Science with Faith versus Scientism with Unbelief

Science is a useful and legitimate means of discovering and describing that which is. It cannot, however, describe what ought to be. That is why scientism, not science, per se, is opposed to biblical faith. I am using the term scientism in this sense: "The idea that the concepts of truth, falsity, explanation, and even understanding are all concepts which belong exclusively to science." It is a common justification for agnosticism and atheism.

It is quite respectable to claim, "I only believe what can be demonstrated by science." However, that is not really something a thinking person should say. Why? Well, let's start with the built-in, but unspoken, contradiction in the statement: By what scientific experimentation have you determined that science is the only legitimate source of truth? It is impossible to do so. The assertion is untestable, and, therefore, unscientific.

But the bigger problem is this: I think everyone would agree with the statement that there is evil in the world. There are things that happen which ought not happen. Innocent bystanders get mown down by drunk drivers. Small children die of cancer. Terrorists kill and maim men, women, and children who have done them no harm. But, again, we have an unspoken contradiction: how does science determine that these things are evil, or that they ought not to be? It cannot! Certainly it is true that scientists have an understanding that these things ought not to be. However, can anyone point to the scientific experiment by which any scientist demonstrated that truth?

No, no one can.

Rather, the scientist, or the atheist-on-the-street who preaches science, is making an a priori determination of what is evil, of what ought not to be. And what is the source of that a priori judgment? The Bible gives the answer: "They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them" (Romans 2:15). By the very declaration that something is evil and ought not to be, an atheist is declaring his suppressed knowledge that God is and that both the atheist and all other men are answerable to Him. 

Paul described this suppressed knowledge of God in Romans 1:18-22: "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools."

The atheist, while proudly proclaiming his unbelief, and claiming science as its justification, cannot help but reveal that his spoken claims are a deception, both to himself and to his audience. He cannot point a finger at anything that ought not to be without demonstrating that the biblical faith is true, and the triune God of the Bible is the only basis for rational thought and communication.