Journal of Contemporary Studies on Religion and Science (JCSRS)

Journal of Contemporary Studies on Religion and Science (JCSRS)

Understanding and Respecting God's Word and World- Faith and Epistemology in Orthodox Religious Communities

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract
This paper explores the epistemological foundations underpinning the relationship between faith and science within orthodox religious communities, particularly through a theological-philosophical lens. Emphasizing a textualist worldview, it argues that the sacred texts of religious traditions—such as the Psalms in the Judeo-Christian canon and the Qur’an in Islam—inform not only spiritual understanding but also perceptions of scientific inquiry and material reality. The paper introduces four epistemological propositions for consideration: the indivisibility of God and the interconnectedness of knowledge; the co-eternity of God and truth; the sanctity of God and all creation; and the coinherence of divine and human speech. Through these propositions, it is posited that orthodox theistic traditions possess the intellectual resources to affirm the legitimacy of science while simultaneously insisting upon its moral accountability. The discussion challenges secular assumptions of epistemological autonomy in science and highlights the theological imperative to view scientific discoveries as part of a divine disclosure rather than isolated human achievement. In doing so, the paper aims to encourage interdisciplinary dialogue that respects the integrity of both scientific and religious inquiry, while advocating for an integrated worldview rooted in theistic epistemology.
Keywords