Using Science as a Tool for Christian Witness
Christian witness, in its broadest sense, refers to the act of testifying to God's truth and actions, particularly concerning Jesus Christ and the Gospel [8, 9]. The concept of "witness" (Hebrew: ed) appears throughout Scripture, often involving tangible evidence or significant ceremonies to confirm a transaction or covenant [1, 2]. For instance, Abraham gave seven ewe-lambs to Abimelech as evidence of his property, and Jacob raised a heap of stones as a boundary marker and "heap of witness" between himself and Laban [1]. Joshua also set up a stone to signify Israel's allegiance to God [1].
In the New Testament, witness takes on a more explicit theological dimension. John the Baptist came "as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him" [6]. The Holy Spirit is also described as bearing witness to Christ as Messiah, as coming to redeem and sanctify, and as exalted to be a Prince and Savior [5]. This witness of the Spirit confirms the first preaching of the Gospel and accompanies the faithful proclamation of the apostles [5]. Paul states that God is his witness in his service to the Gospel of His Son [7].
The act of Christian witness is not merely a verbal declaration but can encompass various forms of testimony. The Gospel itself is referred to as "the testimony of Christ," bearing witness to his person, office, and grace [10]. God confirms the mission of those who preach the Gospel "with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles," such as healing the sick or casting out demons, all to confirm divine truth [11]. This suggests that God uses various means to validate the message of His witnesses.
While the primary mode of witness is often understood as verbal proclamation, the question of using science as a tool for Christian witness invites consideration of how natural revelation and scientific understanding might support or complement this testimony. The Bible speaks of God's wrath being revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness, because "what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made" (Romans 1:18-20 NASB). This passage suggests that creation itself bears a form of witness to God's existence and attributes, making humanity without excuse.
However, it is crucial to distinguish between general revelation (what can be known about God through creation) and special revelation (what God has revealed through Scripture and Christ). While science explores the mechanisms and wonders of creation, it does not, by itself, convey the full redemptive message of the Gospel. The apostle Paul warns against being "false witnesses of God" if one testifies about God raising Christ when, in fact, the dead do not rise [3]. This highlights the importance of accurate and truthful testimony, grounded in the core tenets of Christian faith.
The use of science in Christian witness, therefore, might involve demonstrating the intricate design and order of the universe as evidence of a Creator, or exploring the consistency between scientific discoveries and a biblical worldview. It could also involve Christians engaging in scientific fields as a form of service and demonstrating Christian virtues like meekness and wisdom in their intellectual pursuits [4]. However, the ultimate goal of Christian witness remains to testify about Christ and the salvation offered through Him, a message that transcends purely scientific explanation [6, 9].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Witness — Among people with whom writing is not common the evidence of a transaction is given by some tangible memorial or significant ceremony: Abraham gave seven ewe-lambs to Abimelech as an evidence of his property in the well of Beersheba. Jacob raised a heap of stones, "the heap of witness." as a boundary-mark between himself and Laban. (Genesis 21:30; 31:47,52) The tribes of Reuben and Gad raised an "altar" as a witness to the covenant between themselves and the rest of the nation. Joshua set up a stone as an evidence of the allegiance promised by Israel to God.”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Elead — witness of God”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 15:15 (Tyndale) — Ye and we are founde falce witnesses of God. For we have testifyed of God how that he raysyd vp Christ whom he raysyd not vp yf it be so that the deed ryse not vp agayne.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Witness of the Holy Spirit — Is truth -- 1Jo 5:6. To be implicitly received -- 1Jo 5:6,9. Borne to Christ As Messiah. -- Lu 3:22; Joh 1:32,33. As coming to redeem and sanctify. -- 1Jo 5:6. As exalted to be a Prince and Saviour to give repentance, &c. -- Ac 5:31,32. As perfecting saints. -- Heb 10:14,15. As foretold by himself. -- Joh 15:26. In heaven. -- 1Jo 5:7,11. On earth. -- 1Jo 5:8. The first preaching of the gospel confirmed by -- Ac 14:3; Heb 2:4. The faithful preaching of the Apostles accompanied by -- 1Co 2:4; 1Th 1:5. Given to saints On believing. -- Ac 15:”
- John “John 1:7 (NASB) — He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.”
- King James Version “[KJV] Romans 1:9 — For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:1: When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.”
- 2 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 1:8: Be not - ashamed of the testimony - The testimony of Christ is the Gospel in general, which proclaims Christ crucified, and redemption through his blood. In the sight of the world, there appeared to be reason why a man should be ashamed of this; ashamed of him who was crucified as a malefactor; but, when this Gospel became the power of God to the salvation of every one that believed, it was a subject to exult in. Hence the apostle, Rom 1:16 (note), said, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Nor of me his prisoner - When our friends are in power and credit, we”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 8:16: Bind up the testimony,.... These are not the words of the prophet, as Kimchi thinks, but of the Lord to the prophet, and are part of that instruction given him, Isa 8:11. By "the testimony" is meant the word of prophecy delivered to him; particularly that evangelical part of it respecting Immanuel, who was to be born of a virgin, and would be for a sanctuary to them that believe in him, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, to unbelievers; so the Gospel is called the testimony of Christ, it bearing witness of his person, office, and grace, Ti2 1:8 and "bind”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 2:3: God also bearing them witness,.... The apostles of Christ; God testifying to their mission and commission, and the truth of the doctrine they preached: both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles; such as taking up serpents without hurt, healing the sick, causing the lame to walk, and raising the dead, and casting out devils, and the like; all which were for the confirmation of the Gospel preached by them: a sign, wonder, or miracle, for these signify the same thing, is a marvellous work done before men, by the power of God, to confirm a divine truth; God ”