Woe to Those Who Call Good Evil: Science, Faith, and the Call to Co-Labor with God
Isaiah 5:20 warns, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” This verse is often used to highlight moral and ethical dilemmas, but today, I want to discuss it in a context that may challenge some perspectives: the relationship between faith and scientific advancement.
Too often, Christians have looked at scientific progress and labeled it as evil, as though the pursuit of knowledge were somehow in opposition to God. But when we look at the creation narrative, God repeatedly calls His work good. The world, the universe, the laws of physics—everything we uncover through science is a reflection of God’s divine order.
God Calls Creation Good
Genesis tells us that when God looked at His creation, He declared it to be good. That includes the vast galaxies, the intricate details of biology, and the mysteries of quantum physics. When we explore these things, we are not working against God—we are fulfilling the very mandate He gave us to subdue and steward the earth (Genesis 1:28).
Yet, despite this, there has been a long history of conflict between science and faith, much of it unnecessary. The idea that studying the natural world is somehow an act of rebellion against God is a distortion of biblical teaching.
The Unnecessary Battle Between Faith and Science
For centuries, Christians have been involved in some of the greatest scientific discoveries. Isaac Newton, Johannes Kepler, and Gregor Mendel were all men of deep faith who saw their work as uncovering the secrets of God’s creation. Yet, somewhere along the way, many believers adopted the idea that science and faith are at odds.
One of the most heated debates has been over evolution. For many, evolution is seen as an attack on God’s creative power, but must it be? Whether one believes in young-earth creationism or theistic evolution, the central truth remains: God is the Creator. Science does not disprove God; it merely seeks to understand the methods He used.
By rejecting scientific progress, some Christians have, perhaps unknowingly, fallen into the very warning of Isaiah 5:20—calling what is good (scientific discovery) evil. We must ask ourselves: are we resisting truth because it challenges our understanding, or because it genuinely contradicts God’s revelation?
Technology and the Church: A Wake-Up Call
Today, technological advancement is happening at an unprecedented rate. Artificial intelligence, medical breakthroughs, renewable energy—these are all innovations that have the potential to improve lives. And yet, some Christians resist them, claiming they are unnatural or even demonic. But is this rejection rooted in biblical truth or in fear of the unknown?
Consider this: if God gave us the ability to heal diseases through medicine, is it not a gift? If we can develop AI to assist with humanitarian work, is that not an extension of our God-given wisdom? The world is a place of abundance, and technology can be a tool for good. The question is not whether it should exist, but how we, as Christians, should steward it.
Co-Laboring with God
We are not called to retreat from the world, but to engage with it. We are meant to be co-laborers with God (1 Corinthians 3:9), working alongside Him to bring restoration, healing, and progress. Rejecting knowledge out of fear is not faith—it is avoidance.
Instead of fearing science and technology, we should be leading the conversations around them. Ethical AI? Christians should be at the forefront. Environmental stewardship? The church should be setting the example. Medical advancements? We should be championing ways to use them for God’s glory.
A Call to Readdress Our Mindset
The church must shift its perspective. If we continue to resist progress, we risk becoming irrelevant to a world that is moving forward. But if we embrace the pursuit of knowledge with discernment and wisdom, we can influence the future in a way that honors God.
So, to all who call scientific advancement evil—woe to you. Not because science is a replacement for God, but because rejecting knowledge is rejecting the very order God established. The pursuit of truth, when done with integrity, will always lead back to the Creator.
If we truly believe that all truth is God’s truth, then we must embrace discovery, exploration, and innovation. We must be fearless in the face of progress, knowing that our faith is not threatened by science—it is affirmed by it.
The future is being shaped right now. Will the church be a part of it, or will it be left behind?
Let’s have the conversation. Let’s engage with technology, science, and the modern world as Christians who are confident, informed, and unafraid. Because when God looked at the world, He called it good.
And so should we.
