To a greater extent than in the past, faith is now being subjected to a series of questions arising from a changed mentality which, especially today, limits the field of rational certainties to that of scientific and technological discoveries. Nevertheless, the Church has never been afraid of demonstrating that there cannot be any conflict between faith and genuine science, because both, albeit via different routes, tend towards the truth. — Pope Benedict XVI, Porta Fidei, “The Door of Faith,” calling for a Year of Faith.
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| Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J. |
MADISON — As we approach the conclusion of this holy Year of Faith on November 24, the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Diocese of Madison is dedicating the fall St. Thérèse Lecture to the important topic of the relationship between science and faith.
There may be no one better to speak on this topic than Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., former president of Gonzaga University and current president of the Magis Center of Reason & Faith.
Father Spitzer has written and spoken extensively on the status of physical time, the intersection between physics and metaphysics, and the evidence for God from physics, logic, and the philosophy of mathematics — making these complex topics accessible to varieties of listeners all over the world, including on national television shows, dozens of nationally syndicated radio programs, and hundreds of live audiences.
He has published five books including the award winning New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy. He is the author of many scholarly articles and a producer of documentaries in the field of contemporary cosmology and creation.
Proof of God’s existence
Father Spitzer emphasizes how there has never been more evidence from physics for the existence of a transcendent being, a Creator, along with evidence for the fine-tuning of the universe, and even a supernatural design of the universe by a super-intellectual being.
It is therefore a great time to bring into clear relief the compatibility between reason and faith, and in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, “between faith and genuine science.”
However, as such evidence continues to mount, there is an ironic contrast in popular culture where movements such as “The New Atheism” are arising, with leaders such as the late Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins, the members of which even at times attempt to provide scientific arguments to support their atheistic beliefs.
Father Spitzer illustrates how such arguments routinely omit prominent scientific discoveries and studies that undermine their conclusions.
These omitted discoveries and studies are published in the top peer-reviewed physics journals in the United States, Canada, and Eur-ope. Thus, Father Spitzer contests, any competent physicist should know and understand this evidence.
But if this is the case, why would such physicists not be acknowledging and addressing this evidence? “Why keep people in the dark (at such) a fascinating time?” asks Father Spitzer.
Responding to atheists
While we can be sure there are many sincere agnostics in the scientific community, Father Spitzer seeks to respond to this militant atheist movement which currently enjoys a certain media prestige.
For him, it is important to ensure that people are getting a whole set of facts and not being fed just a partial package or an incomplete set of data omitting all the inconvenient truths that would undermine the points of view of these atheistic commentators. This regular omission of data, he asserts, clearly indicates motives which “are not purely scientific.”
Indeed, Father Spitzer stresses that the evidence for God from physics and elsewhere is simply amazing and using this very solid basis of reason and genuine science — revealing how knowledge of, and belief in, God are most reasonable — is an excellent means to pave the way for the New Evangelization and the Catholic faith, which remains extraordinarily reasonable.
Father Spitzer wants to ensure people get the complete picture and whole story and thus have a means for judging such arguments for themselves. For, he states, “If we do get the (scientific) facts straight, it literally leads right into the mind and the heart of God. And that is something to behold particularly in an age when people would not have it so.”
St. Thérèse Lecture
Join Bishop Robert C. Morlino in welcoming Father Spitzer as our guest speaker at this fall’s St. Thérèse Lecture on Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. Father Spitzer’s presentation is titled “From Physics to the Existence and Love of God.” A wine and cake reception will follow.
All the faithful in the Diocese of Madison are cordially invited to attend this special Year of Faith lecture. Though it is not necessary for attending this free event, register at the following website so we may appropriately prepare for the honor of your presence: www.madisondiocese.org/stls
Patrick Delaney is director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Diocese of Madison.