Dr. Sy Garte was an atheist scientist who believed that science held all the answers to every question. But, as his scientific knowledge grew, he started asking inconvenient questions that eventually led him to Jesus. Little did he know that the Holy Spirit had been calling him until a supernatural encounter opened his eyes to the Truth.
Atheist Scientist
Dr. Garte grew up in a family with a deep-rooted atheist and communist worldview. He described it as “not just atheism, but anti-Christian.” They believed that God was an impossible existence. And so, Garte lived most of his life as an unbelieving atheist.
But, his love for science and reason paved the way to open questions about humanity and life. He started wondering, “Where did the universe come from? How did life begin? What does it mean to be a human being? What is the source of our creativity?” He finally concluded that science could not explain everything.
Garte met a friend who invited him to a church service. And contrary to what he expected, he was surprised to listen to a preacher who talked about love. He thought that Christians give thundering condemnation of sins and suspicious looks. Instead, people inside the church shook his hand and wished him peace.
Garte decided to open the Bible and read the Gospels from then on. He reviewed the teachings of Jesus, and all of them rang true to his heart. Especially the Book of Acts impressed him as a factual history and not just a make-believe narrative.
Holy Spirit on the move
And yet, being an atheist scientist made Garte hesitant to believe in Jesus for several years fully. So, Holy Spirit initiated to make the final move.
On his long drive to Pennsylvania, Garte turned on the radio, and a voice of an evangelical preacher was on it. He confessed that the preacher was the kind he used to mock and avoid. But, this time, he was so good that Garte listened for a few minutes before turning the radio off.
As he drove in silence, he pondered the idea of him preaching, too. He wanted to share that if there was a God, He might use science as a tool to create the world. Then, something extraordinary happened.
He could literally see himself preaching with a large audience in an outdoor stadium. The experience continued as he only listened to his words of encouragement. He talked about how Jesus loves him and that the power of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross brings salvation. God’s love is more powerful than any sins.
Garte was dumbfounded. All the concepts he shared in his vision were unfamiliar. He shared, “the only explanation I could fathom was that the Holy Spirit had entered into my life in dramatic fashion.”
As he realized what he went through, he could only say in between his sobs, “Thank You, Lord. I believe, and I am saved. Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ.”
Today, Dr. Sy Garte is a biochemist who believes that science only describes how things are and can’t explain why things exist. He is the vice-president of the American Scientific affiliation, the largest organization of Christians in the sciences, in the Washington DC chapter. And he uses his knowledge and love for science to point people to Christ.
Reference: Christianity Today
