Can Science Prove a Divine Creator? Steve Orr

Matters of the Heart:

Do Science and Scripture Reveal a Relational God?

Yes! While those who enjoy a meaningful relationship with God don’t need proof of his existence, sound scientific evidence is available for those who have eyes to see.

Despite the divide between science and faith, surveys show that a surprising number of scientists (50% – 60%) base their beliefs on scientific observations. Their reasons for belief include: the astronomical improbability of the universe’s fine-tuning; the mathematical order of the universe, which points to a super-intelligent being; how the Big Bang theory fits the creation event of Scripture; and the reality of human consciousness, which recognizes beauty and elegance that cannot be explained by mechanistic means.

God is an infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal being. But in the flesh, we are finite. As the old Medieval axiom states, “The finite cannot grasp the infinite.” This logic leads us to faith in Scripture, which reveals the nature and character of a relational God as omnibenevolent, all-good, compassionate, morally perfect, holy and pure; transcendent, existing outside space and time; yet immanent and present within our world.

Regarding the mathematical order of the universe, here’s a fractal that depicts the mathematical expression of the unique structure of seahorse tails. So what are fractals, and how does this relate to a Divine Creator God? Fractals are pictorial representations of mathematical models of complex system phenomena such as coastlines, clouds, and plants. Because of this, fractals are used in the scientific study of our universe, which, of course, relates to a Creator God.

Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Created by Wolfgang Beyer with Ultra Fractal 3
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mandel_zoom_11_satellite_double_spiral.jpg

Unfortunately, many disagree with my personification of God in the opening paragraph as a relational being with his children created in his image.

Because something coming from nothing was considered illogical, Greek philosophers defined god as merely an impersonal force. Aristotle called this god “Prime Mover.” This philosophy was developed long before the appearance of God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us. But seventeen centuries later, the philosopher Baruch Spinoza adopted this pantheistic, impersonal force as the god of the universe. In theological contexts, this is often referred to as “the god of Spinoza.”

Yes, Virginia, there are theologians who do not believe in God.

This Spinozan “relationship” with things dehumanizes us as just another thing in a universe of things.

With this tedious but necessary review of science and human-contrived philosophies, let us move on to more uplifting “Matters of the Heart” that we often talk about here at CWR.

What does having a personal relationship with God look and feel like? What distinguishes genuine relationships from human-imagined relationships?

Historic Examples of Genuine Relationships

1. C. S. Lewis’s Conversion: Lewis described himself as “the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.” He didn’t create a comfortable God but encountered one who challenged his atheism. His relationship involved intellectual honesty, submission to truth he initially resisted, and a transformation that led him from a self-centered academic life to profound service through his writings, showing someone wrestling with God’s nature honestly rather than inventing a deity to suit his preferences.
2. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The German theologian opposed Nazi ideology even when it cost him his life. He wrote about “costly grace” that insists on doing God’s will. When he could have escaped Germany, his genuine relationship with God compelled him to return and stand with his people, ultimately leading to his execution. His faith produced courage, not comfort.
3. Mother Teresa’s “Dark Night”: Her private letters reveal decades of spiritual dryness and feeling God’s absence, yet she continued serving the poorest of the poor. Rather than abandoning her faith or adopting a more emotionally satisfying spirituality, she persevered in obedience despite her feelings. This demonstrates an authentic relationship with the intent to do God’s will, with the key ingredient being a life based on devotion.

While these are extraordinary examples, Scripture also shows that a personal relationship with God is natural and normal, yet often mysterious.

Examples of Human-Invented Relationships

1. The “Prosperity Gospel” Movement: Some modern preachers promote a version of god who primarily exists to make believers wealthy and successful. This turns the Bible upside-down—instead of humans serving god’s purposes, god becomes a genie in a bottle serving human desires. Suffering and sacrifice are minimized, and the lack of blessings is considered a sign of insufficient faith.
2. Therapeutic Deism: Sociologist Christian Smith identified this common modern belief: god exists, wants people to be happy, and intervenes only when needed to solve problems. This pictures a god as our “divine butler” who makes us comfortable. This self-help philosophy uses religious vocabulary to affirm personal choices without a scriptural basis or conviction.
3. Selective Morality Christianity: Some individuals claim deep faith while completely ignoring biblical teachings that conflict with cultural preferences or personal desires. For example:
· Embracing teachings on God’s love while rejecting God’s judgment.
· Claiming grace while not extending grace or performing works of grace to and for others.
· Claiming faith while living like a non-believer.
4. Nationalistic Religion: Throughout history, groups have created versions of God who specifically favors their nation, race, or political ideology. Examples include:
· American “civil religion” that conflates patriotism with faith.
· Nazi attempts to create “Positive Christianity” aligned with their ideology.
· Apartheid-era theology that claimed God ordained racial separation. These invent a tribal deity rather than encountering the universal God who “shows no favoritism.”

Key Differences in Practice:

Genuine Relationships:
· Involves repentance and transformation
· Aligns with Scripture, not personal desires
· Produces humility and a desire to do God’s will
· Seeks God’s will over personal comfort
· Produces fruit visible to others
· Accentuates communion with fellow believers
· Promotes the Body of Christ

Human-Invented Relationships:
· Reshapes God to fit personal desires
· Selective about biblical teachings
· Focuses on benefits without submission
· Lacks genuine transformation
· Prioritizes personal comfort and affirmation
· Rejects correction as judgment or negativity
· May not promote healthy church body life

These human-invented relationships highlight the dangers of relationships not based on authenticity. The fundamental test is this: Does your relationship with God inspire, enliven, and transform you? Or does it merely validate who you are or who you want to be?

A human-invented relationship is essentially a conversation with an idealized version of ourselves. Perhaps the most frightening example of the dangers that come with having a false, human-invented “relationship” is highlighted in this passage:

Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV, emphasis mine)

There’s a lot to unpack with Jesus’ warning about works-based religion—Please stay tuned to Matters of the Heart for a future article to explore this passage.

In conclusion: A genuine relationship involves encountering the Other—One who is truly different from ourselves and who calls to us beyond our fleshly estate. Indeed, the Kingdom of God is already within, and our invitation is to step into this Kingdom of God in the here and now.

There is much more to enjoying a scripturally based personal relationship with God. Please stay tuned for more about these Matters of the Heart.

Steve Orr writes to us from Montana. After working in the mecca of technology, Steve traded the rat race of Silicon Valley for the adventures of High Tech in Big Sky Country. Steve has an MBA with experience in accounting, finance, technology, and management. He occasionally writes a little software code, but mostly he likes writing about Matters of the Heart.