Scientifically Religious

Adrien Chauvet was born and raised in France, in a small village of Soultz-les-Bains. He was educated in a society in which science prevailed over all other forms of knowledge. Accordingly, he began his intellectual journey studying the natural sciences at Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, France. At the age of 21, he travelled to the United States to pursue his studies, convinced that science was the ultimate way of knowing the world. He obtained his Doctor in Philosophy in Physics from Purdue University. During his studies, Adrien had the opportunity to interact with American Muslims communities. The Islam he discovered not only resonated with his Christian upbringing, but also appeared to coincide with his scientific view of the world. Adrien embraced Islam at the age of 24. He then progressed in his scientific career, while seeking to refine the convergence of science and Islam. This book recounts Adrien’s journey of bringing together science and faith. 

Introduction 5

I. The first steps in my spiritual quest 8

1. Looking beyond materiality. 8

2. Being aware of the circles of influence. 8

3. Realizing that trust is necessary. 9

4. Making rational choices. 10

5. Walking with harmony. 10

6. Chapter summary 10

II. Re-evaluating faith in science 12

1. The fringes of our perception 12

a) At the frontiers of the extreme 12

b) Subjective interpretation of objective results 12

c) Uncertainty principle 13

d) Section summary 13

2. Advancing despite our restrictions 14

a) Fluctuation and statistical averages 14

b) Weather forecast 14

c) The wavefunction 14

d) Section summary 15

3. Believing in the unseen. 15

a) The electron 15

b) Electromagnetic waves 15

c) Forces 16

d) Section summary 16

4. Natural argument 16

a) Complexification of life. 17

b) Unique living conditions 18

c) Photosynthesis at the origin of life 19

d) Section summary 21

5. Chapter summary 21

III. The Islamic theory 23

1. Establishment of a scientific theory 23

a) Origin 23

b) Relevance .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24

c) Utility .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24

d) Section summary ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25

2. Origin of the Islamic message ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 25

a) A historical account ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26

b) An honest, selfless and persistent man. .................................................................................................................................................... 27

c) Section summary ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 28

3. Material relevance of the Islamic texts .............................................................................................................................................................. 29

a) Between natural phenomena and Divine will .................................................................................................................................. 29

b) Nature, as described in the Qur'an .................................................................................................................................................................... 33

c) Events that defy the scientific mind. ............................................................................................................................................................ 44

d) A world view that is all encompassing ...................................................................................................................................................... 48

e) Section summary ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 49

4. Internal logic of the Islamic theory. ........................................................................................................................................................................ 50

a) Notions of free will and determinism. ........................................................................................................................................................ 50

b) Notions of good and evil ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 55

c) Notions of success and failure ................................................................................................................................................................................ 57

d) Section summary ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 59

5. A useful religion .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 59

a) Positivity ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 60

b) Agentivity .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 60

c) Efficiency .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 61

d) Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 62

6. Chapter summary................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 63

IV. Limits and dangers of a purely rational thought .................................................................................................................................. 64

1. Mathematics and programming as divine languages. .................................................................................................................. 64

2. At the edges of rationality: experiencing the Divine .................................................................................................................... 65

3. The use of imagination .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 66

4. Chapter summary................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 67

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 68

Appendix: Evolution .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 69

i. Supporting evidences for the theory of evolution ...................................................................................................................... 69

ii. An incomplete, thus simplistic theory. ........................................................................................................................................................ 69

iii. A theory that is evolving. ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 71

iv. What the Qur’an says .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 72

v. Concordance with the hadîths. .............................................................................................................................................................................. 78

vi. Ending notes. .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 81