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Chapter 9:

FAITH, SCIENCE AND ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY

HUMAN CONTEXT

Human beings are uniquely endowed with the power of rationality - the ability to reason, analyse, organise, and build systems. This endowment has given enormous knowledge to humanity at least since the time of the Enlightenment. This knowledge explosion has given birth to science and technology. The names of Newton, Galileo, Copernicus and Einstein are very well known all over the world. More recently scientists and science writers like Alfred North Whitehead, Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawkins, Fritjof Capra, Thomas Kuhn, James Lovelock and Arthur Koestler are famous for popularising science and technology. There is a scientific and technological revolution that is impossible for human beings themselves to comprehend. Humanity has scaled the heights and fathomed the depths, unravelled the mysteries of the universe and continues in a relentless pursuit of knowledge and understanding There is a radically new way of living and understanding - redefinition of time, space, matter and of course the mind.

Computers and supercomputers; conductors and superconductors, microchips, World Wide Web (www), Cybernetics and such others do not surprise us any more. We are living at a time when discovery of the Quark, Gluon, simulation of the Big Bang, genetic engineering and of course cloning excite us. We live in a world of information technology. This knowledge-based technology can boost production and give incentive to growth and development.

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At one level, this science and technology has instilled a scientific attitude - being objective, rational and critical. It has empowered human beings to be efficient and fast, logical and consistent. It has made life comfortable and easier for a lot of people. Laptop, photocopying, fax, email, and such others are taken for granted. DNA research, robotic automation and Gnome mapping pose a serious challenge to humanity today.

In this post-scientific, post-enlightenment scenario we are deeply challenged and even threatened by some discoveries and inventions. Discovery of the atom was one of the greatest achievements of the twentieth century but the explosion of the first atom bomb in 1945 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki did not augur well for the future. It demonstrated clearly and well the dilemma, the ambiguity of modern science and advance technology. Rationality does not lead to morality. Justice and injustice remain the burning issue of our time. Hunger and poverty characterise the world of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Who is using this modern science and advance technology? For whom? To what purpose? From this point of view such discoveries and inventions pose a real challenge to our faith affirmations in terms of morality and ethics of our common, collective life. Do they enhance common human happiness and welfare of all? We turn to the Bible for assistance.

OLD TESTAMENT BACKGROUND

The Hebrew people have been a people of the book from time immemorial. The various books of the Old Testament testify to the crucial and critical place and significance of education and training in ancient Israel. They were certainly not anti-intellectual from their inception. The Torah, the Talmud and the Mishna were some of the serious attempts to clarify the several codes of life and schemes of behaviour. Nothing was outside the realm of religious life and instruction. From the beginning they endeavoured to order and organise individual, interpersonal and social life. There were elaborate instructions issued in the name of Yahweh as mentioned in the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. There were teachers, the Rabbi, whose responsibility was to instruct and interpret. The knowledge of God

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280 Proverbs 2:6-7a and 9:10

281 Proverbs 8:10-11; 23: 23; Isaiah 1:2-3; 14:6-8

282 Job 35:16

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and about each other was very important in that ancient world. Even as nomadic tribes, they were learning, listening and living accordingly.

There is a whole group of literature in the Old Testament known as WISDOM literature. In that literature, they emphasised wisdom within the divine context. It stated,

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright . . . The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.²⁸⁰

Thus on the one hand, there is an emphasis on seeking, searching for wisdom but on the other hand there is an essential need to situate it within the larger, transcendent frame of reference. The divine dimension must constantly determine human wisdom. Surely, that is recognition of our limitations as well as our inclination to pride and selfishness. Consequently, it reiterated this point of view by saying,

Take my instruction instead of silver and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her . . . Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

It is important to note from the above verses that wisdom is personified in a feminine form and secondly, knowledge is sought for its own sake and certainly not for the sake of gold or silver. If it is used as a means, it is a means to truth. One must maintain humility and love to acquire authentic knowledge.²⁸¹

Another aspect of this ancient wisdom is that it does not result in verbalism or verbosity. Much of so called knowledge remains meaningless and irrelevant. It is possible to multiply words without knowing what one is stating. Elihu had to reprimand Job on this count, “Job opened his mouth in empty talk, he multiplies words without knowledge”.²⁸² Therefore, knowledge must have a goal, a purpose and direction. It is not mechanical. From this point of view it must be an instrument.

