In a recent interview, Dr. Jordan Peterson put forward the belief that science is founded on five metaphysical presumptions. Not that Dr. Peterson needs my confirmation, but I agree with him.

Up front, let’s discuss definitions: Working backward…

Science involves a pursuit of knowledge covering general truths or the operations of fundamental laws.

A presumption contains grounds, reason, or evidence that lends probability to a belief.

Sometimes the words assumption and presumption are used interchangeably, as if they are synonymous. But this isn’t accurate. An assumption is not rooted in fact. It assumes something to be the case but without evidence. A presumption is presumed true because of a reasoned process that includes evidence and distinct probability.

Metaphysical is a fancy word that means the first principles or the fundamental nature of reality. Metaphysics is also the study of ultimate cause in the universe.

This means all the -ologies are encompassed in the study of metaphysics. This includes theology, cosmology, ontology, epistemology, biology, and so forth.

Thus, metaphysical presumption means: The foundational principles upon which science rests, consists, and is governed by in its exploration of all things small and large.

The five metaphysical presumptions are:

1.       There is a logic, or logos—rationale, reason, rhythm—in the objective world.

2.       There is an objective world, meaning: a world you can assess.

3.       This logic/logos is apprehensible, i.e., you can understand and apply it meaningfully.

4.       Apprehending this logic is a moral good (because why would you bother otherwise?).

5.       Truth in relation to apprehension is the most important orienting principle.

Now, let’s examine these five presumptions and see if they reveal our faith:

First: There is logic, logos, or rationale to the objective world embodied in concepts and ideas.

Recall the opening lines of John’s Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him; and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (1:1-3).

Clearly, John opens his book laying out first things, making a metaphysical declaration, and as he does so he identifies “the Word” as existing in the beginning and being the originator of all things. John’s term for “the Word” is the Greek word logos. In short, Jesus-the-logos is the embodiment of God’s reasoning for all matters small and large.

Recall Colossians 1:16-17: “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together [lit. consist].”

Everything you perceive had to have an origin. Its presence is dependent upon something greater than itself, holding it together, and retaining its consistency. This objectivity is the logical necessity, or logos, of science. Christianity recognizes the logos as Jesus Christ.

Second: There is an objective world. Look around. There is observable order. A dandelion has no ability to think and reason, no ability to schedule its bloom and production of a seedhead, yet it lives an ordered life-cycle. The constellations move across the sky in the same arcs for us as they did for the ancients. Each atom is held together even though composed of opposing forces.

John declares that Jesus made all things (1:3). Paul asserts that it is Jesus who holds all things together (Col. 1:17). The first chapter of Romans notes, “For since the creation of the world His [God’s] invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made” (1:20).

The second metaphysical presumption is we live in an objective world, a world that is observable, measurable, and knowable. Jesus’ fingerprints are on each petal of every Petunia. It is His power that defines the acceleration of gravitational pull. By His standard, each nanometer of light wavelength is measured. It is Jesus who causes each seed to germinate. In Him all things consist and hold together.

Third: The logos, the logic, is not only objective, it is also apprehensible, i.e., you can understand and apply it meaningfully. The logos informs and governs your life on Earth. All you need to do is observe. Reference again, Romans 1:20 and ponder the precision of Earth’s atmosphere, nature’s ingenuity, and the manner in which your body is balanced.

Fourth: That you apprehend—understand, grasp, take into your consciousness—the logos is a good thing. By this apprehension, you are aware of moral good, a good that instills humility in you and an awareness of a greater good, a Supreme Good, that bears testimony to God’s existence, care, and persistent presence.

It is this good that Plato identified as higher than the pantheon of gods and from which true divinity emanates. By definition, Plato determined that for the Good to be supreme it is incumbent that the Good come to us and make itself known. Even though Plato lived four centuries before Jesus, he anticipated the Incarnation of God in Christ, the Supreme Good come down to us to establish morality and an innate sense of good versus evil that points upward to Him. Why? Because it is incumbent on Good to do this or else He is not truly good.

To summarize: The drive within every person, what Paschal called the God-shaped vacuum, and what Paul terms the drawing of man to God, is the fourth metaphysical presumption of science. The existent logic, the logos, and the presence of objectivity in the world, requires that you apprehend where moral good comes from and realize that you can know it/Him.

Fifth: The final metaphysical presumption determines that truth is the reasonable, logical, scientific principle that orients you. Thus, it only makes sense that if you are to proceed rationally, based upon the necessary presumptions of a scientific approach, you will orient your steps, study, and pursuits based upon revealed truth. To do otherwise is irrational, unscientific even.

But. There is always a “but” with humankind, isn’t there? But as the Book of Proverbs notes, “Pride goes before destruction, / And a haughty spirit before stumbling” (16:18).

Even though the metaphysical presumptions of science persisted during the Enlightenment Age of the 17th and 18th centuries, the entropic trend of human arrogance can be traced: Kant limited and redefined metaphysical presumption and became agnostic. His mentee, Descartes, lost touch with the essential metaphysical presumptions and declared atheism. Following his lead, Nietzsche declared nihilism, and following him, Sartre followed the “science” of the day into existential nothingness. Today, as we are witnessing, basic science is often simply ignored.

