The birth of science

Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. [Gen. 2:19]

In Genesis 2:19–20 we find the birth of science. One of the tasks of science is to harness the forces of the natural world, making them work for us rather than against us. We improve our agricultural skills; we discover fire and atomic energy; we devise ships for the sea and planes for the air. In this way we exercise dominion over the human environment, as God commanded in Genesis 1:28. Since the fall and the entrance of sin into the world, the ability to enjoy dominion has been greatly frustrated.

The enterprises of science begins with taxonomy—the separating of things into categories. In taxonomy, we see the process of individuation. What is the difference between (or what “individuates”) a man and an ape?

To carry out individuation we must carefully note similarities and difference. For instance, medical science progresses through ever-more-precise differentiation. In the case of a new disease we must categorize whether it is caused by a bacteria or a virus or by something else. Researchers then distinguish among the different kinds of treatments to match a prescription to a disease. Each new distinction adds to the body of knowledge that comprises science.

Thus, dominion over creation begins with taxonomy. When Adam named the animals, he noticed specific characteristics of how animals were similar and how they were different. He learned to distinguish “the livestock, the birds of the air, and all the beasts of the field” (v. 20).

The most important thing Adam had to notice was that there were two different kinds, or genders, to each animal. One was male, like himself, and the other was female. Adam sensed this parallel between himself and the animals, and became aware that he too should have a female counterpart. He came to echo God’s conclusion that it was not good to be alone.

Science in recent years has come to be viewed as the enemy rather than the child of Christianity. This attitude stems both from misguided efforts of science and the church. Seek to develop a more biblical understanding of the role of science, perhaps by reading a book about the life of Isaac Newton, scientist and theologian.

Sproul, R.C., Before the Face of God: A Daily Guide for Living from the Old Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books) 1994.