Science and Religion

Counsels from the Spirit of Prophecy.

Ellen G. White

FRESH EVIDENCES OF GOD'S WISDOM AND POWER—In the study of the sciences also, we are to obtain a knowledge of the Creator. All true science is but an interpretation of the handwriting of God in the material world. Science brings from her research only fresh evidences of the wisdom and power of God. Rightly understood, both the book of nature and the written word make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of the wise and beneficent laws through which He works.—Pa­triarchs and Prophets, p. 599.

OPENS THE MIND TO VAST FIELDS OF THOUGHT. —God is the author of science. Scientific re­search opens to the mind vast fields of thought and information, enabling us to see God in His created works. Ignorance may try to support skepticism by appealing to science; but instead of upholding skepticism, true science contrib­utes fresh evidences of the wisdom and power of God. Rightly understood, science and the written word agree, and each sheds light on the other. Together they lead us to God, by teach­ing us something of the wise and beneficent laws through which He works.—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 426.

AN AID TO UNDERSTAND GOD.—The mightiest intellects of earth cannot comprehend God. Men may be ever searching, ever learning, and still there is an infinity beyond. Yet the works of creation testify of God's power and greatness.... Those who take the written word as their counselor will find in science an aid to under­stand God. "The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 116.

THE HANDMAID OF RELIGION—There must be schools established upon the principles, and controlled by the precepts, of God's word. Another spirit must be in our schools, to ani­mate and sanctify every branch of education. . . We may expect the presence of the heavenly teacher. We may see the Spirit of the Lord diffused as in the schools of the prophets, and every object partake of a divine consecration. Science will then be, as she was to Daniel, the handmaid of religion.—Fundamentals of Chris­tian Education, p. 99.

HIGHER EDUCATION.—There is a great deal of talk concerning higher education, and many suppose that higher education consists wholly in an education in science and literature; but this is not all. The highest education includes the knowledge of the word of God, and is com­prehended in the words, "That they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3.—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 45.

SCIENCE To BE TESTED BY THE UNERRING STANDARD.—God would have us students as long as we remain in the world. Every opportunity for culture should be improved. The faculties need to be strengthened by exercise, the mind to be trained and expanded by taxing study; but all this may be done while the heart is becoming an easy prey to deception. Wisdom from above must be communicated to the soul. It is the entrance of God's word that "giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the sim­ple." Ps. 119:130. His word is given for our instruction; there is nothing in it that is de­fective or misleading. The Bible is not to be tested by men's ideas of science, but science is to be brought to the test of the unerring stand­ard.

Yet the study of the sciences is not to be neglected. Books must be used for this purpose; but they should be in harmony with the Bible, for that is the standard. Books of this character should take the place of many of those now in the hands of students.—Ibid., pp. 425, 426.

Philosophical speculation and scientific re­search in which God is not acknowledged are making skeptics of thousands. In the schools of today the conclusions that learned men have reached as the result of their scientific investigations are carefully taught and fully ex­plained; while the impression is distinctly given that if these learned men are correct, the Bible cannot be. Skepticism is attractive to the human mind.—Ibid., p. 377.

CONFLICT BETWEEN FALSE SCIENCE AND RE­LIGION.—I have been warned that henceforth we shall have a constant contest. Science, socalled, and religion will be placed in opposi­tion to each other, because finite men do not comprehend the power and greatness of God.

These words of Holy Writ were presented to me: "Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." This will surely be seen among the people of God, and there will be those who are unable to perceive the most wonderful and important truths for this time, truths which are essential for their own safety and salvation, while matters that are in comparison as the merest atoms, matters in which there is scarcely a grain of truth, are dwelt upon and are magnified by the power of Satan so that they ap­pear of the utmost importance—Evangelism, p. 593.

Science, falsely so-called, is wearing away the foundation of Christian principle; and those who once were in the faith drift away from the Bible landmarks, and divorce themselves from God, while still claiming to be His children.­Ibid., p. 362.


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Ellen G. White

February 1958

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