The Reformation’s Effect on Church and Science – Dr. Kenneth Howell

In a lecture from our 2005 Deep in History conference, Dr. Kenneth Howell looks at the emergence of modern science, and how the Reformation affected the West’s understanding of the relationship between faith and reason. Howell explores the revolutions that went on in scientific discovery in the 16th and 17th centuries, and looks at the tension between religion and science that began to develop as these discoveries began to take place outside of the context of the Christian disciplines.

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Study Guide:

-Is there any connection between Christianity and the emergence of modern science? Is there a “passing on” of Tradition in both religion and science?

-What is the purpose of the Bible (Scripture), according to Dr. Howell? Why does he seek to clarify that point?

-What were four of the ways that Christian thought functioned as a strong motivation to pursue science, according to Dr. Howell? What importance did mathematics play?

-What call does Dr. Howell give to educated Catholics? Do you think this is important? What should be the Catholic Church’s relationship with science presently, as Dr. Howell suggests?

-What does Dr. Howell believe will bring about the reunion of empirical science, philosophy, and the knowledge of God? Do you agree?

Important Terminology:

Modern Science: The radical transformation which occurred in the natural sciences during the 16th and 17th centuries, surrounding the Protestant Reformation and the voyages which ultimately led to the discovery of the New World.