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283 Psalms 82:5; 119:27, 32, 34, 66, 73, 104, 125, 144 and 169

284 Jer. 3:15

285 Proverbs 2:6; 8:12; 14:6; 15:14; 19:25; 28:2

286 Daniel 1:4

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Knowledge must lead to understanding - understanding of the divine and human reality. In the Old Testament, knowledge is always conceived in terms of understanding. The two are organically related. The two together constitute wisdom. So it is stated,

They have neither knowledge nor understanding; they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken . . . Teach me good judgement and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.²⁸³

Even Jeremiah the prophet had uttered, “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”²⁸⁴ ‘Knowledge and understanding’ is repeated several times in the Book of Proverbs in different contexts.²⁸⁵ ‘Understanding’ is very often conceived in terms of discretion and prudence. It is interesting to note that King Nebuchadnezzar had ordered for,

...young men (of course not women!!) without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king’s palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans.²⁸⁶

So it would be wrong to limit their knowledge and understanding to ‘spiritual’ or ‘religious’ matters. For them body, mind and spirit needed rearing and caring, nurturing and nourishment. They viewed them as a three-fold reality of the human and not in a hierarchical, linear way.

One good example from the Old Testament is Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, who ascended the throne in 970 B.C. At that critical juncture in his life, Solomon sought for divine guidance. He could not solely depend on his own expertise and experience. He did not ask God for a long life or wealth but for an ‘understanding mind’ or ‘a heart with skill to listen’. God responded to his request happily and said,

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287 I Kings 3:11-12a; read the whole section 3-14

288 I Kings 3: l6-28

289 Acts 22:3

290 Acts 18: 4

291 Acts 17:18

292 I Corinthians 1: 17-30; 2:1-13; 3:18-20; 8:1; 13:2, 8-9; II Corinthians 10:4b-5

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Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right. I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind²⁸⁷.

Obviously, knowledge and understanding, according to the Old Testament, ought to be for moral - ethical attitudes and actions. It must make one sensitive to the finer, higher qualities of life and living, the ability to distinguish between what is really good, just and right and what is bad, evil and not relevant for the vast majority of the people. Knowledge and understanding should not isolate or emasculate but engage in justice-oriented actions. According to the narrative, God obliges Solomon and he becomes a wise king. A profound understanding of the problems of the people marked Solomon’s reign. He was a great builder who built the historic temple in Jerusalem. The life of the nation as a whole was expanded under his rule. At the same time, we cannot forget the foibles and failures of the ancient monarchy²⁸⁸.

APOSTOLIC WITNESS

Peter was not educated but Paul was well trained in ancient wisdom under a Greek teacher, Gamaliel.²⁸⁹ He had training in Hebrew tradition and Greek thought²⁹⁰. I have already mentioned about his happy and stimulating encounter with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophies and philosophers in Athens.²⁹¹ He openly debated and discussed with them about religions and philosophies. They did not put him off. On the contrary, he appreciated and even incorporated their ancient wisdom in his own thinking and formulations. Paul, therefore, could not have been anti-intellectual or anti-knowledge. But again and again he made cautionary comments several of his letters about knowledge.²⁹²

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287 I Kings 3:11-12a; read the whole section 3-14

288 I Kings 3: l6-28

289 Acts 22:3

290 Acts 18: 4

291 Acts 17:18

292 I Corinthians 1: 17-30; 2:1-13; 3:18-20; 8:1; 13:2, 8-9; II Corinthians 10:4b-5

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There is an interesting encounter between Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, in charge of the queen’s whole treasury.²⁹³ From this story, we can draw a pertinent point about knowledge and understanding. The Ethiopian was reading prophet Isaiah and Philip asked,

‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him . . . Then Philip began to speak.²⁹⁴

This is an example of knowledge needing interpretation. Objectively, much depends on the character and content of knowledge itself. But more important is the mutual interaction between what is taught or learnt and who is the protagonist of that body of knowledge and what kind of bias or assumptions involved in it. The learned, educated Ethiopian was willing to listen and learn from Philip. That is the moment of ‘revelation’ of reality - the underlying, under guarding reality. This means that sometimes knowledge can be superficial or may hide more than reveal truth in its depth. Human selfishness or arrogance very often distorts knowledge and even understanding, blurring the necessary, significant distinctions. Sometimes it may be a serious choice between life and death. Thus we find Paul constantly and consistently engaged in explaining and interpreting the scripture in the light of the kingdom of God but finally repeated from prophet Isaiah,

