Did Christianity Inhibit the Progress of Science?

Galileo Galilei and Nicholas Copernicus, Christian Minds on Fire for the Truth 

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Introduction 

The identification of the Early Church as a source of repression against the progress of science and technology, is a categorical philosophical mistake and historical anachronism, a common modern psychological projection that reinforces biases of our own modern superiority. This theory of technological repression through religion was primarily championed by Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,” Voltaire’s enlightenment arguments against Christian Faith and organized religion using Giordano Bruno and Galileo as archetypes, and Karl Marx in his substantially untrue and false account of economic progress, defined in his important work “Das Kapital.” Interestingly enough, the worldview that accuses religion of all the social ills of mankind, calling it the “opiate of the people,” was directly responsible for the most murders in human history - over 120 million people in the 20th century alone! 

Early Christian luminaries and monastics copied and preserved the ancient classics of the Greeks and Romans, such as Plato, Aristotle, Thucydides, Galan, Herodotus, Tacitus, Julius Caesar. While there was some persecution of paganism, slavery, human sacrifice and temple prostitution under multiple Christian Emperors, the Christian world was much harsher towards its own icons and symbols during times of Iconoclasm and Reformation than it ever was towards the Ancient Pagen World. The painstaking measures taken by the Christian community to preserve the ancient pagan past, regardless of the ideological differences, shows a broadness and willingness to look at history with mercy and understanding, rather than reaction, hate, or fear. This is important to remember today as many historians attempt to compare the weak and intolerant attitudes of the “Woke” with Early Christianity and equivocate the two. 

It is also important to remember that the so-called “Golden Age” under the Islamic Kalifate was due to the Syriac Christian dhimmi, a persecuted “millet” within the Muslim empire, tirelessly working to translate classical Greek literature and philosophy into Arabic. Christian scholars wrote philosophical and scientific works on medicine, ethics, psychology law, and the human condition, preserving the knowledge of the ancient world. This aspect of Islamic Science is now popularly overlooked in favor of a narrative that gives Muslim scholarship far too much credit. 

The contributions of numerous Christian scientists throughout history further dispel the notion that Christianity has been antagonistic to scientific progress. As Scripture advises, "Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21), the Church discerned and maintained valuable ancient knowledge. To argue that Christianity destroyed scientific progress or set the world back into a Dark Age is a historically untenable and losing premise! Rather, Christianity has overwhelmingly been a force for syncretism, appreciation, preservation, and hearty debate, allowing for freedom of choice, personal decision and the respect due to hard-won experience through inquiry - all due to the unique doctrine of the “Imago Dei!” 

A Still from the Movie “Agora” showing Hypatia of Alexandria

St. Athanasius Portrayed as a Spineless Nobleman

Pope Theophilus of Alexandria Portrayed as a Villain

A Secular Icon of Hypatia as a Martyr for Ancient Feminist Science, Fictitiously Portrayed as Having Been Killed by Rabid Christian Fundamentalists Who Set the World Back by Thousands of Years

Christianity and the Preservation of Knowledge 

St. Basil the Great, a brilliant Church Father, exemplifies the Christian commitment to scientific inquiry in the midst of spiritual attainment. He engaged deeply with contemporary Greek sciences, particularly in the fields of medicine and psychology. St. Basil established the first hospitals, embodying the Christian ethos of care and scientific application, following Christ’s command to serve “the least of these.” St. Clement of Alexandria's influence on Plotinus, the founder of Neoplatonism, through the intermediary of the Greek Master, Ammonius Saccas, further illustrates the interweaving of Christian and classical thought. These contributions highlight that Christianity was a custodian and cultivator of knowledge, not an adversary. Origen, a brilliant Early Christian thinker, whose ideas were so revolutionary and striking that later generations had difficulty comprehending them, is a prime example of this intellectual flexibility, creativity, fearlessness, and a true desire for individual intellectual contribution that many of the Early Church Fathers had in common. 

Misconceptions about the Church's Role in the Downfall of Early Science

The notion that Christians were responsible for the destruction of the Library of Alexandria or the martyrdom of Hypatia is historically inaccurate. These myths have been perpetuated by popular culture, as seen in the film "Agora," which misrepresents historical events to depict the Church as fundamentally opposed to intellectual freedom. Historical records, however, do not support these accusations. As St. Augustine argued, “The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.” The truth about the Church's role in history defends itself against these unfounded claims. 

