by Lucky Dionne M-J
Beyond Science: The Search for a Deeper Truth in the Heart of Europe
A few days ago, we engaged in streetwise evangelism in Zurich, Switzerland, sharing the gospel and handing out tracts in the bustling heart of the city. It was an eye-opening experience, revealing not only the spiritual state of the people but also how much European society has shifted away from God. Many people refused to engage in conversations about faith, while a significant number declared that they didn’t believe in God but rather placed their trust in science. It was a stark reminder of how materialistic and secularized the modern world has become, especially in nations whose forefathers once championed the cause of the gospel.
A World That’s Lost Its Spiritual Compass
Europe, once a stronghold of Christianity, now finds itself in a spiritual drought. Historically, this continent sent missionaries across the globe, igniting revivals and spreading the message of salvation. Yet today, many in these same lands are detached from the very message that shaped their culture, institutions, and values. This detachment is not just indifference; it’s often a full embrace of materialism and an active denial of the spiritual truths that formed the foundation of modern society.
The responses we encountered on the streets of Zurich underscored this reality. People refused to engage because the idea of God seemed outdated or irrelevant. In their minds, science had replaced faith, and anything that could not be empirically tested or observed was dismissed. Yet, this perspective presents a contradiction when you look at the very nature of existence.
Science vs. Spiritual Truth: An Unnecessary Divide
The Bible teaches that “the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3). In other words, the material world was created by an unseen God, a reality beyond the physical that can only be understood through faith. Ironically, science itself is based on observing unseen forces and processes. At the most fundamental level, our universe is shaped by things like gravity, electromagnetism, and atomic forces—none of which can be directly seen, yet their effects are undeniable. And just as our thoughts, imaginations, and emotions come from an unseen part of our being, so does the origin of the material world stem from the invisible Creator.
But what is science? Science, in its essence, is the systematic study of the natural world, using observation, experimentation, and reasoning to understand how things work. It has brought about immense technological advancement, improving living standards and creating conveniences that previous generations could only dream of. The achievements of science are undeniable, and we benefit from them daily.
Yet, science cannot answer the most fundamental questions of human existence: Why are we here? What is our purpose? How do we resolve the brokenness in the human soul? Science is a tool that explains the “how” of the universe, but it can never address the “why.” It describes how things work but is powerless in answering why we exist or what happens after this life.
The Failure of Materialism to Address Human Nature
As I walked the streets of Zurich, one thing became clear—science and technology have done a remarkable job at managing society. In Switzerland, for instance, cameras are everywhere, ensuring that crime is kept under control. The fear of being caught on camera deters most people from committing crimes, making the streets seem safe and orderly. But this technological surveillance cannot change the heart. The fear of punishment may keep people from stealing or lying, but it does nothing to deal with the root of the issue: the sinful nature of man.
When I spoke to my host about this, I shared something critical. I told him that I cannot steal or commit any illicit act, not because I am afraid of the cameras or worried about being caught, but because I am a child of God. There is a principle of life within me—received through faith in Jesus—that prevents me from sinning. This principle is called the gift of righteousness, an inner transformation that changes the heart rather than merely controlling outward behavior.
In contrast, the average person in this society refrains from wrongdoing out of fear—fear of the consequences, fear of the law, or fear of being caught. But that fear does not resolve the tendency or the desire to sin. This is the great limitation of a materialistic worldview: it can only address surface-level problems, but it cannot transform the inner man. It leaves the deeper issues of sin, brokenness, and the human soul unresolved.
The Gift of Righteousness: A Solution Beyond Science
Science, for all its power and utility, cannot heal the soul. It cannot restore a person to righteousness or bring peace to a troubled heart. Only faith in Jesus Christ can do that. Through faith, we receive the gift of righteousness, a new nature that doesn’t just avoid sin out of fear but abhors sin because it is contrary to the life of God within us.
This is the heart of the message we brought to Zurich, and to the people in France, and continue to preach wherever we go. The world, especially in technologically advanced societies, is full of people who are materially comfortable but spiritually empty. They have been taught that science holds all the answers, yet they still wrestle with the deep, unresolved questions of life. The good news of the gospel offers what science cannot: a relationship with the living God, peace for the soul, and transformation that starts from within.
Conclusion: Reawakening to God in a Material World
Our experience in Zurich was a powerful reminder that Europe needs a spiritual awakening. While science and technology have advanced society, they cannot replace the deep need for God that lies within every human being. The material world is not all there is, and no amount of scientific knowledge can satisfy the soul’s longing for truth, purpose, and meaning.
We continue to pray for Europe, for a reawakening to the truth that the God who created the universe is the same God who loves each person deeply and desires a relationship with them. It is not enough to live by sight; we must also live by faith, for the unseen realm is just as real as the world we can see. As we continue to share the gospel, we are confident that God will draw many back to Himself, even in the most advanced, secular societies.
The world may change, but the message of the gospel remains the same: Jesus Christ is the only hope for a broken and lost humanity.
