Science Fiction or Science Fact: Theism as the Foundation for Modern Science.

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Science Fiction or Science Fact Science Fiction or Science Fact : : Theism as the Foundation for Theism as the Foundation for Modern Science Modern Science

Transcript of Science Fiction or Science Fact: Theism as the Foundation for Modern Science.

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Science Fiction or Science FactScience Fiction or Science Fact: : Theism as the Foundation for Modern ScienceTheism as the Foundation for Modern Science

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Science Fiction or Science Fact?Science Fiction or Science Fact?

Modern MythologyModern Mythology

What is Theism?What is Theism?

Where Did Science Come From?Where Did Science Come From?

Integrating the TruthIntegrating the Truth

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Modern MythologyModern Mythology

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Galileo GalileiGalileo Galilei

Galileo challenged the earth-centered Galileo challenged the earth-centered cosmology of the day.cosmology of the day.

The Church believed Galileo was in error and The Church believed Galileo was in error and contradicted the teaching of Scripture.contradicted the teaching of Scripture.

Galileo was placed under house arrest by the Galileo was placed under house arrest by the Church.Church.

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Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus

Columbus sought a trade route to the Indies by Columbus sought a trade route to the Indies by sailing west rather than by the Cape of Good sailing west rather than by the Cape of Good Hope.Hope.

Everyone but the enlightened few believed the Everyone but the enlightened few believed the world was flat.world was flat.

The leaders of the Church and intellectuals of the The leaders of the Church and intellectuals of the day warned that he would fall off the edge of the day warned that he would fall off the edge of the world or be destroyed by dragons.world or be destroyed by dragons.

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Church and Science in ConflictChurch and Science in Conflict

Science and religion are at odds with each otherScience and religion are at odds with each other When the church got out of the way, this was When the church got out of the way, this was

when science flourished.when science flourished. Science is rational and naturalisticScience is rational and naturalistic Faith is subjective (even irrational) and Faith is subjective (even irrational) and

superstitious.superstitious. Is this how it really went?Is this how it really went?

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Re-writing HistoryRe-writing History

The conflict thesis is recent in originThe conflict thesis is recent in origin Andrew Dickson White - “A History of the Andrew Dickson White - “A History of the

Warfare of Science With Theology in Warfare of Science With Theology in Christendom” (1898)Christendom” (1898)

Most historians of science have repudiated itMost historians of science have repudiated it The dominant view among historians is the The dominant view among historians is the

compatibility of science with religioncompatibility of science with religion

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Galileo MythGalileo Myth

Galileo was not battling the ChurchGalileo was not battling the Church Galileo was cantankerous, and a difficult personGalileo was cantankerous, and a difficult person Galileo was battling Aristotle (lack of empiricism)Galileo was battling Aristotle (lack of empiricism) Thomas Aquinas wed Aristotle with theologyThomas Aquinas wed Aristotle with theology Ptolemy’s cosmology was wrong (geocentric)Ptolemy’s cosmology was wrong (geocentric) Rejecting Ptolemy was equivalent to rejecting the Rejecting Ptolemy was equivalent to rejecting the

ChurchChurch

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Aristotlean ScienceAristotlean Science Define a matterDefine a matter Consider the difficulties involved by Consider the difficulties involved by

reviewing generally accepted views on the reviewing generally accepted views on the subject and suggestions of earlier writerssubject and suggestions of earlier writers

Present your own arguments and solutionsPresent your own arguments and solutions

Note the lack of experiments required in this framework

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Flat Earth MythFlat Earth Myth

Only the ignorant since Archimedes believed Only the ignorant since Archimedes believed the Earth was flat.the Earth was flat.

The popular astronomy text of the day was The popular astronomy text of the day was “Sphere” written by John of Sacrobosco“Sphere” written by John of Sacrobosco

Columbus had miscalculated the distance to the Columbus had miscalculated the distance to the Orient.Orient.

Isaiah 40:22 It is He that sits upon the circle Isaiah 40:22 It is He that sits upon the circle (sphere) of the earth….(written 800 BC)(sphere) of the earth….(written 800 BC)

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Recovering the Origins of ScienceRecovering the Origins of Science

The history of science shows that theism is The history of science shows that theism is primarily responsible for the rise of primarily responsible for the rise of experimental science.experimental science.

