A Geographer to the Glory of God
Dr. Buckland-Reynolds highlights
how her study of science has
strengthened and shaped her faith.
Ed. Note: We are pleased to have Dr Buckland-Reynolds as a contributing author to Creation-Evolution Headlines. In this entry, she tells some of her story in third person: how a Jamaican woman entered science as a Bible-believing Christian, and the significance of her specialty (Geography) to the debates about origins.
A Geographer to the Glory of God
by Dr. Sarah Buckland-Reynolds
“How can you be a scientist and be a Christian?”
Those words reverberated as a sore refrain with even greater impact as they came from a friend who was a colleague while Sarah finalized her postgraduate studies at a secular university. This sentiment was all too familiar to her in an era where secular science often creates a hostile environment for Christians; an age where secularists paint a picture that Christianity somehow reduces one’s credibility as a scientist – all the while ignoring the fact that two-thirds of Nobel Prize laureates have been Christians.
Despite prevailing anti-Christian views in academia, Dr. Sarah Buckland-Reynolds, a Jamaican who holds a Doctorate in Geography with high commendation, strongly believes the real question at hand is not whether Christianity is compatible with science, but instead: How can anyone study science and not be overwhelmed with the reality of God’s existence?
Sarah’s love for Geography was grown from a deep fascination with nature, where, from childhood, she has felt her deepest connection with God. Her thirst for knowledge on wide ranging issues coupled with her curiosity about processes in the natural environment led to her love for the vastly interdisciplinary world of Geography. Her desire for outreach and environmental stewardship further captured her love for the specialized field of disaster management, particularly relating to droughts and other climate extremes to which her native island of Jamaica is broadly susceptible.
Geography: A Map to the Wisdom of God
The field of Geography, with its interdisciplinary complexity spanning human interrelations with each other and physical environmental processes, presents a clear map that leads directly to glimpses of the wisdom of God – both in His laws for humanity and in the marvels of the created order. It is notable that God Himself has often pointed to these ‘earth writings’ (nature) as one of the clearest revelations of His existence (Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1).
Dr. Buckland-Reynolds’ love for nature drew her closer to God and simultaneously led her to her career pursuits. Learning about the Earth’s precise tilt—balanced to within half a degree to create the seasons and maintain temperatures so no region becomes too hot or too cold—evoked deep awe and respect for the Creator’s forethought. She marveled at the fine-tuned balances in the positioning of the earth to the sun and even the moon-earth distance that regulates the heat balance. With a closer moon, the tides would cause great flooding to low-lying regions, while a more distant moon would severely reduce tidal action, causing devastating impacts on temperature balance. Learning about the precise chemical composition of the atmosphere required to sustain life, along with the intricate symbiosis in the natural world, revealed that the simultaneous convergence of all these factors to create perfect conditions for life is far too improbable to attribute to chance. It points unmistakably to the work of an Intelligent Mind.
Building upon previous discoveries before her, Dr. Buckland-Reynolds declares she has seen God’s wisdom in her research into social interactions and even the impact of family structures that God established. In some of Dr. Buckland-Reynolds’ own primary research, she has found evidence of the significant benefits on adolescent behavior and academic performance of having both married parents in a household (just the way God intended). These findings have since been published in regional peer-reviewed journals. The benefits of this divine order of the family unit are universal – regardless of economic background or location – adding another glimpse of the sovereign wisdom of God.
The Holy Bible: A Compass of Geographical Credibility
Inspiration for Dr. Buckland-Reynolds’ career is not only rooted in natural observation. In a discipline where the Bible is often openly ridiculed, the influence of the Bible in Dr. Buckland-Reynolds’ life remains a relevant guide and standard for her career pursuits. The contributions of past scientists in oceanography and archaeology continue to inspire her pursuit of a holistic approach in her research and to base her career on the firm foundation of Biblical truth.
Scientists such as Matthew Fontaine Maury, who used Scripture as a basis for his scientific hypothesis which led to his discovery of ocean currents, inspire how Sarah reads Scripture as a tool to brainstorm potential future pathways of research. Maury, now called the father of modern oceanography, used Psalm 8 (referring to the ‘paths of the seas’) as a basis for his scientific hypothesis which led to his discovery of ocean currents and writing the first textbook in modern oceanography. The impact of Maury’s discoveries, guided by Biblical teaching, transcends oceanography and meteorology, and has revolutionized numerous fields including air and maritime navigation, drastically reducing travel times for ships, and influencing global trade economics due to the discovery of safer ship routes, reducing costs. Maury’s work has also been applied in naval strategy for effective movements during wars, marine conservation in understanding ecosystems, and even in the communications industry (paving the way for the successful laying of transatlantic telegraph cables).