You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. . . their ears are hard of hearing and they have shut their eyes so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart.²⁹⁵

Thus it is evidently clear that human sinfulness and selfishness can be a serious impediment to authentic knowledge and understanding. Consequently, according to the apostles, there is a need for a radical change of mind. Then knowledge and understanding can become transformative and genuinely communicative. The

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293 Acts 8:26-39

294 Acts 8:30b and 31 and 35a

295 Acts 28:26b and 27b; taken from Isaiah 6: 9-10

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Bible as a whole and the apostolic witness in particular bear ample testimony to such a knowledge. Such is the power of the Word (dabar in the Old Testament and logos in the New Testament). The author of the Book of Hebrews puts it powerfully,

The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through to where sword and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart.²⁹⁶

Words, alphabets and even sounds are constitutive of knowledge and for understanding. So it is vitally necessary to examine and evaluate critically the nature and content of knowledge imparted to us. Indeed the ancient authors were discerning, discrimination. Of course, they were not always right in their discernment and discrimination. One of the reasons was that very often they mixed divine wisdom with human wisdom or tried to rationalise their limited wisdom in the name of God.

GOSPEL TRUTH

As a Jewish rabbi, Jesus had to learn and understand the Jewish history and heritage, both religious and social. He was fully aware of the many rules and regulations, precepts and prohibitions that governed the life of the people. Obviously, Jesus was quite sensitive about the legacy of past. But that did not deter him from facing the truth or helping others to see it. Thus very often his teachings or the lessons emerged in the midst of a discussion or a debate. It was this interface that is crucial in the life and work, deeds and words of Jesus. His is a conversational, parabolic, illustrative teacher. In his teaching ministry, Jesus had realised quite early that the pursuit of knowledge and understanding is not always the pursuit of truth and reality. In fact people wanted to evade or avoid it. He confronted the people with this state of affairs.

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296 Hebrews 4:12

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Jesus confronted the people, “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my message “. ²⁹⁷ Jesus had expressed this idea powerfully in the following words, which he had inherited from the old prophetic tradition of the Jewish people. He had uttered,

This people will listen and listen, but not understand; they will look and look, but not see; because their minds are dull, and they have stopped up their ears and have closed their eyes.²⁹⁸

This means that much depends on subject- object relationship. So-called objective knowledge has to be received critically and carefully by the subject concerned. On the subjective side there are fundamental problems of human tendencies - one is liable to selfishness and stubbornness, arrogance and greed. From this point of view, knowledge itself can be manipulated or engineered by people with vested interests or reactionary, non-progressive attitude. Human beings are endowed with the physical faculties of eyes, ears and the brain and yet cannot comprehend the full nature and scope of knowledge. Human prejudices and presuppositions can thwart the full flourishing of knowledge and understanding. Therefore it must have physical-spiritual dimension. Real wisdom and knowledge must lead to freedom and liberation.

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free’...The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.²⁹⁹

From this perspective, knowledge and understanding must inevitably lead human beings to freedom and liberation, to joy and justice. It must be an instrument of change and transformation and not domestication and domination.

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297 John 8:43

298 Mathew 13:l4-l5a; Mark 4:10-13; Luke 8:9-10 and also Psalms 135:15-18

299 John 8:31-32, 35-36

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To conclude, in the Old Testament, wisdom is personified and made feminine. It must be productive and creative. In the John, it affirms, ‘The Word was made flesh’³⁰⁰. This means that word cannot anymore be isolated and abstract, indifferent to or insensitive about reality as a whole. The word becomes communicative and life giving. Thus we hear the repeated refrain in the Old Testament, ‘The word of the Lord came to...’ It is moving and dynamic. It has a life of its own, which it passes on to others.

