Discipleship, Bible, Christian, Studies – C.S. Lewis Institute

Constance Kalbach Walker
Sr. Research Scientist
Physics Dept., Duke University

"During the early years of my work in nuclear physics, I held the far too common belief that science and Christianity are mortal enemies, with science based on reproducible experiment and Christianity -- indeed, all religion -- based on blind faith. Imagine my surprise when, as a young assistant professor, the science I was teaching actually began demolishing some of the roadblocks standing between me and a personal faith in Christ.

First, I assumed that, given enough time and money, science could eventually answer all of our questions about the physical world. Not so! As I taught about the origins of the universe, I realized that science can never have ultimate answers; it only pushes back frontiers. There is always something further back in time or further out in space or... Second, in pondering how to convey what physicists call the wave-particle duality to my Bible-belt students, I saw something of an analogy to the Christian concept of the Trinity. Suddenly this doctrine, which had previously seemed absurd, no longer did so. Within the year, I started reading the Bible, and, astoundingly, I soon met Christ personally. Overwhelmed by his love, I joyfully committed my life to him. That was in 1975.

With much to learn and many questions to answer, I naturally turned to the Bible, but other books, including C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, shaped and sharpened my perspective. I was attracted by Lewis's cogent logic couched in relaxed, everyday language. Apparently one could be a serious Christian without either shutting off one's brain or becoming a theologian!

My understanding of how science relates to Biblical faith has also grown. They are friends, not enemies. Science tells us about the physical world we inhabit and how it works, while Scripture tells us about its loving, holy, powerful Creator and the kind of relationship he desires with us, his creatures. Rich insights flow back and forth across their frontier. How it could it be otherwise? Since God is the author of both the Bible and the material universe, they must be speaking in harmony. Knowing him has brought a new dimension to my life and work."