Epistemology of Enlightenment Science

Epistemology of Enlightenment Science

Enlightenment or modern science rests

On faith-commitments

Which cannot themselves pass the tests,

The very methods of science being insufficient.

Two beliefs are foundational

On the development of science, the infringement?

That the universe is rational,

That the universe is contingent.

Rationality itself cannot be proven

By the methods endeared by science.

But it must be an assumed conclusion

That a faith-commitment is starting point compliant.

If contingency were not creation’s groan

But an emanation from an absolute spirit,

Then all would be totally known

Thus to science, not sincere it.

Pure contemplation, if thus so,

And not of scientific explanation,

Ultimate reality directly accessed, though,

No need then for laborious, scientific experimentation.

But if the Spirit of creation

Were a personal God, an alliance

Gifting a degree of autonomy through incarnation,

Then contingency is foundational to science.

Therefore, let it be known in our memories

That Enlightenment science motifs,

In a culture of centuries

Were born and shaped by these two beliefs.

A versed interpretation and re-presentation by Worth Earlwood Norman, Jr. of

Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI 1989, page 20.