Doctrine of Creation

Beautiful Savior Lutheran

Week 3 – 18 January 2004

Professor Gary Locklair

 

 

The Nature of Science

 

0. Nature is a General Revelation of God as Creator

            Psalm 19

            Romans 1:19-20

 

            God’s Word is the special revelation of Jesus as Redeemer

            Luke 24:27

            John 5:39

 

            “God wants to be recognized from nature” Kepler

 

 

1. What is Science?

 

Science - Possession of knowledge; knowledge attained through study or practice (Webster’s). A branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws (Random House). A search for truth. [Latin - scientia = knowledge.]

 

            What is truth?         John 18:37-38          John 14:6

 

Operation Science - Scientific endeavors characterized by observation and experimentation; deals with regularities and is associated with the “scientific method.”

 

Regularities - Normal, regularly occurring events, eg gravity.

 

Origin Science - Scientific endeavors characterized by the analysis and interpretation of evidence; deals with singularities and is associated with “model building.”

 

Singularities - Unique, one-time events, eg a birth.

 

            Creation vs. Evolution scientific conflict is over cause

 

            Primary Cause - An intelligent being acting with plan and purpose.

 

            Secondary Cause - A natural phenomenon acting without purpose.

 

            How can science help us understand God’s world?

            Genesis 1:28

 

            Science in the Bible

            Genesis 1:1               Genesis 22:17                       Job 26:7,8

 

 

2. Is Science a Foe or Ally of Faith?

 

            True science develops in the context of Christianity

Stanley Beck (hostile witness) said, “These scientific premises define and limit the scientific mode of thought. It should be pointed out, however, that each of these postulates has its origin in, or was consistent with, Christian theology.”

 

            Scientists who founded many disciplines were Christians

            Robert Boyle – Chemistry

            Michael Faraday – Electromagnetics

            Lord Kelvin – Thermodynamics

            Johann Kepler – Astronomy

            Carolus Linnaeus - Taxonomy

            Matthew Maury – Oceanography

            Clerk Maxwell – Electrodynamics

            Isaac Newton – Dynamics

            Louis Paster – Bacteriology

            John Ray - Biology

 

            Scientists who looked to God’s Word for insight

            Matthew Maury

            Psalm 8:8

 

            Current scientists who accept God’s Word

 

            Geocentrism, Heliocentrism, Science and the Bible

                        Ptolomy – Greek – proposed geocentric model

                        Copernicus – Christian – proposed heliocentric model

                        Rheticus – Lutheran – introduced Copernicus into academy

                        Mastlin – Lutheran – taught Copernicus’ model

                        Kepler – Lutheran – built on Copernicus’ idea

                        Brahe – Lutheran – provided observational data for Kepler

 

            We don’t have to “check our brains at the door” if we’re Christians

 

God doesn’t need our help proving him! We investigate God’s world to strengthen our faith and help answer questions from the honest skeptic.

(We’re not proving that God exists.)