The church has a long history of impacting the world in positive ways, as well as some negative ways. Though such things as the Crusades are dark times in the church’s history, there seems to be a genuine desire to please God, even if from misguided motives. This remains true regarding the contention the church currently has with fields such as art and science. Though the relationship the church has with both fields has had its positive periods, in the modern era the relationship has turned sour and the modern church tends to stand with opposition to the advancement of science and with neglect to the expression of art.
Unfortunately, what the church seems to have missed in their contentious relationship with art and science is that their existence is more vital to the worship of God than the church itself is. Kuyper (2011) makes the point that the church and government are human establishments necessary only because of the fall of mankind and his departure from obedience to God. In the early chapters of Genesis, the story of Yahweh’s creation is unfolded in beauty, awe, and intricate detail (Gn. 1-2). Before Adam’s disobedience to God (Gn. 3), he was created with the ability to worship God through creativity and scientific discovery. Both of these are evident in Adam’s activity of before the fall. In the story of creation, Adam is seen working the ground to produce food (Gn. 2.15), learning the intricacies of God’s creation, while also being creative as he comes up with names (Gn. 2.19-20) for every living creature. In the unfallen human form, Adam displayed an inclination toward both art and science with which he used to worship God.
Should the church reconsider its relationship with art and science for the sake of our people?
References
Kuyper, A. (2011). Wisdom & wonder: common grace in science and art (English Ed). Grand Rapids, ID: Christian Library Press.
