Science and God for kids (and others): Steph Bryant explores answers to the most fascinating questions

Through co-editing an exciting new book, Steph Bryant encourages us to ‘embrace questions which may never have a definite answer with a sense of fun, openness, and wonder’.

Is the human brain the most powerful thing on earth?  
If God made everything, who made God?  
What is the point of life? 
Could a robot fall in love? 
Why doesn’t the Bible mention dinosaurs? 
Do other animals have religions? 
What’s beyond the universe? 
Could Jesus get out of a black hole? 

If you’ve ever been asked mind-bending questions like these by the children and young people you know, then you might breathe a sigh of relief when you hear about 101 Great Big Questions About God and Science. This is the newest book from the Faraday Institute’s Youth and Schools Programme and it offers a faith-enhancing exploration of these big questions. With fun and engaging contributions from The Revd Professor David Wilkinson, Dr Katharine Hayhoe, The Right Reverend Professor N T Wright, and many more scientists, philosophers and theologians, this book is perfect for budding scientists, theologians, and any who are curious about the really big questions of life.

Louisa Lockwood, editor at Preach magazine, thinks it could inspire topics and conversations for all-age services and could provide some attention-grabbing sermon starter questions. And even a few, but not all, answers!

Some of these questions may seem too big for children to explore sensibly, but even the youngest of children are often curious askers of enormous questions. Avoiding questions about God and science because we feel out of our depth or uncomfortable can leave children feeling as though science and faith are incompatible ways of exploring the world, between which they must choose. So instead, it’s worth us thinking about how we can support the young people we know, as they explore their (and our) big questions about science and faith.

Firstly, you don’t have to be an expert to help young people to explore their big questions in meaningful and fun ways: you simply need to be available, and willing to affirm and journey with children as they dig deeper. Secondly, we need to remember that exploring questions is not about having all the right or impressive sounding answers. The centuries of discussions regarding science and faith demonstrate that there are some answers we might never know. But, in a complex and uncertain world, ‘I don’t know’ is a refreshingly honest phrase that can allow us to model a healthy, curious, and secure approach to uncertainties. It gives us space to consider the kinds of questions for which humans have or haven’t found answers; whether we might one day be able to find an answer; how different ways of exploring – from philosophy and history to science and religious thinking – can and can’t contribute; how to embrace questions which may never have a definite answer with a sense of fun, openness, and wonder.

Ultimately, celebrating curiosity and the amazing things we can learn about and ponder when we’re open to asking big questions, can help our young people to explore their world with confidence and joy.

If you’re not sure where to start in this adventure, why not begin by diving into wonder with the children you know: try out exciting science experiments, read some of the great science-faith children’s books out there, welcome questions, celebrate what science can help us to learn about our incredible universe, and ultimately praise God for what we uncover along the way.

Steph Bryant
Steph Byrant is co-editor (with Lizzie Henderson) of 101 Great Big Questions about God and Science and co-author of the God Made series. She is the Youth and Schools Programme Co-Director for The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion. It was while studying at Cambridge University that Steph realised that the wonder she felt in studying science was really an invitation to worship God.

You can order a copy of 101 Great Big Questions about God and Science from Lion Hudson HERE
NB from Thursday 17 March for a week, The Faraday Institute is offering 20% discount across all kids’ books. Use the code ‘kids22’ on the Faraday website shop.
Register to watch the free online book launch on Thursday 17 March, 7pm to 8pm HERE
Find out more about The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion HERE