Kenneth R. Miller (1948-) is an American cell biologist and a prominent figure in the public defence of evolution. He is best known for his research on the structure and function of cell membranes. Miller co-authored Biology, a widely used high school and college biology textbook. He has been an outspoken critic of the intelligent design movement and has testified in high-profile court cases, such as the 2005 Dover trial, where he argued against the teaching of intelligent design in public schools. Currently he is Professor of Biology at Brown University. He is a recipient of the Public Understanding of Science and Technology Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Miller is a devout Catholic who has spent much of his career addressing the relationship between science and religion. He says, “For those who see God as the creator of a rational universe, science is simply a way of uncovering the secrets of that creation.” Miller argues that science explains the natural world through evidence-based inquiry, while religion addresses questions of meaning, purpose, and morality. According to him, “The conflict between science and religion is not one of facts, but of interpretations. Both ask big questions, but science tries to answer ‘how’ while religion asks ‘why.’”
One of Miller’s key contributions to the science-religion dialogue is his defence of evolutionary theory from a religious perspective. In his book, Finding Darwin’s God, Miller challenges the notion that evolution undermines belief in God. He argues that evolution is a natural process created by God and understanding it can deepen one’s appreciation of the divine. For Miller, the complexity and beauty of life, as revealed by evolutionary biology, are expressions of God’s creative power.
Miller is also a vocal critic of the intelligent design movement, which he views as a threat to both science and religion. He believes that intelligent design, which posits that certain features of life are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than natural selection, is scientifically flawed and religiously problematic. According to Miller, intelligent design diminishes the greatness of God by implying that divine intervention is needed to “fix” or “tweak” the natural processes that God designed. He says, “The problem with intelligent design is that it doesn’t expand our understanding; it diminishes it. It gives up on explaining the complexity of life and attributes it to a divine tinkerer.” “I believe in a God who is so wise and so powerful that He doesn’t have to intervene constantly to correct what He got wrong.”
Miller’s views reflect a broader perspective known as theistic evolution, which holds that God uses evolution as a means of creation. This view allows for a harmonious relationship between science and faith. In his own words: “The most remarkable aspect of nature is its order, … that order suggests a divine presence.”
