The Christian Philosophy of Science

<p><span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)>Herman Bavinck the prominent Dutch Neo-Calvinist theologian wrote </span><em style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)>The </em><em>Christian</em><em style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> </em><em>Philosophy</em><em style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> of </em><em>Science</em><span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> in 1904 at the pinnacle of his career. However the emphasis of this work sets it apart from Bavinck's other writings. Even though Bavinck is best known as a systematic theologian he wrote this work to contribute to a comprehensive </span>Christian<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> </span>philosophy<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)>. A century ago in the Netherlands a renewed desire to participate in scientific research in accordance with </span>Christian<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> principles inspired Bavinck's work on the p</span>hilosophy<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> of s</span>cience<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)>. At the time many </span>Christian<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> scientists and researchers were disillusioned with the methodological positivism that dominated </span>science<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> for much of the nineteenth century. Thus Bavinck was ahead of his time having written this work approximately 60 years before positivism was largely abandoned in Western academic studies. According to Bavinck all scientific research must assume the presence of a logical order within and consistently acting upon Creation. This can only be the handiwork of a Sovereign Creator. He describes </span>science<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> as the understanding of the divine mind in various divine works. Therefore authentic </span>science<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> should always lead to a further understanding and respect for God. He also argues that given the reality of human nature the </span>Christian<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> </span>philosophy<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> of </span>science<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> is essential for scientific research. People are corrupt and prone to distorting the truth for their own benefit therefore only through the self-evaluation mandated by the gospel of Jesus Christ can we truly be scientific truth-seekers. True </span>science<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> according to Bavinck is Christocentric as all scientific inquiry is centered on Jesus Christ. There has never been a greater need for a thorough </span>Christian<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> </span>Philosophy<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> of </span>Science<span style=color: rgba(51 51 51 1)> to engage in modern scientific challenges. While much work remains in this area it is hoped that this translation of Bavinck's most complete work on the subject might help steer future efforts in a positive direction.</span></p>