Most physical journeys, that is travel, begin with some initial questions such as: Where do I need or want to go? Am I going to stop along the way and where? What means of transportation will I take? Where will I stay both at my destination and along the way? What should I take with me?
Spiritual or faith journeys also frequently start with some basic questions, among which are: Who am I? Why do I exist? What purpose does my life have? How did all of this (the universe) come about? What is my relationship to the universe? These and other questions encompass the origins, purpose and rationale for being. They seek answers to the most profound of questions -- "why?"
Science would have us believe that such questions are irrelevant. It appears to claim the simple fact the universe exists is reason enough for its existence. But our continuing to ask these questions attests to both their relevance to the meaning of our lives and the inadequacy of the purely scientific perspective.
Science deals with physical or natural realities. It answers questions of what, where, when and how. Questions of why are limited to physical cause and effect. Answers to questions bearing on the meaning of life are more properly of the metaphysical realm and at least touch upon the supernatural, the spiritual. The former realities might, at first glance, appear to lie solely within the province of scientific inquiry. The latter fall within the province of philosophy and the related field of theology. The truth, however, is that, in some fashion, philosophy, theology and science are interrelated. In fact, until the rise of secular institutions and attitudes, the function of science was to be of service to theology, that is to faith. The discoveries of science were viewed as providing evidence not only of the existence of God, but of His ultimate superiority, power and intellect. For sincere people of faith, this perspective remains valid and only those without faith would claim that science is devoid of any relation to God or worse that God does not exist.
For the disciple of Christ, a fundamental belief in God is the crucial seed that is planted by answers to the metaphysical questions that can be coalesced into "why?"
Spiritual or faith journeys also frequently start with some basic questions, among which are: Who am I? Why do I exist? What purpose does my life have? How did all of this (the universe) come about? What is my relationship to the universe? These and other questions encompass the origins, purpose and rationale for being. They seek answers to the most profound of questions -- "why?"
Science would have us believe that such questions are irrelevant. It appears to claim the simple fact the universe exists is reason enough for its existence. But our continuing to ask these questions attests to both their relevance to the meaning of our lives and the inadequacy of the purely scientific perspective.
Science deals with physical or natural realities. It answers questions of what, where, when and how. Questions of why are limited to physical cause and effect. Answers to questions bearing on the meaning of life are more properly of the metaphysical realm and at least touch upon the supernatural, the spiritual. The former realities might, at first glance, appear to lie solely within the province of scientific inquiry. The latter fall within the province of philosophy and the related field of theology. The truth, however, is that, in some fashion, philosophy, theology and science are interrelated. In fact, until the rise of secular institutions and attitudes, the function of science was to be of service to theology, that is to faith. The discoveries of science were viewed as providing evidence not only of the existence of God, but of His ultimate superiority, power and intellect. For sincere people of faith, this perspective remains valid and only those without faith would claim that science is devoid of any relation to God or worse that God does not exist.
For the disciple of Christ, a fundamental belief in God is the crucial seed that is planted by answers to the metaphysical questions that can be coalesced into "why?"
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