Science and Christianity in the Modern Age: An Exposition and Critique of Ian G. Barbour's "Ways of Relating Science and Religion"

Abstract

This work attempts to understand the relationship between the scientific enterprise and the religion of Christianity in light of Ian G. Barbour's notable work on the topic in his 1997 book Religion and Science: Historical and Contemporary Issues. Specifically, this work attempts to provide a current and fresh perspective on Barbour's four possible approaches to the relationship between science and Christianity: ( 1) Conflict, (2) Independence, (3) Dialogue, and (4) Integration. While Barbour believes the answer to reconciling science and Christianity lies in the Integration category, we will show in the course of this work that science and Christianity are actually caught in conflict, and they may not be integrated into a single worldview as Barbour contends.