Einstein said of Michael Faraday “that he, of all people, had made the greatest change in our conception of reality.” He was one of the most famous scientists of his time.
Faraday lived from 1791 to 1867 and discovered many of the fundamental laws of physics and chemistry. He discovered electromagnetic induction and the laws of electrochemistry, and invented the first dynamo, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. He isolated benzene as a fundamental component of organic chemistry. Throughout his career, he lectured at the Royal Society. His lectures on the latest scientific discoveries were very popular. He was well known for being able to explain complex scientific ideas to Victorians hungry for the latest scientific knowledge.
Faraday was an elder in his church, a member of Sandemanians. He believed in the literal interpretation of Scripture, and believed that the uniformity of God’s creation made scientific inquiry possible. He believed that the revelation of nature pointed to the Creator, and the revelation of Scripture pointed to the Savior. He was actively engaged in church activities.
Faraday’s peace and security was not in his worldly fame but in the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1861 Faraday wrote to a scientist friend: Since peace is alone in the gift of God; and as it is He who gives it, why should we be afraid? His unspeakable gift in His beloved Son is the ground of no doubtful hope.