Science is clouded in modern mythologyScience is clouded in modern mythology

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Recovering the Origins of ScienceRecovering the Origins of Science

Scientists are reclaiming the theistic history of Scientists are reclaiming the theistic history of sciencescience ““Science and Christianity: Conflict or Coherence?” - Science and Christianity: Conflict or Coherence?” -

Henry F. Schaefer (2003)Henry F. Schaefer (2003) ““Modern Physics and Ancient Faith” - Stephen Barr Modern Physics and Ancient Faith” - Stephen Barr

(2003)(2003) ““For the Glory of God: How Monotheism Lead to For the Glory of God: How Monotheism Lead to

Reformations, Science, Witch-Hunts, and the End of Reformations, Science, Witch-Hunts, and the End of Slavery” - Rodney Stark (2003)Slavery” - Rodney Stark (2003)

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What is Theism?What is Theism?

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Theism is a WorldviewTheism is a Worldview

Everyone has a worldview.Everyone has a worldview. It is the way you look at the world It is the way you look at the world

(weltanschauung).(weltanschauung). A philosophical framework for filtering and A philosophical framework for filtering and

categorizing data and experiences.categorizing data and experiences. Defines the nature of reality according to that Defines the nature of reality according to that

person.person. First principles.First principles.

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Three Basic WorldviewsThree Basic Worldviews

TheismTheism

NaturalismNaturalism

TranscendentalismTranscendentalism

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TheismTheism

There is a GodThere is a God

There is natureThere is nature

The two are separate The two are separate and distinct, and both and distinct, and both are realare real

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NaturalismNaturalism

There is no GodThere is no God

There is only natureThere is only nature

God is an illusionGod is an illusion

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TranscendentalismTranscendentalism

There is only GodThere is only God

There is no natureThere is no nature

Nature is an illusionNature is an illusion

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Grand Metaphysical StoriesGrand Metaphysical Stories

TheismTheism Creation - God made nature out of nothingCreation - God made nature out of nothing

NaturalismNaturalism Evolution - Nature made itself out of nothingEvolution - Nature made itself out of nothing

TranscendentalismTranscendentalism Reincarnation - God made nothing - nature is an Reincarnation - God made nothing - nature is an

illusion - all are part of Godillusion - all are part of God

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Where Did Science Come From?Where Did Science Come From?

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Law of Causality (Cause-Effect)Law of Causality (Cause-Effect)

An effect cannot be quantitatively greater than An effect cannot be quantitatively greater than its causeits cause

An effect cannot be qualitatively superior to its An effect cannot be qualitatively superior to its causecause

1st

ca 1st

Cause

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Cause-Effect ConstraintsCause-Effect Constraints The first cause of limitless space is infiniteThe first cause of limitless space is infinite The first cause of endless time is eternalThe first cause of endless time is eternal The first cause of boundless energy is omnipotentThe first cause of boundless energy is omnipotent The first cause of infinite complexity is omniscientThe first cause of infinite complexity is omniscient The first cause of love is lovingThe first cause of love is loving The first cause of life is livingThe first cause of life is living

Causality Law’s ConclusionCausality Law’s Conclusion: The First Cause of the Universe must be : The First Cause of the Universe must be an infinite, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, personal, volitional, holy, an infinite, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, personal, volitional, holy, loving, living beingloving, living being

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What Culture Founded Science?What Culture Founded Science?

China?China?

Chinese intellectuals pursued enlightenment not Chinese intellectuals pursued enlightenment not explanation.explanation.

Taoism conceived the universe as chaotic without Taoism conceived the universe as chaotic without natural laws. The universe simply is and always was.natural laws. The universe simply is and always was.

No motivation for scienceNo motivation for science Some technology, but no scientific traditionSome technology, but no scientific tradition

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What Culture Founded Science?What Culture Founded Science?

Greece?Greece? Some Greeks were careful observers of natureSome Greeks were careful observers of nature

Archimedes, Aristotle, EuclidArchimedes, Aristotle, Euclid Greek philosophers, while usually not firm Greek philosophers, while usually not firm

believers in the gods, were influenced by the believers in the gods, were influenced by the general Greek worldviewgeneral Greek worldview

Greek gods could not account for a lawful universe.Greek gods could not account for a lawful universe. The universe is eternal undergoing a repeated cycle The universe is eternal undergoing a repeated cycle

of progress and decayof progress and decay

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What Culture Founded Science?What Culture Founded Science?

