Galileo vs Scripture
“Religion is a culture of faith; science is a culture of doubt.” (Richard Feynman) Essentially, religion is the assertion of trust or confidence in a being or an idea with or without evidence, while science challenges faith through discovery, facts, and observations. Clearly, this imbalance creates tension between religion and science. Scientific Revolution scientist Galileo Galilei challenged the literal interpretation of Scripture through astronomy. Through the use of his invention, the telescope, Galileo was able to develop a heliocentric model and determine the location of the moons of Jupiter. Galileo’s findings were translated into multiple publications, which educated and set the foundation for future scientists. While Galileo’s observations and factual evidence justified his work, the religious authorities’ followed faith through Scripture, which imposed ideas including the geocentric model and anti-copernicanistic ideas. Galileo’s struggle against Scripture brings about an important question to European history: “How and why does Galileo oppose the literal interpretation of Scripture?”
Galileo opposed the literal interpretation of Scripture through the concept of epistemology and a belief in quantification to not only prove the “truth” in humanity through science, but also expose a new interpretation of Scripture. To Galileo, Scripture allows room to maneuver, while science does not. On one hand, the church believes mathematical formulas and science should not change thousands of years of tradition and religion, while Galileo believes science provides certainty through direct proof. Essentially, this raised the question of epistemology, or the study of the nature of knowledge itself. The literal interpretation of knowledge in Scripture expresses credibility through the Holy Spirit: “the purpose of the authority of Holy Scripture is solely to persuade men of those articles and propositions which are necessary to their salvation and which, being beyond the scope of human reasoning, could not be made credible to us by science or by any other means, but only through the mouth of the Holy Spirit himself.” (Science Breaks Out and Breaks Through, 41) Galileo believes it’s wrong to blindly believe science and human reasoning through the Holy Spirit, rather, focus on his interpretation of Scripture: “we are capable of finding out by exercising [God’s endowment of sense].” (Science Breaks Out and Breaks Through, 41) To Galileo, epistemology is bestowed upon humanity through God, and it’s the job of the people to utilize it for future findings. He even claims how Scripture contains so little of astronomy that it doesn’t mention the planets, furthering his case of developing a heliocentric model; however, why was it Galileo’s mission to oppose the literal interpretation of Scripture? Despite opposing various religious beliefs, Galileo was a religious man, who sought problem with Scripture. To him, Scripture was vague and by utilizing God’s gift of knowledge and sense to humanity, one could develop a more in-depth meaning to Scripture and ultimately, human knowledge. Epistemology sparked scientists to use measurements and data to develop evidence. Galileo used quantification to express his findings to oppose the literal interpretation of Scripture. In his letter to Don Benedetto Castelli, Galileo uses his evidence through research to answer the concept of motion to quantify the center of motion. He proves that the length of the day is determined by the primum mobile, and how stopping of the motion of the Sun would shorten the day, not lengthen it. Using his evidence, he disputes findings of Scripture: “So it is simply impossible, according to the system of Ptolemy and Aristotle, to prolong the day by stopping the motion of the Sun, as Scripture says happened” (Science Breaks Out and Breaks Through, 42). Although Galileo clearly proves how Scripture’s interpretation of astronomy is false, he simply explains how one can extend the length of the day my making the Sun stand still, without altering the words of Scripture. By not explicitly detailing the flaws of Scripture, Galileo sustains his belief in God and provides a scientific understanding of his works in religious terms, as he understands the ramifications if he spoke against the Church, ultimately savoring his credibility.
Despite Galileo’s outstanding work, he was placed under house arrest and penance for breaking a contract with the church due to his scientific views. Nonetheless, Galileo continued to practice science discretely. All in all, Galileo’s opposition of the literal interpretation of Scripture through the concept of epistemology and a belief in quantification displayed “truth” in humanity through science and a unique interpretation of Scripture.
Works Cited
Backman, Clifford R. The Cultures of the West: A History. Second ed. Vol. 2. New York: Oxford UP, 2016. Print.
Galilei, Galileo. Science Breaks Out and Breaks Through. Letter to Don Benedetto Castelli, December 21, 1613
Backman, Clifford R. The Cultures of the West: A History. Second ed. Vol. 2. New York: Oxford UP, 2016. Print.
