God does not Trump Theory

It is a pity this has to be said particularly because it is obvious to most people.  But Christians take note, God does not trump theory.  Neither does the Bible, whether or not you believe it is God's inerrant word.  The reason for this is to do with the nature of theory. 

It is the nature of scientific theory that it can be shown to be wrong.  Usually a conjecture is formulated as a hypothesis, something which can be shown to be either right or wrong through experiment.  A theory is a hypothesis that has outlived many experiments and is, for now, accepted as true. 

In principle it is still possible someone will prove some currently accepted theory wrong.  This provisional status of even the most long-lived theories is the essence of science.  Science does not and could not deal in certainties or absolutes.

In practice theories are rarely fully overturned.  Newton's theories for example have been superseded but are still good approximations to what happens in the everyday world.  Some theories, such as evolution are difficult to test experimentally or through observation but the challenge is there - if someone comes up with a better theory, a theory with a better fit to the observable facts, then it will in time be accepted.

But to refer to Genesis as a counter to the theory of evolution is an error of logical typing.  Those who do this are not playing the same game as scientists.  It is bad science and more seriously bad theology.

Theologians need to look at science as a conversation with nature.  If it were possible to disprove the theory of evolution using scientific methods, this would not open the door to creationism or intelligent design.  The theory would be replaced by another scientific theory, possibly just as controversial. 

If conflict between two theories could be likened to two great bears wrestling; the conflict between science and religion might be likened to a bear wrestling a teapot.  Teapots are not designed to wrestle bears and are likely to be severely damaged.  They do have their own purpose which bears do not understand.  Many scientists do understand theology and so here the analogy breaks down to some extent.