Inanimate objects transformed into living creatures Inanimate objects transformed into living creatures with aims, emotions, and desires. This squelched the with aims, emotions, and desires. This squelched the pursuit of physical explanations in favor of pursuit of physical explanations in favor of mysticism.mysticism.

Deduction not experiment produced final knowledgeDeduction not experiment produced final knowledge Aristotelian method - induction of principles from Aristotelian method - induction of principles from

phenomenon, then deduction of explanations from phenomenon, then deduction of explanations from principles.principles.

Experiment is superfluousExperiment is superfluous Some technology, little scienceSome technology, little science

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What Culture Founded Science?What Culture Founded Science?

Islam?Islam?

Picked up philosophy where Greeks left off. They Picked up philosophy where Greeks left off. They expanded on Aristotle rather than innovating.expanded on Aristotle rather than innovating.

Muslims assimilated and adapted others’ thought to Muslims assimilated and adapted others’ thought to Islam, but generated little original thinking.Islam, but generated little original thinking.

Allah not a lawful creator, but frequently intrudes in Allah not a lawful creator, but frequently intrudes in the world as he sees fit - determinismthe world as he sees fit - determinism

Some technology, little science.Some technology, little science.

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What Culture Founded Science?What Culture Founded Science?

Western Christian Culture?Western Christian Culture?

Rich institutional, intellectual tradition - universitiesRich institutional, intellectual tradition - universities Aristotle expanded, questioned, and rejectedAristotle expanded, questioned, and rejected Deduction verified by observationDeduction verified by observation Science is a logical and natural product of Christian Science is a logical and natural product of Christian

doctrine.doctrine. Technology and experimental science.Technology and experimental science.

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What Culture Founded Science? What Culture Founded Science?

““The rise of science was not an extension of classical The rise of science was not an extension of classical learning. It was a natural outgrowth of Christian learning. It was a natural outgrowth of Christian doctrine: Nature exists because it was created by God. doctrine: Nature exists because it was created by God. To love and honor God, one must fully appreciate the To love and honor God, one must fully appreciate the wonders of his handiwork. Moreover, because God is wonders of his handiwork. Moreover, because God is perfect, his handiwork functions in accord with perfect, his handiwork functions in accord with immutable principlesimmutable principles. By the full use of our God-. By the full use of our God-given powers of reason and observation, we ought to given powers of reason and observation, we ought to be able to discover these principles” (Rodney Stark, be able to discover these principles” (Rodney Stark, For the Glory of GodFor the Glory of God, 2003, p. 157)., 2003, p. 157).

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Summary of Science HistorySummary of Science History

Natural philosophy begun by Greeks - 4th Natural philosophy begun by Greeks - 4th century BCcentury BC

Aristotle emerges as premier natural Aristotle emerges as premier natural philosopher - 3rd century BCphilosopher - 3rd century BC Platonism and atomism are competing natural Platonism and atomism are competing natural

philosophies - 3rd century BCphilosophies - 3rd century BC Islamic world adopts Aristotle - 9th century Islamic world adopts Aristotle - 9th century

ADAD

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Summary of Science HistorySummary of Science History

Aristotle widely available to the West - 11th Aristotle widely available to the West - 11th century ADcentury AD

Universities founded - 13th century ADUniversities founded - 13th century AD Experimental methodology developed at Experimental methodology developed at

Oxford - 13th century ADOxford - 13th century AD Aristotle repudiated - 17th century ADAristotle repudiated - 17th century AD Birth of modern science - 17th century ADBirth of modern science - 17th century AD

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Scientific MethodScientific Method Francis Bacon (1620) as a Christian started from the Law of Francis Bacon (1620) as a Christian started from the Law of

Causality in his common day living experiences to develop the Causality in his common day living experiences to develop the scientific methodscientific method

FirstFirst: Make an Observation about a phenomena: Make an Observation about a phenomena SecondSecond: Make a guess or working hypothesis regarding the : Make a guess or working hypothesis regarding the

phenomena phenomena ThirdThird: experiment to falsify your guess (if falsified, then start : experiment to falsify your guess (if falsified, then start

over; if not, it becomes a theory)over; if not, it becomes a theory) FourthFourth: after much more experimentation, the theory becomes a : after much more experimentation, the theory becomes a

law of naturelaw of nature

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Scientific LawsScientific Laws GravityGravity Coulomb’s LawCoulomb’s Law CausalityCausality Ohm’s LawOhm’s Law Thermodynamics (zeroth, first, second, third)Thermodynamics (zeroth, first, second, third) Motion (first, second, third)Motion (first, second, third) Conservation of Momentum and Angular MomentumConservation of Momentum and Angular Momentum Conservation of MassConservation of Mass Kirchoff’s LawKirchoff’s Law Boyle’s LawBoyle’s Law Heisenberg Uncertainty PrincipleHeisenberg Uncertainty Principle Ideal Gas LawIdeal Gas Law Law of BiogenesisLaw of Biogenesis

