John William Draper's "History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science" is a controversial work that alleges a persistent conflict between religion and science, particularly targeting the Catholic Church. Draper's biased historiography misrepresents events and selectively uses quotes to support his claims. The book's success stemmed from the anti-Catholic sentiment prevalent in 19th-century America. Despite its inaccuracies, it remains influential, highlighting the persistence of misconceptions about the relationship between faith and science. The book's impact underscores the need for careful historical analysis and open dialogue.
Andrew Dixon White's "The History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom" expands upon and reinforces many of the inaccurate claims presented in John William Draper's work. White's book perpetuates the myth of a persistent conflict between science and religion, particularly focusing on the Catholic Church's supposed opposition to scientific progress. The work is characterized by historical inaccuracies and biased interpretations. Its influence, despite its flaws, demonstrates the enduring power of misconceptions about the relationship between faith and reason. The book's legacy highlights the importance of rigorous historical research and critical analysis.
Professor Christopher Baglow critiques the conflict model of science and religion, tracing its origins to the late 19th century and arguing that the Catholic intellectual tradition offers a more harmonious approach by keeping faith and reason together and honoring the integrity of nature.
This lecture was given on September 26th, 2024, at Brown University.
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About the Speaker:
Dr. Baglow is Professor of the Practice of Theology and the Director of the Science and Religion Initiative of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. His work is the culmination of 19 years of faith and science scholarship and educational program creation, as well as a lengthy career in Catholic theological education spanning high-school, undergraduate, graduate and seminary teaching. For this work, he was co-recipient of an Expanded Reason Award in Teaching from the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (Madrid) and the Vatican Joseph Ratzinger Foundation (Rome).
Baglow is the author of Faith, Science and Reason: Theology on the Cutting Edge (2nd edition, Midwest Theological Forum, 2019) and Creation: A Catholic’s Guide to God and the Universe (Ave Maria Press, 2021). He serves as theological advisor to the Board of Directors of the Society of Catholic Scientists and as a contributor to the JTF-funded science and religion programming of the Word on Fire Institute. Most recently, he authored the transcripts for Wonder: The Harmony of Faith and Science, a Word on Fire film series directed by Manny Marquez and narrated by Jonathan Roumie. His work has appeared in That Man is You, Crux, Church Life Journal, Culture and Evangelization, and Joie de Vivre Quarterly Journal.
Keywords: Andrew Dixon White, Catholicism, Conflict Thesis, Draper, Faith, History, John William Draper, Reason, Religion, Science
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