The Enlightenment is a historical misnomer, a misnaming, an accepted designation that in time proved itself the opposite of what it declared. Instead of enlightened, mankind demonstrated himself darkened in mind, seared in conscience, and even though professing himself wise, demonstrated himself a fool.

Where did the Enlightenment lead us?

It led us away from the five metaphysical presumptions upon which science rests. In religious language, the Enlightenment led us away from Jesus, the light of the world and logos of God, and into the darkness of independent reasoning apart from God and what can be known about God that is self-evident (cf. Rm. 1:20).

Where are we? Today, the logic of the world is unknowable. There is no logos. There is no objective measure. You can’t know if any truth exists, and even if it does, you are entitled to a truth of your choosing.

The only thing we know for certain is, according to Stephen Hawking, we don’t need God. Gravity is sufficient to explain everything, the professor believed.

Truth? Ah, yes. The pesky fifth metaphysical presumption.

Of late, our most enlightened minds have determined truth nonexistent, unknowable, and anyone who declares otherwise is an enemy of utopian ideals and must be silenced. This is the science, they say, even though it smells like duplicity, sounds like godlessness, justifies tyranny, and takes the form of classical Marxism, i.e., Socialism.

In our quest to dismiss the objective world, and the consequential God behind it, nothing comes from nothing. Truth is whatever you wish it to be. There is no scientific arbiter to fall back upon because the metaphysical presumptions are discarded. Thus, any means are justified to achieve the utopian ideal that has taken the place of metaphysical presumption.

Why would thinking individuals disregard the foundations of science?

While science is a broad category, the consistent story of enlightened science across its spectrum of study is exactly what Professor Hawking declared: “We don’t need God.” Today’s scientific presumption, its statement of first things, its starting point, is atheism. There is no God.

This is not only a starting assumption, it is a desperate declaration. If there is no God, then humankind reigns supreme. On the other hand, if there is a God, then humankind has no choice by definition but to bow his knee. Remember the Proverb above: The sin of pride is the fundamental sin because it is pride that rebels against bowing the knee.

Recall what Jesus said: He came to divide, not like the cultural schisms of today, which are largely inane, but to separate those allied with God from those dedicated to self-sufficient independence.

It’s not that science seeks to embrace foolishness, per se. Rather, it’s that humankind contends against the five metaphysical presumptions in a quest to eliminate recognition of Jesus Christ. In turn, this determines what we call, science.

Ah, the enlightened world gone dark with self-absorbed professions.

Where is Jesus?

He is enmeshed within each metaphysical presumption. He is the necessary logos, the understood logic of God, the Supreme holder and initiator of good. He is the orienting principle, the Universe’s Constant, the One in whom all things consist and are held together.

That science has departed from its metaphysical presumptions does nothing to eliminate God’s existence or the epistemological necessity of Jesus Christ. The five metaphysical presumptions remain and are self-evident. They must be lest the Supreme Good fail to come to us and make Himself known.

Thus, we do not have a scientific crisis. We have a spiritual crisis.

Society has sacrificed scientific standard on the altar of Socialism—mankind’s utopian plan apart from God. Marx understood Socialistic-Communism was a religious declaration, not a political one. Marx understood that for Socialistic-Communism to work, atheism was paramount. As Bob Dillon sang, “You’ve got to serve somebody.” Today’s science has opted to serve Socialism’s ideology of utopianism at the expense of its foundational, metaphysical presumptions. Marx is in, Jesus is out. The results are telling.  

We are not facing a political crisis in the West. We are facing a spiritual crisis. Therefore, this is our moment as Christians. It is for these dark times that we are called children of light.

None of the current mania surprises God. Therefore, as your good Father, dedicated to your wellbeing, God has equipped you for such times as these. He must have! How could He not? To fail in His preparedness of your soul and spirit would be for Him to fail as God. THAT is unthinkable!

Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Jesus Christ (cf. Jn. 14:1).

No man can take you out of God’s hand. So, set your mind on what is true, on things above, not things on earth. Pay attention: Father God’s mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness to you.

Look around. Jesus-the-logos is evident, knowable, apprehendable; the very embodiment of Good, and the singular declaration of truth. By Him, through Him, and in Him all things consist and hold together.

What is your reasonable course of action?

Embrace what is evident: Jesus, the Incarnate God come to you. He is grace and truth, evident in all things small and large.

Note: I develop more fully several of the concepts in this article in my book, Swagger: Keeping Your Wits About You When Others Are Not. You can purchase the book here. Swagger is a collection of essays on life, thought, and belief. It is written to guide twenty-somethings and older in critical thinking.

ALSO: Frank Friedmann and I were hosted by Tony Clark on the Vine Life podcast. It is always great to sit with both of these friends, but even more so to sit with both at once. You can listen to the discussion here.