I believe science has greatly enriched my faith, by showing me the incredible magnitude, beauty, and activity in the universe

When and how did you first know you wanted to become an astronomer?
I grew up in the rural and beautiful Ozark mountain region of the central U.S., on a cattle farm spread across meadows, forests, valleys, ponds, and streams, with nearby clean lakes and rivers to play in as well.  So I felt very close to nature my whole life, and always enjoyed exploring the natural world.  I also enjoyed looking up at the dark sky filled with bright stars at night, and wondering what it would be like to explore the universe.    I enjoyed science and mathematics classes in school, but I also enjoyed music and athletics and other subjects as well.   When I entered my university studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,  I knew that I wanted to do something space-related, but I wasn’t sure what.   I chose physics as a major because I like physics and I knew I could apply physics to many kinds of space-related engineering or science degrees.    When I took an astronomy class during my second or third year at MIT, I began to realize how fascinating it is to apply physics to the understanding the nature of the solar system and the entire universe.  That is when I knew I wanted to be a part of the field of astrophysics.

The Eagle Nebula

Astronomy and your Christian faith are two intertwining themes in your life. Do they strengthen each other?
Absolutely.  For me, Christian faith came first, from childhood.  So my life of faith has been a continual learning and growing experience of following Christ and seeking Him more deeply in each new situation, challenge, and phase of life. I believe science has greatly enriched my faith, by showing me the incredible magnitude, beauty, and activity in the universe, with the largest and smallest imaginable scales of activity intertwined by the laws of physics in intriguing ways. This, along with the enormous timescales involved in the unfolding of the universe, has deepened my awe of creation and my humility before the Creator. The flip-side of this intertwining is the daily reality in the Christian life of walking personally with God.  This means seeking and communicating with God in prayer, and seeking God’s help and wisdom in all aspects of life, including scientific pursuits, and in the daily tasks and personal interactions that aren’t usually as glamorous as the big ultimate questions of the universe.  

During your career, have there been instances where something changed in your faith which subsequently changed the way you did science, and/or vice versa?
I don’t think anything in my faith has changed the mechanics of how I carry out scientific work.  But it does influence how I make choices and set priorities.  I’m constantly reminded that God deeply loves each person with whom I interact, and so my scientific interactions aren’t only about scientific progress and products; they also concern the welfare and value of all the people I interact with in the scientific sphere, whether that be colleagues, students, or the interested public.

You’ve worked with several kinds of telescopes throughout your career.  Can you describe some of your work and your favorite discoveries?
Well that is a hard question to answer, because there are so many amazing discoveries in astronomy these days! Perhaps most notable for me early on was the surprise discovery of a comet during a student intern experience I had at an observatory. Wow!  For much of my own subsequent research,  I’ve worked with radio telescopes, and also with telescopes sensitive to visible and infrared light.  My research focuses on how stars are continuing to form in pockets of dense, interstellar gas.  Our Milky Way galaxy, and other galaxies like it, is filled with clouds of gas and dust, and it is in the densest regions of these clouds that new stars can actually form through the collapse of clumps of dense gas.  We now know that planets form right along with stars, and that in fact planets are rather common throughout the galaxy!  We didn’t know of any planets outside the solar system when I started graduate school.  But now, years later, with advances in telescope technology, we know of thousands of planets orbiting stars other than our Sun.  These “exoplanets” are intriguing, and a hot topic of study; astronomers are striving to understand the nature of these distant planets.  We want to know if there could be habitable worlds filling the universe! But overall, I think my favourite astronomical image is the “Hubble Ultra Deep Field”, an image of deep space that reveals thousands of galaxies filling a tiny field of view.  Basking in this image is a way of getting a visual sense of the shear enormity, richness, and possibilities of the universe.  

The findings of scientific exploration can truly inform and enrich the faith of one who believes in the God revealed in Scripture.

