the Plight of the Academic

Science Not Concerned with the Supernatural

I am currently enrolled in an introductory course to psychological science at Cal State LA.  Don't get me wrong, I have thoroughly enjoyed the educational opportunity I have here, but it is a bit simplistic.  After receiving A's in so many upper-division 400 level psychology classes, this 200 level class did not cause too much pre-quarter anxiety.  However, as we got to talking about various topics during class discussions, the subject of how much modern science is at odds with traditional (and often stereotypical) organized religion kept on coming up.

From what I gathered from the lecture material, science is man's honest effort to seek out truth about all NATURAL phenomena through very controlled procedures.  Science provides man the opportunity to come to very concrete and sure conclusions by using the five senses, as well as overt observations.

However, "science is NOT interested in the supernatural," my professor exclaimed.  This was to me a bit comforting, as she later added that she was not refuting any supernatural phenomena, but was only interested in coming up with scientifically natural explanations so that supernatural explanations would seem less likely.  When she said this, I felt she was very strongly implying that there are 'reasonable' explanations, and that God did not fit into the picture.  There was no need to resort to supernatural explanations if there were viable natural explanations available.

Needless to say, I was a bit shaken from hearing this.  Who would have thought I would go through this in a lower-division class—especially after taking so many upper-division classes.  I would have thought that I would be challenged the higher and deeper I got into the subject of Psychology...but I guess that's God's way of humbling me.

We watched a film about a guy who went around the world operationally investigating the claims of various supernatural claims.  He visited acclaimed psychics and exposed them as frauds.  The basic conclusions he came to were as follows.  The success of these alleged psychics was perpetuated by the vague descriptions and 'fortunes' that people naturally want to believe.  Now, how could a multi-million dollar industry be supported by these two things?  The narrator explained further.

Having my Faith Shaken like a Salt-Shaker!

Later in the film, the narrator proposed that such fraud has existed due to this question: "What is it that people are seeking and wanting in return?  People are wanting something to believe in...something that explains things."  In my mind, there were a couple of scary parallels to the core beliefs I have held onto for most of my life.

1. Being open to God working could possibly be paralleled with wanting to see things match up and actively looking for 'coincidences.'
2. Receiving visions, images, and words could possibly be like the vague images that people want so much to identify with.

In response to these, there MUST be a CLEAR distinction between the fake trickery of those only after fame and money, and what is REAL and authentically from God.  True experiences with God can even come when we are NOT actively seeking and waiting for them.  God is not subject to the natural laws of action and reaction.

Ultimately, it comes down to this: if Jesus did in fact die for sin and rise from the dead (proclaiming His power over the natural path to death that all humans are subject to), then He is definitely NOT subject to natural laws and cannot be studied under the limited lens of science (that cannot explain the supernatural).

The simple truth is that not many would follow Jesus if He had just died for sin.  I mean, people would honor Him and ascribe thanks to what He did, but not many would follow Him.  The fact that He rose from the dead changes the whole ball game!  We don't worship and follow and commune with just the spirit of a dead guy...we are allowed into the presence of God because of His death and resurrection!

To sum it up though, I was totally not expecting to be challenged to think this much in an introductory psychology class, but it was a good exercise in my faith.  Oooohhh, I FEEL them spiritual muscles being WORKED ;)