How was the Library of Alexandria Destroyed? 

The destruction of the ancient Library of Alexandria, one of the most significant centers of learning in the ancient world, is actually a topic surrounded by historical controversy and uncertainty. There is no single, definitive account of how it was destroyed, and it is likely that the library suffered multiple incidents of destruction over several centuries. During the decree by Theophilus (AD 391), when the Roman emperor Theodosius I ordered the destruction of pagan temples, Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria led efforts to dismantle the Serapeum, a temple complex that was not a part of the Library of Alexandria. This was the event roughly highlighted in the Agora film. Modern secular and New Atheist scholars like to conclude that this act in AD 391 likely contributed to the loss of many texts associated with the library. This idea lack any contemporary or later documentation. 

The main events traditionally associated with the library's destruction include: 

Julius Caesar's Fire (48 BC): During Julius Caesar's siege of Alexandria in 48 BC, a fire broke out in the city. Some historical accounts, such as those by Plutarch and others, suggest that this fire may have spread to parts of the library, causing significant damage to its collections. 

The Attack by Aurelian (3rd Century AD): During the Roman emperor Aurelian's campaign to recapture the city from Queen Zenobia of Palmyra around 270-275 CE, Alexandria experienced considerable destruction. This could have led to further damage or loss of the library's contents. 

The Muslim Conquest (AD 642): According to some later accounts, when Alexandria was captured by Muslim forces under General Amr ibn al-Az, a large number of books were destroyed on the orders of Caliph Omar, including many early editions of the Qur'an, which was also standardized at this time. However, this story is considered apocryphal by many modern historians and lacks contemporary evidence, only reported over one hundred years later in Christian sources.

The Galileo Affair: A Misinterpreted Episode 

The use of Galileo's trial as an archetype of the Church's antagonism towards science is a profound misrepresentation. The conflict was not between science and faith but rather involved complex political and scientific dynamics of the time. Galileo's heliocentric theory challenged the prevailing Ptolemaic system, which was endorsed not only by the Church but by the secular scientific authorities of the day. The Church's resistance was based on the scientific consensus of the era, which was rooted in Aristotelian cosmology. It is essential to understand that the Medieval Church's stance on cosmology was influenced more by classical Greek thought than by Christian doctrine. The Church effectively preserved pre-Christian sciences!  

The intertwining of Church and State during Galileo's time meant that political power dynamics played a significant role in his persecution. This situation mirrors contemporary instances where individuals face ostracism for challenging dominant societal view, resisting politically correct narratives in academia, work and politics, and suffering the consequences by being "canceled" or otherwise "de-platformed." As Albert Einstein observed, “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” We live in an age of blindness, not enlightenment. The more religious views become socially unacceptable today, the more the culture quickly slides towards inane and illogical beliefs, perversion and insanity. Looking back, the conflict involving Galileo was less about a fundamental opposition to scientific inquiry and more about the complexities of changing scientific paradigms within a specific historical context where religious institutions held absolute power over what was taught and promulgated in writing.

Galileo's Famous "Dialogues" In Which He Propounds His Most Radical Theories, a "Forbidden Book" of Hundreds of Years

A Modern Depiction of Galileo as Divinely Inspired 

A Map of a Heliocentric Universe 

Nicholas Copernicus Studying at Night with a Bronze Armillary 

Contributions of Christian Scientists 

The contributions of Christian scientists throughout history further undermine the claim that Christianity inhibited scientific progress. Many renowned scientists who made significant advances in their fields were devout Christians who saw no conflict between their faith and their scientific work. 

1) Gregor Mendel 

Gregor Mendel, an Augustinian friar, is known as the father of modern genetics. His groundbreaking work on the inheritance of traits in pea plants laid the foundation for the field of genetics. Mendel's meticulous experiments and observations demonstrated the laws of inheritance, showing that scientific inquiry and religious life can coexist harmoniously. 

2) Nicolaus Copernicus 

Nicolaus Copernicus, a Renaissance-era polymath and devout Catholic Christian, formulated the heliocentric model of the universe, which placed the Sun, rather than the Earth, at the center of the solar system. His work revolutionized astronomy and challenged the geocentric model that had dominated for centuries. Copernicus saw his scientific work as a means of uncovering the divine order of the cosmos. 