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Theism vs Naturalism: Which Theism vs Naturalism: Which Aligns Better with the Laws of Aligns Better with the Laws of

Nature? Nature? BiogenesisBiogenesis

Law of BiogenesisLaw of Biogenesis: Life can only come from : Life can only come from life in terms of causalitylife in terms of causality

TheismTheism: God created mankind with life: God created mankind with life NaturalismNaturalism: Over long periods of time : Over long periods of time

different animals evolved into greater/larger different animals evolved into greater/larger forms of life but the original life was caused forms of life but the original life was caused by spontaneous generationby spontaneous generation

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Theism vs Naturalism: Which Aligns Theism vs Naturalism: Which Aligns Better with the Laws of Nature? Better with the Laws of Nature?

ThermodynamicsThermodynamics 11stst Law of Thermodynamics Law of Thermodynamics: energy (matter) cannot be created : energy (matter) cannot be created

or destroyedor destroyed 22ndnd Law of Thermodynamics Law of Thermodynamics: the amount of available energy is : the amount of available energy is

decreasing as things tend to go a disordered statedecreasing as things tend to go a disordered state

TheismTheism: God created everything with the greatest amount of : God created everything with the greatest amount of potential energy but things are going downhill ever since and potential energy but things are going downhill ever since and accelerated because of the sin of mankindaccelerated because of the sin of mankind

NaturalismNaturalism: There are ups and downs in thermodynamics of the : There are ups and downs in thermodynamics of the earth because of the energy from the sun (earth is an open earth because of the energy from the sun (earth is an open system)system)

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Scientific Pioneers Were ChristiansScientific Pioneers Were ChristiansFrom Rodney Stark, sociologist, Baylor UniversityFrom Rodney Stark, sociologist, Baylor University

Italic type indicate a ProtestantItalic type indicate a Protestant Personal PietyPersonal Piety BayerBayer, Johann (1572-1625), Johann (1572-1625) DevoutDevout Borelli, Giovanni (1608-1679)Borelli, Giovanni (1608-1679) ConventionalConventional BoyleBoyle, Robert (1627-1691), Robert (1627-1691) DevoutDevout BraheBrahe, Tycho (1546-1601), Tycho (1546-1601) ConventionalConventional BriggsBriggs, Henry (1561-1630), Henry (1561-1630) DevoutDevout Cassini, Giovanni (1625-1712)Cassini, Giovanni (1625-1712) ConventionalConventional Copernicus, Nicolaus (1473-1543)Copernicus, Nicolaus (1473-1543) ConventionalConventional Descartes, René (1596-1650)Descartes, René (1596-1650) DevoutDevout FabricusFabricus, David (1564-1617), David (1564-1617) DevoutDevout Fallopius, Gabriel (1523-1562)Fallopius, Gabriel (1523-1562) DevoutDevout

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Scientific Pioneers Were ChristiansScientific Pioneers Were Christians

Fermat, Pierre (1601-1665)Fermat, Pierre (1601-1665) ConventionalConventional FlamsteedFlamsteed, John (1646-1719), John (1646-1719) DevoutDevout Galilei, Galileo (1564-1642)Galilei, Galileo (1564-1642) ConventionalConventional Gassendi, Pierre (1592-1655)Gassendi, Pierre (1592-1655) DevoutDevout GellibrandGellibrand, Henry (1597-1663), Henry (1597-1663) DevoutDevout GilbertGilbert, William (1540-1603), William (1540-1603) ConventionalConventional Graaf, Regnier de (1641-1673)Graaf, Regnier de (1641-1673) ConventionalConventional GrewGrew, Nehemiah (1641-1712), Nehemiah (1641-1712) DevoutDevout Grimaldi, Francesco (1618-1663)Grimaldi, Francesco (1618-1663) DevoutDevout GuerickeGuericke, Otto (1602-1686), Otto (1602-1686) ConventionalConventional HalleyHalley, Edmund (1656-1742), Edmund (1656-1742) SkepticSkeptic HarveyHarvey, William (1578-1657), William (1578-1657) ConventionalConventional

