Exploring both fields of study, says BYUH professors and a student, people learn how the two coexist and better navigate the complexities of life
Dr. Daniel Sharp and Dr. Georgi Lukov highlighted how their professional fields align with their faith, while Bessie Fabia shared her personal journey of reconciling scientific theories with gospel principles. Although some see these fields as opposing forces, Dr. Sharp said, “Both are tools for understanding the world, and they’re not necessarily in opposition… God gave us intelligence and reason to understand our surroundings. Science is one way to do that,” he said.
The false dichotomy
Dr. Sharp, a professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language, and Performing Arts and the Faculty of Religious Education with a PhD in religious studies, said the perceived conflict between science and religion is a false dichotomy. “The idea that science and religion are at odds is a media-made narrative,” Dr. Sharp explained.
By studying early Christian texts and reflecting on his own conversion journey, Sharp shared he has developed a perspective that sees science and religion as complementary rather than competing forces. “Many great scientists, such as Isaac Newton, have been deeply religious throughout history. These two realms have often worked in harmony,” he said.
Sharp said faith is often misunderstood as being entirely separate from evidence. He compared the process of faith to scientific experimentation, citing Alma 32 in the Book of Mormon: “If ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed… it will begin to swell within your breasts.” “This passage encourages readers to experiment with the word, observe its effects and assess its truth. It’s very much like a scientific method applied to spirituality,” he said.
Sharp also said scriptures should be viewed as theological texts rather than historical or scientific records. “The authors of the Bible weren’t writing history books. They were writing testimonies,” he continued. He emphasized the importance of understanding the intent behind the writings in the scriptures. “If you fact-check someone’s testimony for historical accuracy, you miss the point of their spiritual message. It’s the same with scripture,” Sharp said.
The history behind science and religion
Sharp highlighted the Enlightenment, an intellectual movement that emphasized reason, science and individual rights as a turning point in the relationship between science and religion. During this period from the late 1600s to the early 1800s, he said thinkers began emphasizing reason and natural theology to explain God’s existence. “However, the rise of theories like Darwin’s natural selection challenged these ideas,” he said.
“The tension wasn’t about science disproving religion,” said Sharp. “It was about how people had used nature to prove God’s existence by using the complexity and design of living organisms as evidence of a creator. When alternate explanations like evolution arose, it created conflict.”
Historically, Sharp added, science and religion have worked together harmoniously, especially before the Enlightenment. He said figures like Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin saw the universe’s structure as evidence of divine design. “Even Galileo, often portrayed as a victim of science versus religion, was more about differing interpretations of scripture than a direct conflict,” Sharp explained.
Sharp said he sees science as a tool for exploring the world that complements faith. He said, “By recognizing the unique roles of science and religion, we can create a dialogue that fosters deeper understanding,” he added.
God’s intelligent design
When asked about the co-existence of science and religion, Lukov, a professor in the Faculty of Sciences from Bulgaria with a medical degree and a doctorate in biochemistry, said, “Truth is truth, whether discovered through scientific inquiry or spiritual insight.”
Lukov said he teaches courses ranging from introductory chemistry to advanced biochemistry labs, and he applies the scientific method not only in his research but also in his daily life. “Science helps us understand how things work, while faith helps us understand why,” he said. By exploring both fields, Lukov said individuals can discover the explain a lot of things with the support of science and at the same time, there’s evidence from the gospel,” she added.
Fabia said she learned science and religion complement each other through general conference talks. “Elder Bednar, in his October 2018 General Conference talk, said, “The methods of science lead us to what we call scientific truth. But ‘scientific truth’ is not the whole of life.” Fabia shared this talk helped her see how the two can coexist. Fabia said she believed the schools do not necessarily address the relationship between science and religion, but it should be left to individual students. “Religion is more of a personal learning experience rather than something that should just be taught in schools,” she said. “If schools want to include it, that’s fine, but it’s not necessary. It’s up to complementary nature of science and religion, using both to navigate life’s complexities. “Faith is acting without complete knowledge and learning from the outcomes,” Lukov said. “It’s a process of experimentation, much like the scientific method and it builds conviction over time,” he added.
As someone who came to religion later in life, Lukov said his faith strengthened through personal experience. “I don’t separate science and faith because both seek to uncover truths about our existence,” he said.
Lukov also said challenges often arise when people misunderstand the purpose of either science or religion. “Some people see scientific discoveries as disproving God, but to me they’re evidence of intelligent design,” he said. He emphasized understanding natural laws enhances, rather than diminishes, his view of God.
While science relies on measurable data, Lukov said faith requires a different kind of the student to understand,” she added.
Fabia shared how she has encountered conflicts between scientific discoveries and religious beliefs, particularly regarding creation. “In church, we’re taught about creation—that the Earth was created little by little over six days. But in science, it’s taught that everything was a coincidence, like the Big Bang happened and then we have the Earth,” she said. Fabia said it’s totally different, but it helped her think critically about both perspectives.
Balancing science and religion can benefit society by providing both purpose and innovation, said Fabia. “Religion makes you feel human and gives you a sense of belonging and purpose,” she explained. “Science, on the other hand, is professional and focused on discovery, but religion reminds you there’s proof. “Faith is deeply personal and built through individual experiences,” he explained. He likened trust in the scriptures to trust in scientific research, highlighting that both requires belief in principles and ideas that may not always be immediately tangible.
In guiding students who struggle with the intersection of science and faith, Lukov said he encourages them to act on trust and evaluate the outcomes. “Faith and action are inseparable. You must be willing to step forward without full knowledge and in doing so, you learn and grow,” he said.
Science leads to truth
Fabia, a junior majoring in marketing and business management at BYUH, said she used to believe science and faith couldn’t coexist, but she was wrong. “I used to think they’re completely different,” Fabia said. “But the more I learn about the gospel, the more I can see they really go well together. You can more to life and you have a purpose.”
Fabia mentioned President Russell M. Nelson, a heart surgeon and leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as an example of someone who bridges science and religion. “President Nelson is so good at what he does, but he knows all his gifts and talents come from God,” she said. “It’s about learning as much as you can while keeping an eternal perspective.”
Fabia said she is optimistic about the future relationship between science and religion. “With all the technologies we have and how the church approaches them, I think science and religion will continue to complement each other in the future,” she said.