Running head: COMPARISON OF CHRISTIANITY AND SCIENTISM 1
Comparison of Christianity and Scientism
Name
Institution
COMPARISON OF CHRISTIANITY AND SCIENTISM 2
Comparison of Christianity and Scientism
A worldview refers to the perceptions that an individual has about different issues
shaped by the beliefs and his source of knowledge. An individual's world views influence how
they understand and approach various issues (Naugle,n.d.). In contemporary society, there are
different world views, among them, Christianity and scientism. Scientism is the belief that
science is the only objective way of understanding and explaining various phenomena.
Therefore, individuals who subscribe to this worldview rely on scientific knowledge in
explaining issues affecting human society (Moreland, 2018). The Christian worldview believes
that things can only be explained through the teachings of Jesus Christ. Therefore, those who
ascribe to Christian in word view rely on biblical interpretations and understanding to explain,
understand, and deal with emerging issues (Dockery, n.d.). While these world views play an
important role in explaining different phenomena, they significantly compare their explanations.
Questions of Origin
The origin of humankind is one of the controversial discussions in the history of man.
While both scientism and Christianity reveal their belief that there must be humankind's origin,
they differ on the source. Scientism argues that humans came into existence through an
evolutionary process. Scientism contends that the first creatures that eventually evolved into
current humans were four-legged ape-like beings (Harrub &Thompson, 2003). As a result of the
environmental changes, these beings continually went through an evolution, acquiring more
sophisticated features that enhanced their survival. The continuous evolution of these ape-Like
beings eventually led to the rise of the current human who is upright and has higher brain
performance (Harrub &Thompson, 2003). Unlike scientism, the Christian world gives a different
account of the origin of man. Christian worldview believes that humans are just among other
COMPARISON OF CHRISTIANITY AND SCIENTISM 3
things, both living and nonliving, who were created by a supernatural being called God (Antwi,
2018). According to the Christian worldview, God made the first man out of the mud and placed
him in Eden's beautiful and productive garden. Concerned with the kind of loneliness he saw on
the man, God opted to make a woman a companion for the man using one of the man's ribs.
Christian word view further explains that human being out of all other creations made by the
supreme deity is unique (Antwi, 2018).
Questions of Destiny
While both scientism and Christianity agree that death is real, they also disagree on
what happens after death. Scientism believes that death is the end for every human, and once an
individual is dead, their existence completely ceases, and they decay to form humus. Scientism,
therefore, believes that as one life, they should live a life of optimum enjoyment because people
only live once (Habermas & Moreland, 2004). On the contrary, the Christian worldview holds an
optimistic opinion about what happens after one has died. To Christianity, death is not the end of
humans. Christian world view believes that life continues even after physical death. Christian
believe that upon death, human spirits await the judgments on the final day when Jesus Christ
will come back to judge the evil ones and the righteous (Habermas & Moreland, 2004).
Christian worldview believes that those who died in righteousness will resurrect from the dead
through the supreme creator's power and ascend to heaven where they shall live in eternity
worshiping and praying. Therefore, Christianity teaches that people should live a highly moral
life to die righteous (Habermas & Moreland, 2004).
Questions of Identity
Scientism thinks of humans as part of the living things that exist in the universe. Humans are
identified as a category of animals in the animal kingdom. This means that scientism does not
COMPARISON OF CHRISTIANITY AND SCIENTISM 4
think that humans are unique from other animals in the universe (Groothuis, 2000). Christian
worldview, on the other hand, thinks differently about humans. It believes that humans, among
other things, both living and nonliving are the most special. Christianity believes that although
God created everything, humans were created in the image of God. Therefore, humans are much
closer to the creator than all other things, both living and nonliving. Christianity believes that
humans were placed as the custodian of all other living and nonliving things (Groothuis, 2000).
Questions of Meaning and Purpose
Scientism believes that there is no special purpose for human existence. Scientism
believes that every individual has to find their purpose on their own during the process of living.
You have to find what to do out of your interests and abilities to make your life better and
improve your society (Dupre, 2001). On the contrary, the Christian worldview holds that humans
were created with a particular purpose. Christian worldview believe that humans were created
with the sole propose of glorifying God, and everyone should live this purpose (Dupre, 2001).
Questions of Morality
Scientism believes that there is no universal right and wrong. What is right or depends
on the circumstances and choices that an individual has to make. For instance, abortion is not
wrong if the mother feels she cannot take good care of the child (Feser, 2010). On the contrary,
the Christian worldview believes that what is wrong or right depends on God's teachings. Things
that are identified to be morally wrong in the bible remain so no matter the circumstance.
Christianity believes that knowledge of what is wrong or right can only be attained through
God's teachings (Smith & Quimba, n.d.).
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References
Antwi, E. (2018). Human creation in the image of God: The Asante perspective. New York:
Peter Lang
Dockery, S. (n.d). Shaping a Christian Worldview: An Introduction (Part I). Retrieved from
https://www.uu.edu/centers/faculty/teaching/article.cfm?ID=364
Dupre, J. (2001). Human nature and the limits of science. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Feser, E. (2010). Blinded by Scientism. Retrieved from
https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2010/03/1174/
Groothuis, D. R. (2000). Truth Decay: Defending Christianity against the challenges of
postmodernism. Illinois: Intervarsity Press
Habermas, G. R., & Moreland, J. P. (2004). Beyond Death: Exploring the Evidence for
Immortality. Oregon Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Harrub, B., & Thompson, B. (2003). The truth about human origins. Montgomery, Ala:
Apologetics Press.
Moreland, J. (2018). What Is Scientism? Retrieved from
https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-is-scientism/
Naugle, D. (n.d). Worldview: Definitions, History, and Importance of a Concept". Retrieved
from https://www3.dbu.edu/naugle/pdf/Worldview_defhistconceptlect.pdf
Smith, L. & Quimba, M. (N.d.). Faith and Spiritual Decision-Making in Healthcare Professions.
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