What is Naturalism?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Naturalism is a worldview that holds that everything in the universe can be explained using natural processes, rather than supernatural explanations. However, the Bible offers a fundamentally different perspective. Scripture affirms God's existence as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Genesis 1:1). It depicts a world in which natural and supernatural realities exist and interact. The Bible mentions a spiritual realm, including angels and demons, and confirms the existence of the human soul (Genesis 1:26–27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). It depicts miracles as actual events in which God intervenes in the natural order (Exodus 14:21–22; John 11:43–44). Most significantly, the Bible portrays humans as more than just physical beings, created in God's image and capable of relationship with Him (Genesis 1:27; John 4:24). This biblical worldview is in stark contrast to naturalism's claim that only the physical, observable world exists.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This establishes a supernatural origin for the natural world, which contradicts naturalism's central premise.
• Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." This verse implies that nature points to a supernatural Creator, challenging naturalism's view of a self-contained universe.
• Exodus 3:14: "God told Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel: "I AM has sent me to you."'" God's self-revelation as an eternal, self-existent being contradicts naturalism's rejection of supernatural reality.
• Job 38:4–7: "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" This passage establishes God's role in creation and the limitations of human understanding, calling into question naturalism's claim to explain everything through natural processes.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• John 1:1,3: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." This passage affirms the divine origin of all things, which contradicts naturalism's concept of a self-existent universe.
• Colossians 1:16–17: "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions, rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and he holds everything together." These verses not only confirm God's role in creation, but also His ongoing sustenance of the universe, calling into question naturalism's notion of a self-sustaining natural world.
• Romans 1:20: "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." This verse reveals that nature itself bears witness to God's existence, which contradicts naturalism's claim that only the physical world exists.
• Hebrews 11:3: “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." This directly challenges naturalism by claiming that the visible world came from an invisible, divine source.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

A biblical perspective on naturalism should help believers recognize the limitations of purely naturalistic explanations and to hold a worldview that encompasses both natural and supernatural realities. While acknowledging the importance of scientific methods in comprehending the natural world, believers are encouraged to recognize that science cannot provide a complete explanation of reality. The biblical worldview allows for the coexistence of scientific discovery and faith, viewing scientific laws as descriptions of how God typically sustains and orders His creation.

Also, the biblical rejection of naturalism upholds the worth and dignity of human life beyond biological processes. It implies that humans are intrinsically valuable as bearers of God's image, which has implications for ethics, human rights, and how we treat one another. The Bible's view of naturalism also influences how Christians perceive consciousness, free will, and morality. Rather than viewing these as mere byproducts of physical processes, the biblical worldview situates them within humanity's creation in God's image, providing a foundation for genuine choice, responsibility, and ethical behavior.

UNDERSTAND

• Naturalism asserts that everything can be explained by natural causes, with no supernatural elements.
• The Bible affirms God's existence, the supernatural realm, and human souls, contrasting naturalism's view of a purely physical world.
• A biblical perspective challenges naturalism's limitations, upholding a worldview that includes both natural and supernatural realities.

REFLECT

• What limitations do you see in a naturalistic worldview? How does recognizing the supernatural influence the way you view the world and your faith?
• How have you experienced or witnessed the interaction between natural and supernatural realities in your life?
• How can you better integrate a biblical perspective that values both scientific discovery and faith in your everyday decisions?

ENGAGE

• How can we engage with those who hold a naturalistic worldview while not shying away from the supernatural?
• What are the challenges of holding a biblical worldview in a society that often prioritizes naturalistic explanations, and how can we stay encouraged?
• How does acknowledging the existence of the supernatural impact our understanding of human dignity, morality, and ethics, in contrast to naturalism?
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