How better to solve the questions and problems we face than to combine scientific inquiry with the ability to petition the creator of the universe? Christians who pursue the sciences are in the unique position to do just this. Science can be one more tool we use to serve God and to serve our world for His glory.

The Sunday before I started my Ph.D. program, I went up for prayer after church. I was nervous about this big step and wanted the comfort of having someone stand with me in prayer and bring my first-day jitters before the Lord.

When I told the guy on the prayer team my request, he asked what I was studying. Without hesitation, I told him: “Psychology. Cognitive Science.” He nodded and began to pray. He prayed a very different prayer than I thought I had asked for: His prayer was for my pursuit of psychology and science to not drag me away from my faith, for me to not be brainwashed by false doctrines and theories. We said, “Amen,” and I thanked him and walked away.

He meant well, and I appreciated his concern and prayer for protection, but I was disheartened. It was not the first time (or the last time) that a mature, well-meaning believer has reacted to my career choice with hesitation or outright concern. I’ll admit, my experience in academia is that it is not a warm, fuzzy place for Christians. Academia appears to be a place where faith is not welcome. But it certainly does not have to be a place where faith dies. In fact, I’m calling on Christians to pursue the sciences.

Here are some of the reasons:

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