Science and Church

  1. Lemma
  2. Επιστήμη και Eκκλησία
  3. Delli, Eudoxie
  4. Modes of interaction - Key thinkers - Concepts of knowledge and modes of reasoning
  5. 20-1-2017
  6. Hatzinikolaou, (Metropolitan of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki) Nikolaos [Author]. Science and Church
  7. Επιστήμη και Εκκλησία
  8. genetics - nanotechnology - limits of science - limits of human knowledge - Велчев, Валентин [Author]. Faith and Science
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    1. <p>Ηatzinikolaou, (Metropolitan) N. [Χατζηνικολάου (Μητροπολίτης) Ν.] (2014, Νοvember 16). Επιστήμη και Εκκλησία [Video file]. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5y8k3HHH5A">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5y8k3HHH5A</a></p>

    1. In this short video, the Metropolitan Nikolaos Hatzinikolaou makes a clear distinction between being informed about scientific issues and doing scientific research. The later means dealing with the unknown and the gradual acquisition of knowledge leading to understanding.

      He mentions his personal interest in modern physics, genetics and nanotechnologies. Answering the question on the relation between Orthodoxy and sciences, he states that modern societies overestimate scientific knowledge. Cultivating the illusion that almost everything is known, science is conceived as a substitute of God. Rejecting this attitude, he underlines that modern science knows few and even understands less of the secrets of natural world. Only the 4% of the universe is visible and known, while the 96% remains inaccessible to scientific knowledge. Human knowledge is important but limited.

      The inaccessible dimension and meaning of the reality is the proper of the Church and Theology according to the speaker. Orthodoxy is not a human construction but the living experience of the communion with the divine nature of God who is Person and can be “participated’’ by Man.

      Scientific knowledge can help man to understand himself but can not decipher God. Nevertheless, while science is combined with faith, the scientific material can be illuminated and deepened in a way that provides both. At this point the interviewee recalls Saint Basil’s Hexaemeron, the Making of Man of Gregory of Nyssa and the texts of Anastasios of Sinai and John of Damaskos dealing with subjects related to the creation of the world. He also points out that a modern hexaemeron could be written taking into account the data of modern sciences.

      Science is given to Man in order to glorify God’s manifestations in the visible world. In this perspective, science inquiry can be a precious tool for the knowledge of world and life. Otherwise, confined to its limits, it risks to be transformed in a trap or a cage for humankind.