Calvin made two major contributions to the appreciation and development of the natural sciences. Firstly, he positively encouraged the scientific study of nature and secondly, he eliminated a major obstacle to the development of that study.
Considering the first contribution is specifically linked with his stress upon the orderliness of creation; both the physical world and the human body testify to the wisdom and character of God. Calvin thus commends the study of both astronomy and medicine. Due to this many were able to probe more deeply than theology into the natural world and thus uncover further evidence of the orderliness of the creation and the wisdom of its creator. The detailed study of the creation leads to an increased awareness of the wisdom of its creator.
And the second major contribution is that Calvin is widely regarded as having eliminated a significant obstacle to the development of the natural sciences: biblical literalism, which remains influential within fundamentalist circles today. Calvin insisted that not all biblical statements concerning God or the world were to be taken literally, for they were accommodated to the abilities of their audiences. Scripture, in apparently speaking of the sun rotating around the earth, was simply accommodating itself to the worldview of its audience, not making scientific statements about the universe. Calvin's discussion of the relationship between scientific findings and the statements of the Bible is generally regarded as one of his most valuable contributions to Christian thought.
Considering the first contribution is specifically linked with his stress upon the orderliness of creation; both the physical world and the human body testify to the wisdom and character of God. Calvin thus commends the study of both astronomy and medicine. Due to this many were able to probe more deeply than theology into the natural world and thus uncover further evidence of the orderliness of the creation and the wisdom of its creator. The detailed study of the creation leads to an increased awareness of the wisdom of its creator.
And the second major contribution is that Calvin is widely regarded as having eliminated a significant obstacle to the development of the natural sciences: biblical literalism, which remains influential within fundamentalist circles today. Calvin insisted that not all biblical statements concerning God or the world were to be taken literally, for they were accommodated to the abilities of their audiences. Scripture, in apparently speaking of the sun rotating around the earth, was simply accommodating itself to the worldview of its audience, not making scientific statements about the universe. Calvin's discussion of the relationship between scientific findings and the statements of the Bible is generally regarded as one of his most valuable contributions to Christian thought.
