The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1928-11-14
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1928.
SCIENCE AN AID TO RELIGION


n FANY of the worlds leading scientists
N have held that science aid to re-
Az ligion instead of an embarrassment and
a hindrance. But others have insisted that too
much knowledge was perilous to Christianity. It
has been pointed out repeatedly that higher edu-
cation results in unorthodox views on the part of
those possessing knowledge. Then, too, there
are groups that urge restrictions through law
against progressive teaching along lines we'll
established in the realm of scientific information.
1t might be well, however, to investigate in
an effort to determine what is orthodox. There
probably is not man living who can interpret
the Bible exactly it was meant to be interpret
ed. Highly educated but devout Christians &C.
knowledge readily that numerous passages in the
Bible are alegorical This means, of course,
that use is made in the Bible of the common rhe-
torical habit known to all peoples of practicing
figures of speech. In a word it means that
story may be told for the sake of it's moral, or
its point, and is not always to be taken as liter
al
So an orthodox belief may change. In fact,
it does That is to say that what was orthodox
centuries ago may not be orthodox today. The
orthodox belief, it is admitted, is fixed by the
church, but there never has been a rule authori-
tatlvely handed down that puts individual be-
yond the pale if he varies from fundamentalism.
There are just as good Christians today who are
not fundamentalists, who not even orthodox,
persons who read and interpret the Bible in their
own way. If Christian wishes to believe that
man was created BY God through period of
time as is represented by distinct ages defined
by such scientists biologists, anthropologists,
ethnologists and the like, he can hold to his be-
lief without conflicting with the Bible in it's es-
sentals. After all what matters most is that
part of the Bible that is essential. Indeed, one
who is not orthodox nor yet a fundamentalist
may be more acceptable Christian in that he
may be more liberal and tolerant. If ones con-
science is right and one obeys it's dictates
through life will not stray far from the right
however he may interpret the Bible.
DR.. Roy L. Smith, pastor of the Simpson
Methodist church in Minneapolis, demanded in
sermon in Humbolt, Ia, recently that science
and religion must work together for the welfare
of humanity. Dr. Smith paid tribute to science
for what it had done in making life more COM
Portable, in protecting humanity from disease
and in producing commercial benefits in which
man found wealth, convenience and utility. He
recognized the fact that science had greatly aided
the progress of civilization, had permitted hu-
mainly better to enjoy life because of developinw
his powers of enjoyment. But he did not feel
that science had hurt the Christian reliri8n
through its great truths as they were revealed
In assembled knowledge Said Dr. Smith: aCod
is still working, for he is the great chemist"
Whatever God is-and no human being ever
has known-he is responsible for everything that
Is IN existence. It was God who made the uni
verse, and likewise it was God who gave men
minds that they might learn in their study of the
heavens many of the secrets of the stars. It
was God who created the forces held in nature
ana let men discover and employ them. It was
GOD who put the ores in the ground from which
men have built engines and structures. but #
was God who equipped humsn;ty> Tor such work.
1t was God who created tie vast store of know
ledge and endowed man with brain that he
might learn part of it and employ it for his
retirement. 1t could not be possible that God
would endow man in this way, would put mater
lal before him and not expect him to convert
them to his use.
AS DR.. Smith declared, God is the great
chemist. Why, God not only gave to man his
1lrst idea Of Christianity, but he gave him also
his aptitude for scientific research These verv
truths in science which some persons fear will
hurt religion have their beginning in God. There
are sects that believe nothing matters but the
spiritual side of life. God never intended any,
-e O ~N~ue' VI ne never would nave en-
dowed man so richly in materials and in mind
Science and religion can go along together bet
ter than either can go alone.-Sioux City Jour-
nal.
King George brags that he has had the same
hat for the past ten years. That's just running
true to tradition-think how many years he and
all the other English kings have worn the same
crown. That isn't economy-its just good luck
in having been born in the right family