3) Blaise Pascal 

Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist, and religious philosopher, made significant contributions to the fields of probability theory, fluid mechanics, and projective geometry. Pascal's deep Christian faith influenced his philosophical writings, and his famous work, "Pensées," reflects his integration of faith and reason. Were he not such a brilliant mathematician, he would be remembered as a founding philosopher in Western Pietism. 

4) Isaac Newton 

Sir Isaac Newton, one of the most influential scientists of all time, was a devout Christian who wrote extensively on biblical topics. Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation laid the groundwork for classical mechanics. He saw his scientific work as a way to understand God's creation better, famously likening himself to a child playing in the shallows of a vast and deep ocean of God’s churning creativity. 

5) Francis Collins 

In more recent times, Francis Collins, a geneticist and devout Christian, led the Human Genome Project, which successfully mapped the entire human genome. Collins has written extensively about the harmony between science and faith, emphasizing that scientific discoveries can enhance spiritual understanding. 

6) C.S. Lewis 

C.S. Lewis, though primarily known as a literary figure and Christian apologist, also contributed to the dialogue between science and religion by changing the dominant paradigm amongst Christians. His works, such as "Mere Christianity" and "The Problem of Pain," explore the rationality of faith and the moral implications of scientific advancements. Lewis argued that Christianity provides a robust ethical framework that can guide scientific endeavors. 

The Legacy of Christian Scientists in Modern Life 

The contributions of Christian scientists extend beyond theoretical advancements; they have profoundly impacted the quality of modern life. Advances in medicine, technology, and various scientific fields owe much to the work of these individuals. Their Christian faith provided them with a sense of purpose and ethical grounding, driving their commitment to the betterment of humanity, helping them to avoid the misapplications of science that we see now threatening us in the development of Artificial Intelligence and in the “Zero-Carbon” anti-humanism of false climate science. 

Contemporary Re-Evaluation of the Value of Christianity 

In a fascinating turn of events, several prominent "New Atheists" have begun to reassess their earlier wholesale critiques of Christianity, recognizing its cultural and moral significance despite their initial stance against its supernatural claims. Initially, figures like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris critiqued Christianity as illogical and inherently immoral, emphasizing its incompatibility with scientific rationalism and modern ethics. Dawkins once described religion as "a virus of the mind," while Harris argued that "religion is one of the most perverse misuses of intelligence we have ever devised." However, in recent years, a nuanced shift has emerged, with some of these thinkers acknowledging the historical and cultural contributions of Christianity to Western civilization. This includes its role in fostering social cohesion, ethical frameworks, and moral values that have underpinned societal development. Harris has even noted, "There are reasons to think that these religious cultures have done a lot of good in certain respects." Dawkins now, controversially, describes himself as a “Cultural Christian.” The reconsideration does not signify a conversion to religious belief but rather an appreciation for the stabilizing and positive societal functions that Christian values have historically provided. This evolving perspective illustrates a complex dialogue where atheism and cultural heritage intersect, prompting a re-evaluation of the role of religion in a secular age. 

An Illustration of the Hugely Disproportionate Number of Christians Represented in the Scientific Process of Discovery and Innovation 

Summary 

The assertion that Christianity inhibited scientific progress is an inaccurate and intentionally malicious myth that fails to account for the Church's significant contributions to the preservation and advancement of knowledge, both ancient and modern. Early Christians safeguarded and built upon the intellectual heritage of antiquity, preserving the ancient technology and texts within the Christian Tradition, with figures like St. Basil the Great exemplifying the integration of Faith and Reason to a remarkable extent. Misunderstandings about events like the destruction of the Library of Alexandria and the Galileo affair stem from a projection of contemporary biases onto historical contexts that now must be truthfully and tactfully debunked by Christian apologists. The contributions of numerous Christian scientists throughout history further dispels the notion that Christianity has been antagonistic to scientific progress or that there is a basic antagonism between Faith and Science. As history is re-evaluated with a nuanced understanding, it becomes clear that Christianity was not a hindrance but a vital contributor to the progress of humanity throughout time, helping us to be more compassionate, more cautious, and ultimately more humane - all things that our contemporary sciences desperately need to rediscover! As we reflect on these truths, we can appreciate the profound interconnectedness of Faith and Reason throughout history and the centrality of our Western Orthodox Faith to this process!