History and science buffs will remember Robert Boyle, the father of chemistry. As a scientist, his name is applied to Boyle's law, a law of nature that explains the relationship between pressure and volume of a gas. This pivotal finding laid the foundation for many scientific developments. But Robert Boyle was more than just a scientist. He was also seen as a man of great faith in God and His Word. Throughout his life he was an avid reader of Scripture, and even helped fund the translation and dissemination of the Bible into various languages.

Robert Boyle was born on 25 January 1627, at Lismore Castle, County Wateford, Ireland, as the fourteenth son of the Count of Cork, one of the wealthiest in Great Britain. Despite their wealth, the noble family was known as pious Christians, who realised that all their wealth came from God alone. The piety of his parents played an important role in shaping the mindset of Boyle, who would later become a leading chemist in the 17th century.

As a young man, Robert was known as a genius. He was already fluent in Greek and Latin when he began studying at Eton & College at the age of eight. When he was 12 years old, he travelled to various countries in Europe to study the works of great scientists such as Galileo. As is known, Galileo embraced a new approach in science, namely, the experimental method. While most scientists at that time relied more on the thoughts or views of famous philosophers, rather than conducting experiments as the basis of their ideas.

Since his teens, Robert has given his entire life to serving God. Shortly after his father died, Robert returned to his parents' home. He was 18 years old. His father had left him a large sum of money, which left Robert with no shortage of money. So, Robert continued his interest in scientific experiments. He believed that being a scientist was also a form of service to God. He said, "Through the knowledge of His works, we will come to know Him more and more.

Participating in Scientific Meetings

In 1645, Boyle began attending meetings organised by scientists who advocated an experimental approach to the development of science. This group recognised objective observations as indispensable to scientific research. At first these meetings of scientists were known as the "Veiled University". However, King Charles II in 1663 officially recognised the existence of this group and gave it the name "Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge". At the suggestion of Boyle, the society established its motto, "Nothing is derived solely from authority." Much of the research of the time was hampered by old ideas that were not based on empirical observation.

Experiments in a Vacuum

In 1657, with the help of his brilliant assistant Robert Hooke, Boyle invented a new type of air pump with improved capabilities. With the vacuum created by this air pump, Boyle discovered some important results. He managed to prove Galileo Galilei's opinion that all objects will fall at the same speed in a vacuum because there is no air resistance. Boyle also proved that sound cannot be transmitted in a vacuum. Through further experiments, Boyle showed that air is necessary for respiration and combustion. Boyle also engineered a better thermometer using the concept of a vacuum.Recognising the important impact of the discoveries about air, Boyle began to pursue further experiments on gases.

At a fixed (unchanging) temperature, a gas's volume and pressure are inversely proportional to its pressure. For example, if the volume of a gas is pressed or compressed by half, the pressure produced by the gas will be doubled. This is called Boyle's Law.

From Boyle's gas experiments, it is known that gases are made up of tiny particles (called corpuscles by Boyle), which are suspended in a vacuum. If there is pressure, the corpuscles move closer to each other. In the first statement of atomic theory since antiquity, Boyle's idea of corpuscles forming corpuscles was a precursor to modern chemists' view of atoms combining to form molecules. Boyle expressed his ideas by recognising God as the Creator. He said, "We can understand that in the beginning God created particle bodies too small for us to see."

Boyle rejected the then widely accepted four-element theory, which held that all matter in the universe consisted of earth, air, fire and water. Instead, he proposed the theory that substances are composed of different elements that can only be recognised through experimentation. Boyle's theory in this respect was the precursor to the elemental theory of modern chemistry.

In Boyle's time, there was no clear distinction between true chemistry and alchemy. Alchemy at that time still involved aspects of chemistry, astrology, and shamanism. The alchemists' main goal was to find a way to turn basic elements such as iron into gold. Many alchemists gained wealth and prestige through their magical performances. They bitterly opposed Boyle, as he "turned alchemy into chemistry" through his "The Sceptical Chemist" published in 1661. This publication was a bold move because at that time most people still believed in alchemy.

In 1680, Boyle separated elemental phosphorus from urine, and considered it a new discovery. When he reported his findings, he found out that another scientist had made the same discovery five years earlier, but had kept it a secret. Although not the first to discover phosphorus, Boyle discovered many of the properties of phosphorus and was the first to invent the match.

