Why is it not so easy for a present-day physicist to be genuinely a Christian?

Abstract

Natural Realism and Physics are two ways of relating to our material world. This article provides some basic characteristics of both and derives two joined reasons why Physics is, partially, at odds with Natural Realism. The first reason consists in that present-day Physics is based on models of reality which involve several severe methodical reductionisms. From that derives the second reason, which is the difference of epistemological climates of Natural Realism and Physics. The difference is that the intelligibility of material things is esteemed low in Physics and high in Natural Realism.

Natural Realism suggests that it should be possible to overcome that unsatisfactory state of affairs. As a way to amend the relationship, it is suggested as a goal to elaborate a certain control or estimate of the methodical losses of Physics due to its reductionisms (as long as Physics does not change its method). This control is elaborated in the spirit of Natural Realism. It is also expected to be helpful for achieving deeper insights within Physics.

The results of a Physics under reductionisms do not seem to harmonize with many data offered by the Bible about certain material and historical facts. On the other hand, the Bible is not a scientific protocol or text book. Both the differences between epistemological climates and between the presentation of facts appear to bring about a sort of pressure upon theologians to assimilate the scientific way of understanding, because it is considered “successful”.

Though this pressure is partly exercised by scientists and partly even by theologians, i.e. by persons, one root of the pressure lies in the doctrines of Physics and Natural Realism as such, above all in the difference of their epistemological climates. Making disappear the difference of epistemological climates will, therefore, lower the pressure. A first step towards that goal is the investigation of the consequences that emerge from renouncing of the reductionisms of Physics. As the reductionisms are recognized as such in the spirit of Natural Realism, any investigating the consequences of renouncing of them will equally take place in the spirit of Natural Realism.

Christian revelation endorses Natural Realism, when speaking of our material world. Thus, it turns out that the philosophical solution of a problem of Physics in the spirit of Natural Realism has beneficial consequences also for the relationship of Physics to Christian Theology, and to Christianity in general. It is a flanking aid to the inculturation of Christianity into a scientific-technological civilization.