Perhaps the greatest scientist of all time, Sir Isaac Newton, had humble beginnings being born on a farm in England in 1642. He was born prematurely and almost didn’t survive infancy. Newton was just an ordinary student in school but he proved to be the ultimate late-bloomer.
When all was said and done his discoveries are now legendary. Just one of his contributions to the world of science would have established Newton as a great scientist but the accumulation of his efforts leaves one breathless. According to Henry Morris: “Isaac Newton is famous for, among other things, his discovery of the law of universal gravitation, the formulation of the three laws of motion which make possible the discipline of dynamics and all its sub-divisions, and his development of the calculus into a comprehensive branch of mathematics, now a basic tool in every science. He anticipated the great law of energy conservation, developed the particle theory of light propagation, and as an astronomer constructed the first reflecting telescope.”1
As amazing as this may seem Newton devoted more of his time to studying the Bible and theology than to science and mathematics. His stepfather was a minister and Newton could often be found reading from his large library of religious texts. In addition, almost all of his fellow students and teachers from grammar school through college were impressed with Newton’s knowledge of the Bible.
In 1687, Newton published his landmark book, Principia Mathematica, which established his reputation as one of the greatest minds of all time. Newton believed that scientific investigation leads to a greater knowledge of God the Creator of the universe. Newton saw the hand of God at work in the universe and while investigating the movement of the planets, he wrote in Principia Mathematica: “This most beautiful System of the Sun, Planets and Comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.”2
Throughout his scientific career Newton always seemed to be dealing with the collision course of ideas stemming from the intersection of politics, religion, and science. According to Ann Lamont: “Isaac Newton’s times of hardship and struggle throughout his lifetime did not produce bitterness. Instead, Newton’s own words show that this brought him closer to God. ‘Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise physician gives because we need them; and the proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires. Let us trust his skill and thank him for the prescription.’”3
While there is little doubt that Newton loved the Lord some recent discoveries of his religious beliefs show that some of his doctrines are troubling. By some accounts Newton rejected the Trinity. However, Newton in general was committed to most of the teachings of the Bible. Newton once wrote: “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.”4 In addition, Morris writes: “He wrote strong papers refuting atheism and defending creation and the Bible. He believed that the worldwide Flood of the Bible accounted for most of the geological phenomena, and he believed in the literal six-day creation record.”5
In closing, Newton was once quoted as saying one of my favorite quotes on the Bible by any scientist: “We account the Scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatsoever.”6
1 Henry M. Morris, Men of Science: Men of God (El Cajon, California: Master Books, 1988), p. 23.
2 John Hudson Tiner, For Those Who Dare (Green Forest, Arkansas: Master Books, Inc. 2002), p. 85.
3 Great Creation Scientists: Sir Isaac Newton (1642/3–1727) | Answers in Genesis
4 Great Creation Scientists: Sir Isaac Newton (1642/3–1727) | Answers in Genesis
5 Henry M. Morris, Men of Science: Men of God (El Cajon, California: Master Books, 1988), p. 26.
6 Henry M. Morris, Men of Science: Men of God (El Cajon, California: Master Books, 1988), p. 26.
A review article of the biography of Isaac Newton by Mitch Stokes:
Isaac Newton, the man behind the atomic theory.
As an inventor, astronomer, physicist, and philosopher, Isaac Newton forever changed the way we see and understand the world. At one point, he was the world’s leading authority in mathematics, optics, and alchemy. And surprisingly he wrote more about faith and religion than on all of these subjects combined. But his single-minded focus on knowledge and discovery was a great detriment to his health. Newton suffered from fits of mania, insomnia, depression, a nervous breakdown, and even mercury poisoning.
Yet from all of his suffering came great gain. Newton saw the scientific world not as a way to refute theology, but as a way to explain it. He believed that all of creation was mandated and set in motion by God and that it was simply waiting to be “discovered” by man. Because of his diligence in both scientific and biblical study, Newton had a tremendous impact on religious thought that is still evident today.