In talks you have emphasised the importance of having a sense of awe at God and his creation. King David famously wrote that “the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1, ESV). In what way do the Bible and astronomy relate in creating this sense of wonder?
I think modern astronomical discoveries can enrich the believer’s sense of God’s power, creativity, patience, faithfulness, and love of life. While science only evaluates directly the natural processes in the physical world, and shouldn’t be confused with philosophical or theological conclusions, the findings of scientific exploration can truly inform and enrich the faith of one who believes in the God revealed in Scripture. I’m most amazed at how the universe itself has evolved over billions of years from a burst of energy and inflation to an enormous web of dark matter and galaxies full of stars and planets, including at least one with life.   Beyond the science, through eyes of faith, this progression can sing of great purpose and beauty.  However, there are also difficult issues to confront, like suffering from natural causes on planet Earth, or the long-term future of the universe. 

Previously you have also been involved in research surrounding exoplanets (i.e. planets orbiting another star). Do you have any thoughts on the theological ramifications of future discoveries of (intelligent) life?    
It wouldn’t surprise me if the universe is filled with life, at least simple life. To me, that would be consistent with the God of Scripture, who loves life and has filled the Earth with an incredible, robust array of life capable of evolving along with changing environments. On the other hand, most planets we’ve detected so far seem as though they’d be rather hostile places for stable, advanced life. We still need to do a lot more studies of this. But theologically, for Christians the question always comes down to whether the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ on planet Earth would need to be repeated on other planets for other advanced life forms, and whether other life forms would need this kind of redemption.   I found out that, for reasons I find hard to imagine, theologians have been contemplating this question, with differing conclusions, for hundreds of years! All Christians can at least affirm, in any case, that all things are created “through Christ and for Christ” (Colossians 1:16). That would include alien worlds and any alien life, through the natural processes God has ordained.

In your opinion, what role should science play in the life of the church?
Since science and technology affect every area of our lives, I’d say that church should be a place where discussions involving science are welcomed, well-informed, and helpful.  Discoveries in astronomy, biology, and many fields of science can be integrated into congregational worship and praise.  Discussions of the implications of science and related ethical questions should be discussed in church classes and book study groups, by well-informed leaders.  Scientific knowledge and connections should inform and enrich church outreach including environmental stewardship efforts and ministries to aid health care and agriculture for the poor. And young people should be encouraged to consider scientific and technical careers as being a wonderful path of serving God.

Church should be a place where discussions involving science are welcomed, well-informed, and helpful

If you had a piece of advice for a Christian starting in science (or astronomy more specifically), what would your advice be?
Astronomy is exciting, with lots left to discover and learn! So we need more people interested in the field, including scientists, engineers, computer programmers, writers, teachers, and more. I’d advise young people to choose a wide variety of science and mathematics classes in school,  to find internships for a broad range of experiences during the university years, and also to find encouragement and fellowship with other Christians who are pursuing science-oriented lives and ministries. “Christians in Science” is a good place to start!

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About Dr Jennifer Wiseman

Dr. Jennifer Wiseman is an astronomer, author, and speaker.  She studies the process of star and planet formation in our galaxy using radio, optical, and infrared telescopes.    She is also interested in national science policy and public science engagement.  She received her B.S. in physics from MIT, discovering comet Wiseman-Skiff in 1987, and continued her studies at Harvard, earning a Ph.D. in astronomy in 1995.   Dr. Wiseman is a Fellow of the American Scientific Affiliation, a network of Christians in Science.   She has authored several essays addressing the relationship of astronomy and Christian faith, and frequently gives public talks on the excitement of scientific discovery. She grew up on an Arkansas farm enjoying late night stargazing walks with her parents and pets.  

About the Interviewer - Jelmer

​Jelmer Heeren is a master’s student in philosophy at the University of Amsterdam. He has previously completed a research traineeship at VU Amsterdam and a MA in Theology and Religious Studies at the Evangelical Theological Faculty in Leuven, Belgium. His research interests include the Christian social and cosmic imaginary, the philosophy of science, and the Lord’s Supper. He grew up just south of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.