WASHINGTON — From the 17th-century ban by the Vatican of
Copernicus' mathematical calculation that the sun was at the center of the
solar system to modern-day arguments about evolution's compatibility with a
belief in God, science and faith have regularly butted heads in the public
square.
Seeking to illuminate these debates for the public is the Museum
of the Bible in Washington, which announced April 1 that it would be using
sizable grants from the John Templeton Foundation and the Templeton Religion
Trust toward fostering a "greater understanding of the shared curiosity
about our world that stimulates both scientific inquiry and biblical
interpretation."
The museum will be working with a panel of scholars and
scientists from around the world to develop the exhibits as well as
accompanying educational materials for classroom use.
Artifacts from the museum's collection and those borrowed from
other institutions also will play a role in breaking open these mysteries for
museum visitors.
"In keeping with the museum's intent to cater to all
learning styles, this exhibition will not only be informative but engaging ...
we hope guests will leave with a deeper appreciation for humanity's shared
curiosity in the big questions that ultimately inspire both scientific inquiry
and biblical exploration," Ken McKenzie, Museum of the Bible president and
CEO, said in a statement.
The exhibits will be divided among six sections, each of which
will be devoted to pressing existential questions about the beginning of the
universe, what keeps it running, how humans and animals differ, what humans
"are made of" and if humanity is alone in the universe.
McKenzie said the answers to such questions would bolster
conversations on two oft-ignored aspects of science, specifically "what
... science mean(s) for the existence and activity of God" and what
science means for the "sacredness of humanity."
He also noted that the decision to have such an exhibit emerged
because people are beginning to view science and religion as a false dichotomy
of thought.
"As we look at what some of the topics guests ask us about
... science keeps coming up," McKenzie explained, saying that
"(especially) within the North American community, the conversations
happen apart from each other."
However, McKenzie and his colleagues studied the issues more
closely and found that the public is not always fairly informed. "We
started to find a lot of work that has been done in the scientific community
brings them (science and the Bible) together," he said.
When asked if he hopes that other museums will follow in the
interdisciplinary footsteps of the Museum of the Bible, McKenzie seemed
optimistic.
"Personally my answer is yes. ... We hope that it engenders
a debate and a discussion ... about the myths that have surrounded these two
topics," McKenzie said.