THEOLOGICAL- ETHICAL AFFIRMATION

The Bible does not deal with science and technology. Consequently, it has nothing to say about advance scientific knowledge and advance technological life of the modern world. In fact it is pre-scientific and pre-enlightenment. But it talks about wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Surely, they have both intrinsic as well as instrumental value. The nature, scope and function of knowledge are delineated. It must clarify, open up new possibilities and make human beings truly free. Knowledge must lead to discernment, enlightenment and engagement. It must establish our priority, perspective and balance as human beings inhabiting this one earth. Finally, it must lead to integration and wholeness.

Science and technology per se is not good or evil. They can be put to evil use for personal or social elevation. Science and technology in the hands of the powerful people and nations can be used for selfish and greedy goals. The Bible sounds a warning through the prophets and the patriarchs, through the disciples and apostles and supremely through Jesus the Christ. It is vitally necessary to situate such knowledge within the divine milieu. Then we will know what to accept and affirm and what to reject or question in science and technology. Information technology or knowledge-based technology has definitively opened up a new horizon of life for a lot of people. Hubble telescope, Nano-technology (manoeuvred molecules), cracking of the genetic code and such others are beneficial at one level for some people. But they have also raised new problems like cyber-porn or cyber terrorism with hackers

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300 John 1:14

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or crackers having a field day. It is dangerous for a nation’s security and sovereignty. But more important is the digital divide between the rich and the poor. Today India has 30% of the world’s software engineers but it also has 25% of the world’s most malnourished. Can the many netizens in India and abroad deal with corruption in terms of bribery, tax evasion and black money?

Finally, modern science and technology are attempting to give a ‘face’ to their discoveries and inventions. But surely, Ananova cannot give a real human face to modern economic development. God in Jesus the Christ became personified, personal and intimate. We affirm a God with a human face.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION

How do you relate faith, science and advance technology? Indicate the positive and the negative aspects of the relationship.

Discuss the issue of euthanasia (mercy-killing) in the light of modern technology and the ancient Bible.

Examine carefully the issue of human cloning or organ transplantation from your faith-perspective. Is there a conflict? Why yes and why no?

FIELD EDUCATION

Make a study of the use of one of the latest techno- toys in your society/community/locality. You have to be highly selective - gender, age, expenses, to what use or misuse. Suggest one practical step you can take as an individual or a group to deal with the problem.

QUOTATIONS FOR PERSONAL AND GROUP REFLECTION

Scientists not only conceived of nuclear weapons; they also took political leaders by the lapels, arguing that their nation had to have one first. During the Cold War, the scientists in the United States, the Soviet Union, China and other nations

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were willing to expose their own fellow citizens to radiation. The atrocities cruelties of Nazi doctors are well known. Our technology has produced thalidomide, CFCS, Agent Orange, nerve gas, pollution of air and water, species extinctions, and industries so powerful they can ruin the climate of the planet. Roughly, half the scientists on earth work at least part - time for the military.

Digital communication has often been described as mind-to-mind communication. Since I do not see my correspondent’s body, when someone sends me an e-mail message, I have no physical clues to help the communication; no gestures, facial expressions, or tones of voice, not even a piece of paper with my correspondent’s handwriting or signature - the minimal physical clues present when I receive a letter by mail. The removal of the body as a factor in communication is of great concern to some critics, who claim that digital technology removes us from contact with physical reality. The point is that in cyberspace we can construct worlds that have no connection with physical reality. As communication is removed further and further from physical presence, we seem to impoverish what truly human communication can be.

Since all natural phenomena are ultimately interconnected, in order to explain any one of them, we need to understand all the others, which is obviously impossible. What makes it possible to turn the systems approach into a science is the discovery that there is approximate knowledge. The old paradigm is based on the Cartesian belief in the certainty of scientific knowledge. In the new paradigm it is recognized that all scientific concepts and theories are limited and approximate. Science can never provide any complete and definitive understanding.

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REFERENCES

Capra, Fritjof, The Tao of Physics, Boston: Shambhala, Third Updated edition, 1991

Capra, Fritjof, The Web of Life: A New Synthesis of Mind and Matter, London: Harper-Collins Publishers, 1996

Gosling, David, Science and Religion in India, Madras: Christian Literature Society, 1976

Lochhead, David, Shifting Realities: Information Technology and the Church, Geneva WCC: Publications, 1997

Mazumdar, Amiya Kumar (ed.), Faith and Reason: The Indian Scene and Experience Calcutta: The Asiatic Society, 1999

Sagan, Carl, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, New York: Random House, 1995