I recently came across this infographic from Edutopia.org on the value of a STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). I think it does a great job outlining the 'why' of focusing on the sciences and math in our schools: STEM is where the jobs are now and where they will be in the future.
However, I do have something to add--something these articles understandably miss most of the time. The primary reason we study the sciences is not to simply get good jobs but rather to better understand the world around us; better understanding of the creation leads us to better understanding of the Creator. This is the reason the sciences flourished under the pre-Reformation Catholic church and in the Protestant church afterward; all truth is God's truth. There is not and cannot be antagonism between the sciences and Scripture because they are both works of the same author; they both point to God. If an apparent conflict exists, we do not assume one or the other is wrong but that our current interpretation is wrong.
We study the sciences not only because they help get us good jobs but also because they help us worship the Risen Christ with our head as well as our heart.
(I LOVE to talk about this subject and can point you to more books and websites than you can shake a stick at. If I had to pick, I'd probably start with the Colossian Forum. Feel free to buy me a cup of coffee some time and I'd be happy to talk chat you up about the relationship between religion and science.)
However, I do have something to add--something these articles understandably miss most of the time. The primary reason we study the sciences is not to simply get good jobs but rather to better understand the world around us; better understanding of the creation leads us to better understanding of the Creator. This is the reason the sciences flourished under the pre-Reformation Catholic church and in the Protestant church afterward; all truth is God's truth. There is not and cannot be antagonism between the sciences and Scripture because they are both works of the same author; they both point to God. If an apparent conflict exists, we do not assume one or the other is wrong but that our current interpretation is wrong.
We study the sciences not only because they help get us good jobs but also because they help us worship the Risen Christ with our head as well as our heart.
(I LOVE to talk about this subject and can point you to more books and websites than you can shake a stick at. If I had to pick, I'd probably start with the Colossian Forum. Feel free to buy me a cup of coffee some time and I'd be happy to talk chat you up about the relationship between religion and science.)
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