The Christian Difference in Academia

The proportion of Christians in academia is
distinctly lower than the rest of society but has
the potential to make significant scientific advances

by Dr. Sarah Buckland-Reynolds

For decades, the proportion of Christians among scientists has been significantly lower than in the general population. For instance, the Pew Research Centre found that the proportion of members from the American Association for the Advancement of Science who admitted “belief in God” was only 33%. That is 50% lower than the general public. The decline of Christianity remains a defining feature of postmodern scientific practice – ironically diverging from the faith-based foundations laid by the pioneers of modern science. 

It is often argued that science should be ‘value-free’, as a sign of ‘objectivity’. But in a field where a search for ‘truth’ is paramount, has academia rejected the foundational assumptions necessary for the delivery of good science? 

What difference does Christianity make? 

While atheists, Christians and persons with all beliefs in between may perform robust science, there are a few reasons that make the Christian worldview the most coherent foundation to perform science. 

1. A basic belief is that science requires order and objective truth. 

Experimental science operates under the assumption that objective laws and truth exist. This allows scientists to test the validity of observations beyond mere perceptions. What if the outcomes of experiments were haphazard? External validation would be impossible, and replicability would be fictional. Science would be no better than a gamble, without clear guidance. It certainly would not have led to all the breakthroughs that we see today.

Christianity offers a philosophically consistent framework for operational science. In an atheistic worldview, there is no reason to expect anything other than randomness and chance characterizing the processes around our world. However, order is indispensable for science to operate. Atheists and other skeptics end up having to borrow the assumption of order from the Christian worldview (whether admitted or not), since their worldview has no coherent basis for experimentation. 

2. Christian scientists operate under fewer assumptions than secularists, leading to a higher likelihood of discoveries in science. 

Christians can interpret processes that operate from natural law just as secular scientists. However, Christian scientists also understand that observation of processes in the physical world does not preclude the existence of the supernatural. In fact, we expect to see order because of the intellectual power of the Creator God, and we expect to see purpose and functionality in all the created world. 

The a priori exclusion of the supernatural among secular scientists has been openly admitted in several forums. One famous quote by geneticist Richard Lewontin quite eloquently summarizes the position many secular scientists take despite evidence of a created world: that no matter the evidence, science “cannot allow a divine foot in the door”. This is the antithesis of the mantra of ‘following the evidence wherever it leads’. 

In contrast, the scientific literature on the human appendix presents a practical example of the difference that the expectation of intelligent design and purposefulness has on directing scientific discovery. While the secular world touted up to 180 vestigial organs, many Christian creationists predicted that functionality will be found for organs thought to be mere leftovers from evolutionary ancestry, e.g., the appendix. These predictions of functionality continue to be validated by new evidence, only subsequently admitted by evolutionists.  

3. A third difference is intellectual honesty in academia. 

While being Christian is not a prerequisite to recognizing the importance of ethical operations in science, intellectual honesty is certainly intrinsic to the Christian worldview. Conversely, the philosophical basis of atheism and secularism do not provide a coherent basis for the consistent upholding of intellectual honesty in scientific endeavors without (again) borrowing from Christian principles. 

Encouragement to Upcoming Christian Youths in Academia 

Thriving in secular academia as a Christian can be a challenging yet vastly rewarding experience. For upcoming youths who might be considering careers in research and academia, Dr. Buckland-Reynolds gives the following advice: 

1. Be an example of excellence 

Having an excellent work ethic can be a strong witness that confounds assumptions made about Christians not being ‘good’ scientists. A good work ethic along with a respectful and thorough approach can bring you into rooms where you otherwise would not be able to witness. Witnessing does not have to mean announcing your Christianity verbally, but when people admire your scientific achievements and become curious to ask about your motivations, it brings an opportunity to glorify Christ. Just as Daniel and his three friends in the Bible stood out to the king because they were more excellent than the rest, keep working on your craft and don’t let the naysayers influence you to give up. 

2. Sharpen your discerning skills to distinguish between interpretation and evidence 

A key reason secularism has advanced is its strategic use of communication—promoting narratives through compelling storytelling and selective interpretations. Often secular scientists neglect alternative explanations, leading the public to perceive the secularist worldview as more reasonable. Unfortunately for many students, discerning evidence from interpretation is not a skill that is well known. For instance, In Dr. Buckland-Reynolds’ tutoring, she has often heard her students state that the Physical Science aspect Geography, was “fact” (including evolutionary geomorphology – the supposed gradual and uniform processes taught to explain how landforms originated). This is due to the standard curriculum portrayal of physical science as ‘facts’ and not mere ‘perceptions’ or ‘interpretations’ that are debatable, in contrast to the social sciences. Debates, however, are not only healthy parts of growing scientifically on social topics, but also in the physical sciences. 

Quoting Christian apologist Mike Riddle, Dr. Buckland-Reynolds encourages youths from early on to ask three questions for critical thinking: 

• • How do they know it is true?
  • Has it ever been observed?
  • Are you making any assumptions? (Is there any other way to interpret this evidence?) 

One example of a scientist who used critical thinking, revolutionizing the practice of medical hygiene was Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis. Dr. Semmelweis lived in an era where medical doctors washed hands in basins of water that were used by multiple doctors and not changed. At the same time, there was a spike in maternal deaths. Mainstream medicine attributed the deaths to bad air, but Semmelweis questioned the conclusions and assumptions of his colleagues. He observed that maternal deaths from puerperal fever were significantly higher in clinics where doctors performed autopsies before delivering babies without washing their hands in running water, compared to midwife-led clinics. Guided by his belief in the sanctity of life, which aligned with the Biblical principles of cleanliness (e.g., Numbers 19:11-22 on purification with running water), Semmelweis introduced handwashing with chlorinated lime in running water for medical staff. 

Despite ridicule from his peers, Semmelweis used critical thinking to challenge the prevailing thought. He meticulously used observation through collecting data, demonstrating a dramatic drop in maternal mortality rates (from 18% to less than 2%) after implementing handwashing protocols. As a Christian, Semmelweis’ work laid the foundation for modern antiseptic practices, saving countless lives and revolutionizing infection control in medicine. Semmelweis’s persistence in the face of opposition exemplifies the power of distinguishing interpretation from evidence guided by moral conviction. 

3. Respect is important while standing firm 

In academia (just as in any workplace, school and even church), we will inevitably find ourselves in fields where we must rub shoulders with persons who have varying views. While non-Christian counterparts may be disrespectful, understand that not having the power of the Holy Spirit would make patience for unbelievers very difficult. Amid hostility, your example of patience, calm responses, and kindness can be a powerful witness to the distinct edge that Christianity gives to character.  

Will YOU make the bold difference in academia? 

While academia continues to trend away from God, being countercultural as a scientist may be a challenge in an age where ‘consensus’ often rules the day. Standing firm in your convictions, rooted in faith and truth, can be a beacon of light in academia’s pursuit of knowledge. Embracing critical thinking, exploring evidence, and questioning assumptions not only aligns with the scientific method but also reflects the timeless wisdom of Scripture. As others search for answers, your steadfast faith may open the door to meaningful dialogue bridging the gap between science and spirituality – fostering breakthroughs, just as God enabled the Christian pioneers of modern science to achieve. 

Be the Christian difference in academia. Your boldness could impact generations and shape a more holistic, truth-driven academic environment. 

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.