Beyond Faith: Reaching Out Towards the Truth of the Universe
- Jim Gleeson
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
Photo by jcomp
Some people think that faith and science are enemies, but this isn't necessarily true. Jim Gleeson's Science, God and You: The Ancient Theory of Everything is such a book that explores science and religion. Beyond faith and science, there is only God; there is only truth.
Science is a tool that helps us understand how the universe works. When we do science, we observe the natural world and attempt to figure out its rules. From science, we have discovered and made great use of things like gravity, electricity, and how plants grow.
On the other hand, faith is more of a framework that helps us understand why we are here and why we should do things that we should do. It deals with questions about our purpose and the meaning of life.
The ideas in Jim Gleeson's book suggest that instead of being two separate things, science and faith can actually work together. He believes that genuine science, when done well, is like a "divine science" that helps us study and appreciate God's creation. They are like two different languages that describe the same ultimate reality.
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How Science Strengthens Faith
While it is a popular notion that science cannot commingle with faith, that's not actually the case. When you delve deeper into it, science is actually a path to a more profound and grounded belief in God.
Let's just be clear: science does not disprove God. It doesn't even say anything about whether or not God exists. Science only deals with the natural and physical world. Thus, it cannot say anything about the soul, about the spirit, heaven, the metaphysical, and whatever else.
Going back. Now, the more we learn about the universe, the more we see its incredible order and precision. For example, the Big Bang theory tells us the universe began with a single moment of creation. This is different from the old idea that the universe was always there, and it makes many people believe that there must be a creator who started it all.
Another amazing discovery is the fine-tuning of the universe. Scientists have found that the laws of physics are so perfectly balanced that if they were even slightly different, stars, planets, and life as we know it would never have formed. This leads many thinkers to consider the idea of a cosmic designer or a first cause. Each new scientific breakthrough often reveals an even more complex and beautiful layer to the universe, suggesting an intelligence far beyond our own. Instead of making the world less mysterious, science often makes it more so.
Beyond Faith and a Deeper Way of Learning
For many people, faith is a profound and unshakeable belief that provides comfort, meaning, and a moral compass. It's a source of great strength and has inspired countless acts of kindness. Gleeson's work suggests that this strong faith can be made even richer by a new kind of understanding—one that sees science not as a threat, but as a "divine science" that studies God's creation and its connection to us.
This idea fits with the biblical definition of faith, which is not about unquestioning belief.
The book of Hebrews describes faith as "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Faith is the deep trust we have that provides certainty, even when we can't prove things with our five senses.
This kind of faith can be a robust foundation for a life of meaning and purpose.
The Shared Wonder of Science and Faith
Gleeson argues that the conflict between science and religion is simply an illusion. They are just two sides of the same coin.
Science is a way to explore the natural world, while religion addresses things we can't see or measure. Both can make us feel a shared sense of wonder and awe.
This feeling is very similar to the spiritual wonder we get when we think about the mysteries of the soul. Both science and faith can inspire us and fill us with a feeling of being a small part of something much bigger and more beautiful than ourselves. The Bible captures this well when it says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
Understanding Time and Truth
Gleeson takes the idea of God being beyond time even further.
He argues that "time as we know it, doesn't really exist!"
He believes that our problems and the evils in the world are tied to the illusion of time. We anchor ourselves to the temporary and, as such, we ordain our lives according to what is finite.
In his view, time is a relative concept, a theory supported by quantum physics. From this perspective, our temporary, physical selves are just a part of the illusion, and the "real eternal you" lies beneath.
Gleeson doesn't ask for blind belief. He does not want you to accept whatever he says. Instead, he insists that these truths must be "provable to you through direct experience."
This idea of God's timelessness is a central theme in many religions.
The Bible expresses it perfectly in Psalm 90:2: "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." This perspective can change how we see our lives, our problems, and our place in the universe.
Photo by kjpargeter
A Unified Path to Universal Truth
Moving past simplistic faith means using both spiritual wisdom and scientific facts to understand the world. It means being open to new ideas and not being stuck in one way of thinking.
If you are stuck with one perspective, it is difficult to see broadly and really appreciate the breadth of the universe.
To move beyond faith is about seeing the world not just as a machine, but as a universe where everything is connected and conscious. As the Bible says, "In him we live and move and have our being."
If these ideas resonate with you, Jim Gleeson's insightful exploration of faith and science in Science, God and You: The Ancient Theory of Everything is for you.
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