When dialoguing with skeptics, Dr. Buckland-Reynolds also loves to mention the journey of Sir William Ramsay: a well accomplished academic and archaeologist, who was a skeptic. Ramsay had the zeal of using his knowledge in archaeology to disprove the Bible, and he believed examining what the Bible had to say about Geographical routes was an easy way to start his test. He decided to travel to Asia Minor (now Turkey) to prove that the Bible was inaccurate Geographically and Historically, by using Paul’s alleged missionary journey as the sample for testing. However, to Ramsay’s surprise, dig after dig showed the Biblical account to be accurate. Ramsay became so overwhelmed with the evidence he eventually converted to Christianity.
Ramsay finally had this to say:
‘I began with a mind unfavorable to it…but more recently I found myself brought into contact with the Book of Acts as an authority for the topography, antiquities, and society of Asia Minor. It was gradually borne upon me’ that in various details the narrative showed marvelous truth.’ (St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen, 1982, p. 8)
Ramsay went on to say:
“Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy…this author should be placed along with the very greatest historians” (The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament, 1915, p. 222).
Such sharp accuracy that the Bible contains; facts so amazing that they have caused 180 degree turns from skepticism to Christianity among some of the brightest minds in history – is difficult for modern skeptics with an open mind to ignore.
In addition to its accuracy, Dr. Buckland-Reynolds remains inspired by the Bible’s mention of several geographical facts long before they could have been observed or discovered by humans.
Quoting one of her interviews on the Current Topics in Science podcast by Christ Jesus Ministries, Dr. Buckland-Reynolds recalled:
…one of my favorites is in Job 30 around verse 16 where God says that there are springs on the ocean floor: “Have you entered the springs of the sea have you walked in search of the depths”, and the book of Job was dated to have been written around 1400 BC: 1400 years plus or minus around before Christ was born; a time when no human being could ever imagine oceanic exploration that we have today… but even before as recently as 1930 little was known about the ocean floor…it was not until actually in 1973, that over 3000 years after it was already written in the Bible that direct observations of springs under the sea were made.
A call to persevere and minister
Watch this Short/Reel about Sarah on our YouTube Channel.
While the Christians in science debate ensues in the background, Dr. Buckland-Reynolds continues to aim to glorify God in both her career and ministry. Using Daniel’s Biblical example of excellence as inspiration, Sarah continues to use her studies in Geography to glorify God through her publications to guide drought relief programmes and help farmers, She has been honored with the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence in Academics, the L’Oréal/UNESCO Women in Science Award, and the Editor’s Award for an international journal, highlighting her distinguished academic achievements. She hopes her work will inspire more Christians to shake off discouragement and be an influence in their fields.
In her personal ministry, she aims to integrate her scientific background with her faith in the Caribbean region, pointing people to God through her charity named “Chosen to GLOW Ministries,which hosts a Bible evidences club at her former university and free mentorship programs. She continues with this endeavor hosting the A.P.O.L.O.G.I.A. Strategy 5.0 virtual mentorship, freely available in summer 2025 to global participants who are interested in the complementarity between science and the Christian faith and are desiring to be equipped to communicate truths respectfully to those with doubts.
While voices mocking Christians in science are guaranteed to continue until Christ returns, Dr. Buckland-Reynolds hopes her scientific journey will inspire others to consider the relevance of faith as a foundation to scientific discovery and that more persons will contemplate why science needs Christians – as science needs truth.
In light of the firm foundation and purpose the Bible gives us, she encourages all Christians with a passion for advancing science to persevere with determination and confidence. As Psalm 111:2 states: “The works of the Lord are great, studied by those who find pleasure in them.”
Dr. Sarah Buckland-Reynolds is a Christian, Jamaican, Environmental Science researcher, and journal associate editor. She holds the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geography from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona with high commendation, and a postgraduate specialization in Geomatics at the Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia. The quality of her research activity in Environmental Science has been recognized by various awards including the 2024 Editor’s Award from the American Meteorological Society for her reviewing service in the Weather, Climate and Society Journal, the 2023 L’Oreal/UNESCO Women in Science Caribbean Award, the 2023 ICETEX International Experts Exchange Award for study in Colombia. and with her PhD research in drought management also being shortlisted in the top 10 globally for the 2023 Allianz Climate Risk Award by Munich Re Insurance, Germany. Motivated by her faith in God and zeal to positively influence society, Dr. Buckland-Reynolds is also the founder and Principal Director of Chosen to G.L.O.W. Ministries, a Jamaican charitable organization which seeks to amplify the Christian voice in the public sphere and equip more youths to know how to defend their faith.