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Scientific Pioneers Were ChristiansScientific Pioneers Were Christians

Helmont, Jan Baptista van (1577-1644)Helmont, Jan Baptista van (1577-1644) DevoutDevout Hevelius, Johannes (1611-1687)Hevelius, Johannes (1611-1687) ConventionalConventional HookeHooke, Robert (1635-1703), Robert (1635-1703) DevoutDevout HorrocksHorrocks, Jeremiah (1619-1641), Jeremiah (1619-1641) DevoutDevout HuygensHuygens, Christiaan (1629-1695), Christiaan (1629-1695) DevoutDevout KeplerKepler, Johannes (1571-1630), Johannes (1571-1630) DevoutDevout Kircher, Athanasius (1601-1680)Kircher, Athanasius (1601-1680) DevoutDevout LeeuwenhoekLeeuwenhoek, Anton (1632-1723), Anton (1632-1723) ConventionalConventional LeibnizLeibniz, Gottfried (1646-1716), Gottfried (1646-1716) DevoutDevout Malpighi, Marcello (1628-1694)Malpighi, Marcello (1628-1694) ConventionalConventional Mariotte, Edme (1620-1684)Mariotte, Edme (1620-1684) DevoutDevout Mersenne, Marin (1588-1648)Mersenne, Marin (1588-1648) DevoutDevout

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Scientific Pioneers Were ChristiansScientific Pioneers Were Christians

NapierNapier, John (1550-1617), John (1550-1617) DevoutDevout NewtonNewton, Isaac (1642-1727), Isaac (1642-1727) DevoutDevout Oughtred, Oughtred, William (1575-1660)William (1575-1660) DevoutDevout PapinPapin, Denis (1647-1712), Denis (1647-1712) DevoutDevout Paracelsus (1493-1541)Paracelsus (1493-1541) SkepticSkeptic Pascal, Blaise (1623-1662)Pascal, Blaise (1623-1662) DevoutDevout Picard, JeanPicard, Jean (1620-1682)(1620-1682) DevoutDevout RayRay, John (1628-1705), John (1628-1705) DevoutDevout Riccioli, Giovanni (1598-1671)Riccioli, Giovanni (1598-1671) DevoutDevout RoemerRoemer, Olaus (1644-1710), Olaus (1644-1710) ConventionalConventional Scheiner, Christoph (1575-1650)Scheiner, Christoph (1575-1650) DevoutDevout Snell, Willebrord (1591-1626)Snell, Willebrord (1591-1626) ConventionalConventional

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Scientific Pioneers Were ChristiansScientific Pioneers Were Christians

Steno, Nicolaus (1638-1686)Steno, Nicolaus (1638-1686) DevoutDevout StevinusStevinus, Simon (1548-1620), Simon (1548-1620) Conventional Conventional Torricelli, Evangelista (1606-1647)Torricelli, Evangelista (1606-1647) ConventionalConventional Vesalius, Andreas (1514-1564)Vesalius, Andreas (1514-1564) DevoutDevout Vieta, Franciscus (1540-1603)Vieta, Franciscus (1540-1603) ConventionalConventional WallisWallis, John (1616-1703), John (1616-1703) DevoutDevout

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Later Scientific Pioneers Who Later Scientific Pioneers Who Were ChristiansWere Christians

ScientistScientist Discipline FoundedDiscipline Founded Michael Faraday (1791-1867)Michael Faraday (1791-1867) Magnetic TheoryMagnetic Theory Charles Babbage (1792-1871)Charles Babbage (1792-1871) Computer ScienceComputer Science Louis Agassiz (1807-1873)Louis Agassiz (1807-1873) Glacial geology, ichthyologyGlacial geology, ichthyology James Young Simpson (1811-1870)James Young Simpson (1811-1870) GynecologyGynecology Gregor Mendel (1822-1884)Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) GeneticsGenetics Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) BacteriologyBacteriology William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) (1824-1907)William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) (1824-1907) Energetics, ThermodynamicsEnergetics, Thermodynamics Joseph Lister (1827-1912)Joseph Lister (1827-1912) Antiseptic surgeryAntiseptic surgery James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879)James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) Electrodynamics, statistical Electrodynamics, statistical

thermodynamicsthermodynamics William Ramsey (1852-1916)William Ramsey (1852-1916) Isotopic ChemistryIsotopic Chemistry

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Integrating the TruthIntegrating the Truth

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Integrating the TruthIntegrating the Truth

Truth corresponds to reality.Truth corresponds to reality. Reality is that science is largely theistic in Reality is that science is largely theistic in

originorigin Reality is science but also is more than just Reality is science but also is more than just

science.science.

