Notable Scientists who were believers and list of references •
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Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543)
Astronomer who put forward the first mathematically based system of planets going around the sun.
Copernicus referred to God in his works, and saw no conflict with the Bible.
Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1627)
Bacon was a philosopher known for establishing the scientific method based on experimentation.
Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
A brilliant mathematician and astronomer.
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Although remembered for his conflict with the Roman Catholic Church, Galileo expressly said that the
Bible cannot err, and saw his system as an alternate interpretation of the biblical texts.
Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
French mathematician, scientist and philosopher who has been called the father of modern philosophy.
Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and theologian.
Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
Known for optics, mechanics, and mathematics. In Principia he stated, "The most beautiful system of
the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and
powerful Being."
Robert Boyle (1791-1867)
One of the founders of the Royal Society. Known for "Boyle's Law" for gases, and also wrote an
important work on chemistry. A devout Christian.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867)
Best known for his work on electricity and magnetism. Faraday was a devout Christian.
Gregor Mendel (1822-1884)
Laid the mathematical foundations of genetics.
William Thomson Kelvin (1824-1907)
Laid the foundations of modern physics. He was a very committed Christian along with fellow
physicists George Gabriel Stokes (1819-1903) and James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879).
Max Planck (1858-1947)
Best known for quantum theory, which revolutionized our understanding of atomic phyisics.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Probably the best known and most highly revered scientist of the twentieth century for his work on
time, gravity, and the conversion of matter to energy (E=mc2). Although never coming to belief in a
personal God, he recognized the impossibility of a non-created universe. Once said, "I want to know
how God created this world, I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or
that element. I want to know His thoughts, the rest are details.”
“The Genesis Debate: Three Views on the Days of Creation” – J Ligon Duncan et al “Genesis Unbound” – John Sailhamer “The Fingerprint of God” – Hugh Ross “The Language of God” – Francis S Collins “Darwin’s Black Box” – Michael Behe “Intelligent Design” – William Dembski and Michael Behe “Not A Chance” – RC Sproul “God and The New Physics” – Paul Davies “The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory” – -­‐ Brian Greene “Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos” – -­‐ Michio Kaku Copyright 2012 -­‐ Brian Hoekstra 3 www.brianhoekstra.com/Study