness to the possibility of a new mythic framework which is less materialistic and perhaps more spiritual. One such person is Stuart Kauffman, professor emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania (“Why science needs to break the spell of reductive materialism,” Aeon, 20 May, 2016).

According to Dr. Kauffman, the “flowering of the biosphere, more than a metaphor for human history, begins to suggest a mythic structure beyond that by which we currently live.” That is, the very nature of the universe leads us to think there has to be some explanation for all this beauty, diversity, elegance, wonder, and power.

Dr. Kauffman explains that the universe alone, as a material entity made up of particles, molecules, and proteins, is not sufficient as an explanation of itself. The processes whereby matter comes to be are too complex and time-consuming for the universe to have been its own creator.

What he means is that the evolutionary explanation of the origins and composition of the cosmos, as deriving from the “Big Bang”, doesn’t really work. Too much in the way of time and space are required for existing matter to form itself into the universe as we know it. Dr. Kauffman believes we need to face up to this inadequacy and begin exploring other options as explanations of the universe and life. The myth which insists that everything is merely matter no longer works.

Dr. Kauffman explains, concerning the search for a new narrative for the universe, “We have no way to study this exploration deterministically. Here in the heart of classic physics, reductive materialism can fail. Sciencia fails, reason fails, and doors open to how we live forward. We start to be set free as humans in a creative universe.”

He asks, “what can guide us?” in this creative search, if not science and reason? “Our guide can be a new founding mythic structure that reflects our full enlivenment...” Such a vision requires that we explore “more ways of being human” as we dialog with the various civilizations and cultures of the world.

Doubtless like you, there came a time in my life when the “myth” by which I tried to explain myself and to make sense of the world, no longer worked. Something more, something beyond what I had always believed kept summoning me to consider Him.

It’s too early to describe Dr. Kauffman’s feelings about the myth of evolution as widespread. But he’s not the first to express such misgivings, and he won’t be the last. This is a good time for Christians to increase their confidence in the Biblical worldview, and to be bolder and more outspoken in proclaiming it.

Who knows how many people like Dr. Kauffman – like you and me – are looking for something that makes more sense and is eternally more elegant than what they’re currently clinging to?

For reflection
1.  Would you describe the Christian worldview as elegant? Why or why not?

2.  Why do you suppose so few Americans find evolutionary theory a convincing explanation of the universe and life?

3.  Should Christians become equipped “to be bolder and more outspoken” in proclaiming the Christian worldview? What is the role of the local church in helping to make that happen?

Next steps: How can you begin to become better equipped to talk about the Christian worldview? Talk with a pastor or church leader about this question.
This week in our ReVision column we begin a series on “The Divine Economy”. This is an important component of a Christian worldview. Here we’ll glimpse the mind of Christ concerning how a social order ought to work. Be sure to follow each of these studies, as they offer important Biblical insights for our lives and societies.

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