Every so often, we see headlines confirming and refuting Biblical events and miracles. When science confirms a Biblical event — like some scientists recently did when they confirmed that an earthquake occurred when Christ died on the cross (Mt. 27:51) — many Christians repeat the claim triumphantly.

“See! What we believe is true.”

As if science is the arbiter of truth when it comes to the story of Christ and the works of God.

Is it neat or interesting that science can corroborate stories from within the Bible? Sure. But neat or interesting is where it ends. If we, as Christians, wait for science to confirm our faith, we’ll die as middling believers at best.

The stories of the Bible are beyond the theories of science; they always will be beyond the theories of science. Because science, as we know, changes, and yesterday’s truths are tomorrow’s heresies and vice versa.

Science will never confirm the resurrection. Science will never confirm transubstantiation. Science will never confirm the miracles at Fatima or Lourdes or Guadalupe, or the everyday miracles in our own lives.

And yet, we continue to believe.

†

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Mt. 27:51