Original Research

When do religion and science meet in uncertainty?

Sonny E. Zaluchu, Jacob D. Engel
Verbum et Ecclesia | Vol 43, No 1 | a2489 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v43i1.2489 | © 2022 Sonny E. Zaluchu, Jacob D. Engel | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 08 February 2022 | Published: 14 April 2022

About the author(s)

Sonny E. Zaluchu, Faculty of Theology, Indonesia Baptist Theological Seminary, Semarang, Indonesia
Jacob D. Engel, Department of Sociology of Religion, Faculty of Theology, Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Salatiga, Indonesia

Abstract

This study reports on the concept of uncertainty through the words of Agur in the Book of Proverbs about four observed objects, namely the way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a rock, the way of a ship amid the sea, and the way of a man with a woman. The approach used to explore those words is the uncertainty theory by Heisenberg and the falsification method by Popper. It can be concluded that uncertainty is one of the themes of the Bible that unites science and religion in a dialogical manner. The finding strengthens the perspective that science can demonstrate and strengthen the Bible narrations through certain themes. The study also shows that the metaphysic statements of the holy book are not always normative and can be accepted as the source of knowledge supporting its own methodology.

Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This research strengthens the intersection of religion and science. Although the two methodologies are different, there are intersection points where the two can explain and confirm each other.


Keywords

uncertainty law of Heisenberg; Popper's falsification; Bible; science; religion; Book of Proverbs 30:18–19

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