The Father of All Science — Part Three

In parts one and two of this series, we observed that history has repeatedly affirmed that the greatest leaders in the field of science have overwhelmingly been God-fearing Bible-believing individuals. America’s Founders saw this fact demonstrated throughout history.

Some historical examples that we previously examined included Francis Bacon (1561-1626), called the “Father of Modern Science.”

Isaac Newton (1642-1727), credited with birthing modern calculus and discovering the laws of gravity. Newton reportedly spent more time on theology than on science; indeed, Newton’s understanding of God came primarily from the Bible, which he studied for days and weeks at a time.

John Locke (1632-1704), English philosopher and political theorist. Locke was a primary figure in developing empiricism, a key to scientific discovery. But Locke was also a great defender of the Christian faith, and when defending it in his Two Treatises of Government (1689), the work specifically cited by Jefferson and the other Founders when drafting the Declaration of Independence, Locke invoked the Bible over 1,500 times;

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), widely recognized, not only for his incomparable paintings, but also for his engineering and architectural designs, studies in anatomy, physics, optics, biology, and aeronautics, all far in advance of his time. Da Vinci was a man of high moral character, gracious and kind in all his dealings, and a sincere believer in Christ and the Scriptures.

Johann Kepler (1571-1630), considered the founder of physical astronomy. Kepler discovered the laws of planetary motion and established the discipline of celestial mechanics. Kepler was an earnest Christian and renown for stating that, in his astronomical research, that he was merely “thinking God’s thoughts after Him”.

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), one of the greatest early philosophers and mathematicians and is considered the father of the science of hydrostatics. In mathematics, he laid the foundation for differential calculus and the theory of probability. He was a deeply spiritual man, a leader of the sect known as the Jansenists, a quasi-Protestant group within the Catholic Church.

Finally, Robert Boyle (1627-1691), one of the founders of the Royal Society of London, generally known as the father of modern chemistry. He discovered the basic law relating gas pressures to temperature and volume, the fundamental principle of gas dynamics. He was considered to be the greatest physical scientist of his generation. Boyle was also a humble, witnessing Christian and a diligent student of the Bible. He was profoundly interested in missions and devoted much of his own money to Bible translation work and the propagation of the gospel.

These seven men are just a few of the many renowned men who made great and lasting contributions to the world of science and the arts while devoting their lives to Almighty God.

Another of these was Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778). Linnaeus is widely regarded as the father of biological taxonomy. In fact, the standard classification system of plants and animals still used today is known as the Linnaeus system. He was a man of great piety and respect for the Scriptures.

Another was Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758). Not generally known as a scientist, but as a theologian and college president, and leader of American thought in the colonies, Edwards exhibited deep understanding and original insights into physics, meteorology, and astronomy far in advance of his time. He could have almost certainly become an outstanding man of science but the Lord had other plans for him. He was destined to play a key role in the colonies’ Great Awakening and helping prepare them for the unique spiritual ministry they would one day have in world history.

Michael Faraday (1791-1867) is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest physicists of all time. He invented the generator and made many other key discoveries and inventions. Two of these units, one in electrolysis and one in electrostatics, are named in his honor. Yet this great man was one of the most humble and sincere Christians one could ever find. He had an abiding faith in the Bible and prayer. He was very regular and faithful in the various ministries of his church and fully believed in its official doctrine: “The Bible and it alone, with nothing added to it nor taken away from it by man, is the sole and sufficient guide for each individual, at all times and in all circumstances…”

Next: more great individuals of faith and science.

Tim Lewis can be contacted at timlewis1@windstream.net.

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