1967 Geloof en Wetenschap : Orgaan van de Christelijke vereeniging van natuur- en geneeskundigen in Nederland - pagina 88

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WILLEM KUYK

The „fourth man' and the scientist We live, whether or not we are conscious of it, in what is often referred to as „the post-christian era". The main „inhabitant" of this era is the so called „fourth man". We know this man very well. Everyone of us at some occasion has seen a traditional churchman turn into a „fourth man", from one day to another. He is our constant companion, even when we dwell perpetually among men of the same Christian persuasion. He is in our heart. He is the opposite of the prophet, as far as the future of the world and his own situation are concerned, because though constantly dissatisfied with the existing situation, he subjects himself habitually to the tyranny of that situation, to what is dictated by habit and custom. The one answer to some problem is for him as good as any other answer. He is a „rebellious conformist" i) who has lost his sense of direction. The reality of war, the failure of ideologies have made of him a man who is only assured of the fact that nothing is sure and, therefore, that one could better refrain from any consistent attempt to constitute the future. He is to be found inside and outside of the Church. Then there are also the scientists, who, though less in number, than along with the fourth man form the greater part of the world A.D. 1967. The scientist is with us every day, as we enjoy the benefit of his applied techniques. He is not a conformist, but a revolutionary, because he may reasonably expect that through his labours mankind shall experience a renaissance. The one thing he is sure of is that the results of his immediate research will contribute to a better life, to better living conditions for himself and for others. He readily recognizes that human failure and frustration are the cause of much misery. However, he has an indestructible faith in the unlimited resources that can be created by science, free from any prejudice as to the nature of man, or for that matter, as to who he is himself. Scientists can be found outside the Church and once in a while also inside the Church. From these facts, there is ample reason to ask whether on the part of churchmen there is sufficient effort made to provide that prophetical and evangelical perspective in order that the message of Christ may get through to the world of today and tomorrow. In other words, there is ample reason to ask whether the Christian

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