Faith Integration: A Study of Chemistry and Faith Intertwined

An atom is a submicroscopic particle, is considered the building block of all matter, and is the smallest unit in an element. One characteristic of atoms not many people know about is that atoms are never destroyed; instead, they are continually recycled. The atomic theory worldview states that anything living matter does can be explained by the characteristics of atoms. All living things are made of atoms, which means that everything they do can be explained through physics and the properties of atoms. Many people find this worldview disappointing and leaving much to be desired in the purpose of human lives. For others, the idea isn't disturbing, just scientifically interesting. This worldview can significantly impact the way a person thinks about the world and themselves.

I can partially agree with some aspects of this worldview. It is only speaking of our physical bodies, and as Christians we know that it is not our physical bodies but our minds and souls that truly matter. Therefore, this worldview doesn't negate the purpose of our lives, as that comes from our spiritual and emotional selves rather than our physical selves. Instead it actually enhances our purpose, as the identical characteristics of our atoms provide a common bond between humans because we can identify with and relate to others. This worldview also helps us to see the amazingly intricate structure God used when creating the universe, down to the smallest details of atoms.

However, in some ways I do not agree with this worldview. Some people, including most scientists, believe that chemicals and hormones control everything in our bodies, including how we think and what we feel. It has been proven that chemicals and hormones do play some part in this; for example, adrenaline and endorphins are both linked to what moods a person feels. However, chemicals and hormones do not completely control our moods and thoughts. If they did, then we would just be empty husks when we died; when our neurons stopped firing, our ability to believe in God would also shut down. As we know from the Bible, people are still very much alive after death, albeit in a different way than before. There would be no soul if our thought processes and the things that make us unique just came from atoms; we would be the same as plants and other animals. Also, if only chemicals determined our characteristics, identical twins would be exactly the same, as they have the same DNA. However, even if identical twins have grown up in the same situation, they often have different characters. This would not be possible if we are completely made up of atoms in body, mind, and soul.

While our physical bodies can be explained through the physical aspects of atoms, we will never be able to fully scientifically explain the mind or the soul. The atomic theory worldview works well when applied to the physical aspects of living things, and in some cases it can also be applied to the way the mind works. However, it should not stop us from having a purpose in life. It also should not make us worry about what will happen after our death. Instead, we should use it to help us enjoy and understand God's creation even more. The Bible states that those who accept Christ as their Savior will be in heaven for eternity. While we can't be certain that our atoms will come with us, we can be at peace in the knowledge of that biblical truth.