The Thomistic Institute Are Science and Faith Compatible? I Prof. Karin Öberg
Jul 21, 2025
Karin Öberg, a Harvard astronomy professor specializing in astrochemistry, discusses the intriguing harmony between science and faith. She explores historical conflicts, referencing Galileo and Aquinas, while addressing common misconceptions about their compatibility. Öberg maintains that both realms pursue the same truth, emphasizing how scientific understanding enriches theological insights, particularly in relation to creation and the Big Bang. She also highlights how engaging with nature can deepen our connection to the divine.
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Categories of Science-Faith Conflict
- Science and faith may appear conflicting mostly due to misconceptions about either domain.
- Four main categories of conflict are intrinsic, doctrinal, psychological, and historical.
Limits of Science on God
- Science's method is limited to understanding the material world through testable hypotheses.
- God, as the being itself, is outside material reality and thus beyond science's measurement.
Miracles and Natural Laws
- Miracles do not contradict natural laws if God is the lawgiver who can act providentially.
- Miracles serve as signs of God's providence, not random disruptions that hinder science.
