In the movie Rabbit Hole[1], Becca (Nicole Kidman) is mourning the death of her four year old son. While searching for answers we find her in a discussion with Jason (Miles Teller), the 16 year-old boy that accidentally ran over her son while driving home from school.  Becca is searching for answers that will bring hope, peace and an end to mourning. She and Jason continue a previous discussion regarding the existence of a parallel universe or alternate reality where her happy and healthy son may exist. The conversation goes as follows:

BECCA:
Do you think they’re real?

JASON:
Parallel universes? I think it’s basic science. If space is infinite, then
everything is possible.

BECCA:
So somewhere out there, there’s a version of me — what? – making pancakes?

JASON:
Sure.

BECCA:
Or at a water park.

JASON:
Wherever, yeah. Both. Laws of probability. There are tons of you’s out there,
and tons of me’s.

BECCA:
So this is just the sad version of us.

JASON:
I guess.

BECCA:
But there are other versions where everything goes our way.

JASON:
Assuming you believe in science.

BECCA:
Well that’s a nice thought. That somewhere out there I’m having a good time.

Although there are numerous problems with this conversation, I want to zero in on the comment Jason makes, “Assuming you believe in science.”

What is science?  Or, in this case, who is science?  Science is only the name that has been assigned to a concept.  One of the numerous Webster’s definitions defines this concept as, “3 a: knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method[2].

As Christians, we know science is the study of the attributes of God found in His general revelation.  Romans 1:20 tells us, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…”  The concept of science was “born” out of Christianity. Christians in the pursuit of knowledge about their Creator invented science and the scientific method. In the conversation above, science is discussed as though it were some kind of cosmic force with a mind and a will.  Somewhere out there I’m really happy if I believe in science?

Today, along with changing definitions of science, we also find concrete attributes assigned to science. For example, it’s very common to hear an assertion that begins with the phrase, “science tells us…”  Science does not tell us anything.  Science is not a
person or a cosmic force.  Science cannot speak and cannot tell us anything.
According to Dr. Jason Lile’s book, Discerning Truth[3], assigning concrete attributes to science is a logical fallacy known as reification.  Reification is perfectly acceptable in everyday speech or in poetical language.  We find examples of reification in God’s
Word.  Reification, however, is not acceptable in logical discussions or debates regarding observational or historical science. We know, of course, that scientists look at scientific
evidence and draw conclusions.  It is the scientist who tells us; not science.

I find the conversation above heartbreaking.  I know there are people everywhere searching  for answers to human suffering.  Satan, the liar, provides counterfeit beliefs to deceive people and keep them from God.  The idea that we are already in a better place is not new to Christians. Ephesians 2:4-7 tells us, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His  great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Someone needs to share the good news of Jesus Christ with Becca.  If only she knew that salvation raises us up together with Christ and gives us a hope and a future she might
find real peace.  So we are already sitting in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus?

Well that’s really a nice thought!