A Survey of Science/Theology Paradigms among Students at a College in the Young-Earth or Old-Earth Creationist Tradition

Abstract

I report and analyze the administration of a survey investigating students' beliefs about the relationship between science and theology at a college in the young-earth or old-earth creationist tradition. Using a previously established survey, science-theology paradigms were identified. With 221 responses, there was enough statistical power to identify some links between the science-theology paradigms and other beliefs in areas of epistemology of science, theology, and preferred model of creation or evolution. Results showed that these paradigms are often interconnected, not allowing for tidy classifications of students' beliefs about faith and science. Results suggest that students who are more religious and know more science are more likely to match with at least one science-theology paradigm. And, those with more constructivist epistemological views on the nature of science are more likely to view science and Christian faith in harmony.