Do Any Real Astronomers Believe in God?

This article has also been printed in brochure/tract form and can be purchased from the 4th Day Alliance.

Aren't All Astronomers Atheists?
It is commonly believed that nearly all astronomers reject the notion that God has created the universe. This false idea has caused many to assume that rejecting God is an intellectually superior position, because they think that all highly educated astronomers have discovered scientifically that the universe came into being without God.

These ideas are all false. The truth is that science has only confirmed what the Bible has always stated, and that most of the great achievements in science have been made by scientists who believed in God!


Johannes Kepler - Discoverer of the 3 Laws of Planetary Motion
Johannes Kepler lived from 1571-1630. He was a brilliant German astronomer who made many incredible discoveries. He discovered the 3 laws of Planetary Motion which are still named after him. He also determined that the tides were caused by the moon and that parallax can determine star distances.

He literally believed that his scientific pursuits were a mission from God. In his book, the Harmonies of the World, he wrote the following conclusion in prayer to God:

“…I give thanks to thee, O Lord Creator, who has delighted me with Thy makings and in the works of thy hands have I found joy. I have used the mental talents you have given me, and I have now completed the work to which you have called me. I have revealed the glory of your works to those who will read my explanations, at least that part of your infinite riches which my limited mind could grasp…finally, allow that these demonstrations give way to Thy glory and the salvation of souls and nowhere be an obstacle to that.”


Sir Isaac Newton - Discover of the Laws of Gravity and Motion
Sir Isaac Newton is one of the most famous scientists of all time. He was strongly motivated by his Biblical beliefs. In fact, he felt he was personally involved in fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel 12:4 “Many shall go to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” History shows that Newton actually wrote more about theology than he did about science.

He was a co-inventor of calculus, the discoverer of the law of universal gravitation and the three laws of motion. He also invented the reflecting telescope and is the author of the most important book of the scientific revolution (the Principia Mathematica).

Newton considered the Lord Jesus Christ the Savior of the world, and also trusted and believed in miracles as expressed in the Bible. He wrote strong papers refuting atheism and defending creation and the Bible. In Newton’s own words, “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.”

In explanation to the many incredible discoveries and advancements that were made by Newton during the course of his career, Newton had this to say, “All my discoveries have been made in an answer to prayer.”


Wernher Von Braun - The Man Who Put Americans on the Moon
Dr. Von Braun is well known as one of the greatest scientific minds of the 20th century. An account of Wernher Von Braun’s career is essentially the history of the American space program. His accomplishments are legendary. Von Braun was the head of the NASA rocket program that eventually landed man on the moon.

Dr. Von Braun was also an active creationist who over the years wrote quite actively about his faith and gave speeches about it on a regular basis. Additionally, Von Braun was an open supporter of biblical creation and frequently expressed his views in support of creation and in opposition to darwinian evolution.

In one widely publicized newspaper article, Von Braun stated the following: “Although I know of no reference to Christ ever commenting on scientific work, I do know that He said, ‘Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ Thus I am certain that, were He among us today, Christ would encourage scientific research as modern man’s most noble striving to comprehend and admire His Father’s handiwork. The universe as revealed through scientific inquiry is the living witness that God has indeed been at work.”


Astronaut James Irwin
Colonel James Irwin is one of the few men in history who has actually walked on the surface of the moon. This opportunity was afforded to only a few men whose experience, intelligence, and abilities were exemplary. In all areas, Jim Irwin was qualified.

Jim considered his trip to the moon and back a spiritual journey. He stated in his book, Destination Moon, “As we reached out in a physical way to the heavens, I was moved spiritually. Flying into space, I had a new sense of who I was as a man created in the image of God…” He considered his selection into the Apollo program to be according to divine providence, “The Lord wanted me to go to the moon so I could come back and do something more important with my life…”

Jim believed that his trip to the moon was the opportunity that God gave him to spread the word about the Creator. “I tell people that God has a plan for them. I say that if God controls the universe with such infinite precision, controlling all the motion of the planets and the stars, this is the working out of a perfect plan for outer space. I believe that He has the perfect plan for the inner space of man, the spirit of man. This plan was manifest when He sent his son Jesus Christ to die for us, to forgive our sins, and to show that he has a plan for our lives.”

There are many more scientists both now and in history who believe in God and give him all of the glory for their scientific discoveries. Click on the following links to learn about them:

Modern Day Creation Astronomers
Creation Astronomers in History
Creationists in the Apollo Program