oa Science and the Heart of Religion

In this article, Philip Clayton focuses on science as an important but underutilized resource to help Muslims, Jews, and Christians recognize what we share in common. There are at least five significant ways in which science can be helpful to the interfaith dialogue: 1) The common respect that scientists share for each other’s work can help them learn to respect each other’s religion just as deeply. 2) The very differences of the sciences from religion serve to draw the religions closer together. 3) Even the similarities between science and religion deepen our sense of the common threads that bind us together. 4)Science appears most noble when seen in the light of religion, and religion can perceive its essence most clearly when it is viewed in the light of science. 5) The study of the natural world and the study of God’s revelation through his prophets offer two forms of knowledge of the one ultimate reality. When we see both as means to divine understanding, we better understand the nature of religion.