Four ways to serve Christ in science

In the book of Exodus (31-37) we read of the detailed construction of the Tent of Meeting - a portable temple.

This temple required the deployment of gifts of early materials science, engineering and artistry, and by His Spirit, God gave notable gifts to artisans Bezalel and Aholiab. This narrative is “the first explicit treatment of the doctrine of vocation in the Bible" (Gene Veith: God at Work).

Most Christians are familiar with the lists of spiritual gifts and graces in the New Testament. But what is the difference between a gift and a grace? Arguably, spiritual ‘graces’ are qualities that every Christian is summoned to exhibit, such as faith, hope, love, kindness, gentleness - and many others. In contrast, ‘spiritual gifts’ are endowments that differ in their distribution within a Christian community. Yet, such gifts can and should be exercised together in harmony, like musicians with different instruments in an orchestra.

Human societies are highly differentiated and require a huge diversity of employees and skill sets. Among my own family members and friends there is a wide range of vocations. My primary lifework has been set within the scientific community. Even this is diverse. I have been employed within academia, but with extensive collaboration with both industry and healthcare professionals. Strengthened by the weekly fellowship, ministry and worship of my local church, it has been my calling to labour in a deeply secular university for more than 50 years as someone unashamed of the gospel and the claims of God.

When you get to know the employees in a university and the global participants in a specific scientific research discipline, however, these communities are not so uniformly secular or atheistic as is often supposed. God has His people here also. On historical and international scales, Wikipedia, for example, has a long list of Christians in science and technology.

But irrespective of whether we feel isolated, or not, God has placed us in a work situation where we can live as Christ’s servants.

What might that look like? Here are some pointers, that apply to many work contexts, but particularly to most scientific communities. Our emphasis here is on practical issues rather than real or imagined ‘conflicts’ between scientific and theological accounts of reality.

1. Vision and organisation
   Our God is the God of purpose and organisation, as we learn from the outset of Holy Scripture. As image-bearers of God we find ourselves tasked with managing and caring for God’s world. The scientific enterprise is properly concerned with discovering how secondary causes interact within the universe at all size-scales, especially in the terrestrial world for reasons of accessibility and human flourishing. If we are academic researchers, we must identify feasible scientific goals, guided by our educational background and the research literature in our field. As believers, we may attribute insights and inspiration to divine aid, though we must be able to share these with colleagues in our workplace and community.
   
   Particularly at the outset of a scientific career, we may be constrained by the interests of our superiors and should respect their advice and guidance. In industrial research, the goals will similarly be set by company policy, even if we discover unexpected and innovative pathways and eventually gain responsibility for policy targets. In practical terms, we can honour God by accepting corporate goals and working towards them patiently and collaboratively. A substantial volume of academic research is conducted by PhD candidates or postdoctoral researchers. They expect to receive expert guidance in the laboratory from their senior academic mentors. In turn, young researchers must live disciplined lives as experimental research involves meticulous attention to detail.
   
2. Integrity and honesty
   The great majority of scientists are honest in their record keeping, reporting and publications. For the Christian, we are ultimately working for the Lord. But, irrespective of personal ethics, scientists know that published work must first be subject to independent, anonymous review by experts appointed by the journal editor. Moreover, another research group may repeat the work and will announce it if their results are at variance. It pays to be honest!
   
   Nevertheless, some published work may turn out to be fraudulent. But there are many, lower-level situations that call for integrity. Experimental results can fail to fit theoretical expectations. If so, we must acknowledge the fact. I know of instances where such discrepancies were obscured with devastating consequences for long-term reputations.
   
3. Patience and humility
   Both experimental and theoretical aspects of research can make great demands upon our patience. Sometimes this involves designing new types of instruments that might involve hundreds of prototypes, as Sir James Dyson has related. However, in due time it is possible to reap great success and renown. But the Apostle Paul asked rhetorically, “What do we have that we did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7), which emphasises the idea that all good gifts are from God. It is a reminder to be humble and avoid boasting, as we should acknowledge that everything we possess, including our talents and abilities remain divine gifts, however hard we have worked to develop them. Moreover, jealousy of the achievements of others is a besetting sin - and secular academic life is notorious for it.
   
4. Encouragement and joy
   Scientific research is mostly a team activity. Especially this is the case with a PhD candidate and their academic mentor, working together intensively for three years or more. It is not uncommon for the student to experience a significant dip in morale part way through. Then the scientific mentor needs to step up with pastoral support and encouragement, showing kindness and grace. Particularly, this has been the case during the Covid pandemic and associated lockdown. However, it is a source of great joy when the thesis is finished, the viva (examination) is successful, and the work is published and probably presented at an international conference. All the long days and nights of toil are almost forgotten. This is also an encouragement to beginning members of the laboratory team.

For the career scientist and mentor, the haunting existential question remains: When I pass from this present earthly life, will I be remembered? As Psalm 103:15 laments:

“As for man, his days are like grass: he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more."
“But”, the Psalm continues, “the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him." The believer has a destiny along with the angels in heaven and all His works in all places of His dominion - to bless the LORD for evermore.

As Revelation 21:24 unveils: “The kings of the earth will bring their glory into it [the Holy City]."

No worthwhile cultural achievement will be lost. Our labour in the LORD is not in vain!