The Bible and its literal interpretation have played
a vital role in the development of Western science

Peter Harrison
Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford,
Fellow of Harris Manchester College

It is commonly supposed that when in the early modern period individuals began to look at the world in a different way, they could no longer believe what they read in the Bible. In this book I shall suggest that the reverse is the case: that when in the sixteenth century people began to read the Bible in a different way, they found themselves forced to jettison traditional conceptions of the world.¹

Had it not been for the rise of the literal interpretation of the Bible and the subsequent appropriation of biblical narratives by early modern scientists, modern science may not have arisen at all. In sum, the Bible and its literal interpretation have played a vital role in the development of Western science.²

Related articles

• The biblical roots of modern science: A Christian world view, and in particular a plain understanding of Scripture and Adam’s Fall, was essential for the rise of modern science
• The Fall of Adam played a vital role in the development of Western science—Peter Harrison
• Modern science owes much to straightforward understanding of Scripture—Stephen Sbobelen
• The biblical presuppositions required for science
• The biblical origins of science: A review of For The Glory of God: How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch-hunts and the End of Slavery by Rodney Stark, 2003
• Christianity as progress: A review of The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success by Rodney Stark, 2005.
• Scientists of the past who believed in a Creator

References

1. Harrison, P., The Bible, Protestantism and the rise of natural science, Cambridge University Press, 1998. Return to text.
2. Harrison, P., The Bible and the rise of science, Australasian Science 23(3):14–15, 2002. Return to text.

It has been said that “Information is power”. When it comes to creation information we’d have to agree. Keep the ‘powerful’ evidence for God being Creator coming.