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Scientific LimitationsScientific Limitations

All truth

Scientific truth

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Scientific Limitations: ExamplesScientific Limitations: Examples

When science said there were 1100 stars, the When science said there were 1100 stars, the bible said that the stars could not be counted bible said that the stars could not be counted (Gen 15:5)(Gen 15:5)

When science said the earth was flat, the bible When science said the earth was flat, the bible said that earth was round (Isaiah 40:22)said that earth was round (Isaiah 40:22)

When science said to take blood out of person When science said to take blood out of person when they are sick, the bible said that life is in when they are sick, the bible said that life is in the blood (Lev 17:11)the blood (Lev 17:11)

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However, Science is Encouraged in However, Science is Encouraged in the Bible: The Dominion Mandatethe Bible: The Dominion Mandate

Gen 1:28 Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish Gen 1:28 Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue itthe earth, and subdue it

Indicates human stewardship under the CreatorIndicates human stewardship under the Creator Science: Discovery of TruthScience: Discovery of Truth Engineering: Applying the TruthEngineering: Applying the Truth Humanities: Interpreting the TruthHumanities: Interpreting the Truth Commerce: Implementing the TruthCommerce: Implementing the Truth Education: Transmission of the TruthEducation: Transmission of the Truth

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Integrating the TruthIntegrating the Truth

If God made everything, then he also made If God made everything, then he also made you and meyou and me The creation is not greater than the CreatorThe creation is not greater than the Creator We are made with personality including the ability We are made with personality including the ability

to communicateto communicate He has communicated with usHe has communicated with us He made us to know him personally.He made us to know him personally.

What keeps us from knowing God personally?What keeps us from knowing God personally?

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We Are Not PerfectWe Are Not Perfect

We are sinful and separated from God, so we We are sinful and separated from God, so we cannot know him personally or experience his cannot know him personally or experience his lovelove

““For all have sinned and fall short of the glory For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23.of God” (Romans 3:23.

Are you perfect?Are you perfect?

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We Are Not PerfectWe Are Not Perfect

““For the wages of sin is For the wages of sin is death” (spiritual death” (spiritual separation from God) separation from God) (Romans 6:23)(Romans 6:23)

Though we continually Though we continually try to reach God by our try to reach God by our own efforts, such as a own efforts, such as a good life, philosophy, or good life, philosophy, or religion, we can’treligion, we can’t

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Jesus Is God’s Only ProvisionJesus Is God’s Only Provision

Jesus Christ is God’s Jesus Christ is God’s onlyonly provision for man’s provision for man’s sin. Through him alone we can know God sin. Through him alone we can know God personally and experience his lovepersonally and experience his love

He died in our placeHe died in our place ““But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in

that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)(Romans 5:8)

He rose from the deadHe rose from the dead

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Jesus Is The Only Way To GodJesus Is The Only Way To God

““Jesus said to him, ‘I Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the am the way, and the truth, and the life; no truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father one comes to the Father but through Me’” (John but through Me’” (John 14:6)14:6)

God reaches down to us.God reaches down to us. It is not enough to know It is not enough to know

these truthsthese truths

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Truth is a Person: JesusTruth is a Person: Jesus

Pilate asked Jesus just before his crucifixion: Pilate asked Jesus just before his crucifixion: “What is “What is truthtruth?” (John 18:38)?” (John 18:38)

Jesus said, “I am the way, the Jesus said, “I am the way, the truthtruth, and the , and the life; nobody can come to the Father without life; nobody can come to the Father without me.” (John 14:6)me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus said, “Every one that is of the Jesus said, “Every one that is of the truthtruth hears hears my voice.” (John 18:37)my voice.” (John 18:37)

Jesus said, “And you shall know the Jesus said, “And you shall know the truthtruth, and , and the the truthtruth shall set you free.” (John 8:32) shall set you free.” (John 8:32)