Boyle was also instrumental in advancing the science of meteorology. He conducted air density experiments, and found that the weight of air changes with changes in air pressure. Boyle also showed that water increases in volume when frozen.Boyle also played an important role in advancing the science of meteorology.

Boyle was also the first scientist to distinguish acidic, basic and neutral substances by looking at the colour changes that occur when they are mixed with other substances. He introduced the use of litmus-like plant juice for this experiment. Modern scientists today still use this concept of Boyle's findings, by using other chemicals as acid-base indicators.

As a diligent figure, Boyle produced many findings in chemistry and physics. With his ingenious experimental methods, he re-examined and improved many other scientists' work. Of course, his greatest contribution to science was to help shift scientific thinking from the intellectual argumentation approach to the experimental approach, which is the basis of modern science. In his book, he advises scientists not to be arrogant or dogmatic and to be willing to admit mistakes, if the results of scientific experiments prove them wrong.

Boyle also encouraged the rapid reporting and dissemination of every scientific discovery. This way other scientists could criticise and build on the findings. During Boyle's time, many scientists often kept their findings to themselves and did not want to share their knowledge with fellow scientists. According to Boyle, this hindered the development of science.

Robert Boyle saw no conflict between science and his Christian faith. "Science and religion not only do not get along, they have a very close relationship," he said. In 1690 he wrote The Christian Virtuosoto show that studying nature is an important religious task. His writings on religion, including musings were published in 1655, under the title Occasional Reflections. 

Boyle's biographer J.H. Tiner wrote that,”in every reflection he wrote Robert always described a simple observation about nature and used it to explain a truth of the Christian faith.”

 

His observations of the wonder and order of the universe, as well as the amazing organisation of living things, convinced Boyle that there must be a Creator behind it all. Thus, he rejected the growing spirit of atheism among the scholars of his day. Boyle concluded that anyone who honestly uses his or her reasoning powers will inevitably believe in God.

However, Boyle did not consider that human reason was the only way to true enlightenment. He saw the need for a revelation from God. He said that this revelation was the Word of God, the Bible.

The spread of the Bible

Boyle is concerned that many people have little understanding of the teachings of the Bible and seem to have no solid basis for their religious beliefs. In his opinion, how could one's religious beliefs be based solely on what one's parents believed or where one was born? Boyle has a burning desire to help people deepen their biblical knowledge.

Boyle read the Bible diligently every day, even when it became difficult for him to read because his eyes and health were failing. He recognised the Bible as the true Word of God, and disagreed with ministers who made the Bible's truths mere figures of speech and did not accept them for what they were. Tiner writes, "Boyle learnt Hebrew and Aramaic in order to study the Old Testament in its original languages."

Growing up in a pious Christian family, Boyle had a strong faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. In his reflections he wrote that all the miraculous works of the Lord Jesus while on earth, the tribulations He had to endure, His death on the cross, resurrection and ascension into heaven strengthened mankind's belief that He is both God and man.

 

Amidst his many activities, Boyle had a great desire to proclaim the truth of God's word. He was entrusted with the leadership of a missionary organisation for the preaching of the gospel in New England. Boyle also supported missionary endeavours in India, Scotland and Wales. With his funds, Boyle helped finance the translation and transmission of the Bible into Irish. Later, he also supported the funding of the translation and transmission of the New Testament Scriptures into Turkish, Arabic and Malay.

Christian Scientists

Boyle was a gentle and peace-loving character. He never returned unreasonable criticism from his opponents, such as alchemists. Unlike most people born into noble and wealthy families, Boyle rejected the selfish lifestyle often adopted by lazy nobles. He was known as a compassionate figure, donating a lot to the poor and victims of natural disasters. As a humble man, he often refused worldly titles and honours. Boyle repeatedly refused the post of President of the Royal Society as well as the granting of knighthoods.

As a man concerned with the spread of the Bible, Boyle was once offered a high position in the church, which he also refused. He was convinced that his witness to the compatibility of faith and science would be more effective and tangible if he remained a layman and scientist.

 

Robert Boyle never married. He died in London on 30 December 1691 at the age of 64. In one of his wills, he provided funds for the organisation of a series of lectures. “Boyle's lectures” were not on scientific matters, but rather on the formation and defence of the Christian faith. Through these lectures, Boyle, although deceased, wanted to continue his message in the midst of the Enlightenment that doubted the Christian faith, that faith and science did not have to be opposed and hostile. These apologetics lectures continue to be held today, centuries after Boyle's death.