Dan Brown, author of the Da Vinci Code and more recently Origin, is one of the most successful authors of all time. According to Brown’s own admission, he writes to undermine the beliefs of Christianity. His motivation goes back to a conversation with his priest when he was 13 years old.

In an interview with Parade magazine, Brown explained: “I was raised Episcopalian, and I was very religious as a kid. Then, in eighth or ninth grade, I studied astronomy, cosmology, and the origins of the universe. I remember saying to a minister, ‘I don’t get it. I read a book that said there was an explosion known as the Big Bang, but here it says God created heaven and Earth and the animals in seven days. Which is right?’ Unfortunately, the response I got was, ‘Nice boys don’t ask that question.’ A light went off, and I said, ‘The Bible doesn’t make sense. Science makes much more sense to me.’ And I just gravitated away from religion.”

To say the priest’s answer was unfortunate is a massive understatement. At that moment, Brown was led to believe that he had to decide between science or God. Or in other words, reality or a delusion.

Given those two options, who wouldn’t choose to follow science?

But does the Bible force a person to make that decision? Not at all. In fact, the God of the Bible encourages you, even commands you, to study the natural world.

God loves science
God is not afraid of science. In fact, when you study the natural world, it will give you a more complete understanding of God.

Let me explain . . .

If I studied and understood something about an iPhone, I would learn something about Steve Jobs.

If I studied and understood something about a Tesla car, I would understand something about Elon Musk.

In the same way, when I study and understand the natural world, I understand something about its Creator.

That’s what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

So you don’t have to deny science to follow God. In fact, the Bible says when you study the natural world, you will clearly see God’s eternal power and his divine nature.

The right question
So you don’t have to answer the question: “Is science real or is God real?” That’s the wrong question.

The right question is, “Does the God of the Bible exist?”

And you know what? Science can begin to help you answer that question.

For example, modern-day scientists are finding out that the world had a beginning. Therefore, the universe needs an eternal Beginner. The natural world points to God.

Modern-day scientists are finding that our DNA is a code or language. And every language needs an Author. The natural world points to God.

Modern-day scientists are finding that life never comes from non-life. Therefore, life needs an Author. The natural world points to God.

Modern-day scientists are finding that plants, animals, and people couldn’t have descended from one common ancestor. Complex and diverse life-forms need a complex and diverse Creator. The natural world points to God.

Some have thought that the more we know about the natural world, the less we will believe in God. But that’s not happening. The more we learn and understand about the natural world, the more it points to an ultimate Creator, Artist, Architect, and Engineer.

Ask your questions
In Brown’s own words, it was “unfortunate” that his priest dismissed his question. Had his priest validated and even answered his question, Brown might have used his talents to glorify his Creator and Savior.

But that doesn’t have to be your story. Ask your questions about science, history, and even psychology. But keep an open mind. Don’t harden your heart to the possibility that the Bible could be true, that you are not an accident, and one day all your questions will be answered.

Who knows? The Holy Spirit might just use science to draw you to his Word, and through his Word to Christ.