science not at war, says Bishop Barron Journeying with the Word of God

A group of five galaxies that appear close to each other in the sky is seen in this image released by NASA July 12, 2022. The galaxies are seen in a mosaic, or composite, of near and mid-infrared data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, a revolutionary apparatus designed to peer through the cosmos to the dawn of the universe. The cosmos is among topics covered by "Wonder," a new five-part documentary from Word on Fire that explores the interplay between various aspects of science and Catholic tradition. (OSV News photo/NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team, Handout via Reuters)

(OSV News) - A new film series aims to show that faith and science are as interlinked as the double helix of a DNA molecule.

The Word on Fire evangelization ministry recently announced the release of "Wonder," a five-part documentary project that explores the interplay between various aspects of science and Catholic tradition.

Produced through a grant from the John Templeton Foundation, the episodes narrated by actor Jonathan Roumie will be released Feb. 13-17, one per day, on Word on Fire's website and YouTube channel.

The nature of light, Trinitarian traces in the cosmos, human and animal language, St. Augustine and evolution are among the topics on tap, along with a detailed look at how the geometry of Chartres Cathedral's North Rose Window in Chartres, France, points to the theology of salvation.

The films' release follows Word on Fire's Jan. 13-14 Wonder conference in Dallas, which featured an array of experts in physics, philosophy, technology, theology and history.

Word on Fire founder Bishop Robert E. Barron of WinonaRochester, Minnesota, said in a Jan. 31 news release that he was ''ecstatic" over the "Wonder" series' release.

The ministry has dedicated considerable resources over the years "to show that the war between faith and science is untrue," said Bishop Barron in his statement.

The often oppositional relationship between scientific and religious worldviews "has been a perennial concern of Bishop Barron's apologetic and evangelization efforts for decades," said Word on Fire CEO Father Steve Grunow in an email to OSV News.

Faith often withers due to "perceived discrepancies" between religious belief and science, Father Grunow said.

The issue "is particularly evident in younger generational cohorts (inhibiting) religious belief and practice," he told OSV News.

Both scientists and theologians bear responsibility for "the false perception that scientific and religious ways of knowing are innately conflictual," said Father Grunow. "We can all do much better at presenting our positions with clarity and charity."

He pointed out that Christianity actually helped to lay the groundwork for modern scientific inquiry by viewing the world as distinct from its Creator, rather than "an object of worship," and "created to be known" on its own terms.

Director Manny Marquez told OSV News the "Wonder" films which were "unlike anything else" he had worked on presented "an opportunity to make a difference in the conversation" between faith and science. But from a technical perspective, the task was not an easy one, he admitted.

"When you are talking about things ranging from the omegaminus particle to the Trinity, there will be challenges," Marquez told OSV News.

Marquez said he first spent more than a month reading the "amazing and densely academic" script (please turn to page 10)

MAKING THE WORD OF GOD YOUR OWN

Step 1: Lookattoday’sReadingsprayerfully.

1st Reading: This passage deals with the free will God has given to us, the freedom to choose between good and evil and the fact that we have to face the consequences of our choices.

2nd Reading: Paul compares the wisdom that comes from human philosophy with true wisdom that comes only to us from God’s Spirit.

Gospel: Jesus did not come to set aside God’s commandments but to give new meaning to them by showing that they are positive in outlook.

Step 2: ApplyingthevaluesoftheReadings toyourdailylife.

1.“Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets.” What could have been the situation that prompted Jesus to use these words?

2.Jesus insists that if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Can this also refer to other things we just think about but do not do?

3.The First Reading says that keeping the commandments is a personal decision. Whether we keep them or not is all up to us individually. What do you think would be the consequences if we do not keep the commandments?

4.Moral behaviour is an important part to Christian living. Could you challenge the Church on any of its moral teachings?

Step 3: Accepting the message of God’s Wordinyourlifeoffaith

Jesus showed that the Commandments teach attitudes of reverence and respect – reverence for God, for God’s name and for God’s day, and respect for parents, for life, for the property of others, for truth, for the good name of another person, and for oneself. As Christians we must take responsibility for our own wrongdoing, rather than laying the blame on God or on others. We have the freedom to do what is wrong just as we have the freedom to do what is right.

Step 4: Somethingtothink&prayabout

1.Reflect honestly on your life. Would you say you have a lot of anger bottled up inside? Do you feel you need to deal with your anger? Does your anger erupt every now and then, making life difficult for those close to you? Is it possible to put your anger to good use?

2.Pray that you will keep God’s laws not because of fear of punishment, but because you are sure it is the right thing to do. ❖

[From: Journeying with the Word of God, The Religious Education Department, Diocese of Georgetown, Guyana ]