They may appear to be at cross purposes with each other, but that is the very fact that makes navigation possible. When truth and reason appear to be at cross purposes with each other, truth and reality always lie at the intersection where the two meet. Faith and reason are complementary, not contradictory. Granted our assumption that God is the creator of the natural world and author of the revealed word, the real difficulty lies not in the facts, whether of science or revelation, but in our finite comprehension of the facts and our finite attempts to coordinate, or interpret them. We need not relinquish faith in order to be intellectually respectable, nor surrender our intellect in order to be faithful.
Faith can be reasonable and reason can be faithful.
Maturity of mind as well as of faith is essential to participation in a meaningful dialogue between science and religion a mind that understands itself, its thought processes and its own finite and personal limitations. Anchored by faith to ultimate realities, a mature mind will be disposed to examine any and all evidence objectively, and to modify preconcepts to comport with the weight of evidence. An adamant, dogmatic attitude is one route immature minds take in their quest for security. A well-informed person does not need to be dogmatic in order to feel secure. A tendency to speak dogmatically is characteristic of intellectual immaturity and an immature faith.