by Donold S. Robertson, Ph.D.
Out of the Lab
J ® ! » * ■ i
Dr. Robertson: For plants, hereditary problems.
T he accomplishments of science have revealed a complex universe which appears to be operating as an immense machine. A few of the parts have been extensively analyzed and some clues as to how the parts fit together have been gained but there is still much about its operation that is yet to be revealed. As the scientist has gathered more and more data, the more overwhelm ing becomes the evidence that every thing proceeds in an orderly fashion and the greater becomes his optimism that those things that are incompre hensible today will yield to the in vestigations of tomorrow’s scientist. This mechanistic viewpoint is essen tial to the scientific procedure, for without it there would have been no reason for the study of nature in the first place nor would there be any hope of unraveling the complex prob lems that face the scientist today. Although the scientist has found a mechanistic universe, he has no ade quate explanation for why it should
Thus the Christian scientist can answer from within the framework of his faith a problem concerning nature which the scientific method leaves unanswered. Last column. We have felt it has been a great privilege to have Dr. Robertson as a monthly writer for The King's Business since April 1953. During this time he has been head of the Science Dept, at the Biola Bible College. He has resigned this position and starting this month will be on the teaching and research staff of Iowa State College. Robertson, 36, is a graduate of Stanford and has a Ph.D. degree from CalTech. His major research has been in the field of plont genetics centering on the hereditary problems in corn. His outstanding re search in this field has been recognized by scientific journals that have published his studies. — ED.
be so constituted. He can only de scribe the universe as he finds it and cannot properly ask why except as it can be answered within cause-effect relationships. Such restrictions apply equally to all scientists whether they be Christian or non-Christian. However, the faith of the Christian scientist provides an explanation, for it has revealed to him the creator of all nature, the Master Mechanic responsible for the “machine” upon which the scientist is so diligently working. A “machine” that first had its origin in the mind of God and was brought into existence and sustained by the power of God. “ Praise ye the L o r d . . . . Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heav ens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the L o r d : for he com manded, and they were created. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass” (Psa. 148:1-6).
1»
The King's Business/September 1957
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker