Saturday, February 21, 2009

QUESTION OF THE WEEK! - Why does science need God?‏

Q: Why does science need God?

A: It is one of those embarrassing historical ironies that modern science could not have arisen except in the atmosphere of a Christian world-and-life view. Nevertheless, the scientific community today persists in playing the prodigal by assuming an antagonistic stance against the Christianity of divine revelation. Hypnotized by Darwin’s evolutionary scheme and enchanted with the products of scientific technology, modern man has granted science a secularized godship and bows before it in fetish idolatry.

The pitting of science against revelation is certainly odd. For, a certain state of affairs is needed for the scientific endeavor to be meaningful or fruitful. The scientist must believe that the state of affairs is conducive to science, or he would not venture into the scientific enterprise. He must believe that there is a world of things and processes that can be known and that he himself sustains a relationship to this world that allows him to know these objects and events. But then, what reason can the scientist give for his belief that the state of affairs is actually conducive to science? Why is the world such as it is and not otherwise?

Here the scientist, who depends on the self-sufficiency of his logico-empirical procedures, is in a predicament. His response is usually to make various hypotheses about the world and then point to the beneficial results that flow from such hypotheses; he gives, can give, no reason for those hypotheses—they just are, because they work. If pressed, or if he is philosophically inclined, he may even go so far as to say that his “working hypotheses” have no reason unless it be “chance.”
In other words, the consistent naturalistic scientist seems to hold to an irrational set of beliefs about the state of affairs simply in order that his “rational” scientific endeavor may get off the ground. It is rather obvious that prior to any scientific endeavor we must begin either from speculation (about “chance” hypotheses) or from revelation. The Scriptures (of the one Person who knows) reveal how it is that this world, and man in it, are such as to make scientific endeavor meaningful. The state of affairs that exists is due to the creation and providence of the sovereign God. If science (so-called) could actually refute the truths of Scripture, then there would be no actual basis for science at all. The desire of the scientific community to pit its enterprise and conclusions against Christian revelation is ultimately suicidal.
Continue reading why science needs the Triune God at Revelation, Speculation, and Science, the first of our articles by Dr. Greg Bahnsen.

Don’t Miss Out!

The next session of our online education courses begins soon and registration is open until March 2. Foundations in Creation Apologetics is a 12-week course designed to equip you to defend your faith in an evolution-dominated world that is increasingly hostile to Christianity. Each weekly lesson is designed so that you can work at your own pace, making it ideal for both students and working people. The lessons focus on helping you understand the issues involved and how to use the information you learn to share your faith with others. As a student, you will be involved in reading articles, watching videos, discussing ideas with classmates and instructors, and applying what you have learned in the assessments.

Want to learn more about how the Bible is confirmed by the geologic record? Join us for a 6-week study in Creation Apologetics and Geology. You will explore how we arrive at the age of the earth, understand radiometric dating claims, how plate tectonics fits with the Flood and the Ice Age, the authority of Scripture, and more. Interact with other students from around the world, discuss the ideas you are learning with Dr. Andrew Snelling in live chats, and strengthen your faith as you dive deep into God’s Word in this course.

For more information about these learning opportunities, visit edu.answersingenesis.org.

News to Note Quick Look

Indoctrinate—or else!: Some evolutionists are taking the culture war over origins to the next step: boycotting an entire U.S. state in protest of the state’s education laws. Read more.

Those wacky creationists: Stephen Moss of Britain’s The Guardian aims to answer the question “who exactly are” creationists? Will his answer be on target or way off base? Read more.

Also: aliens among us, no longer one in a billion, another branch of the family, and don’t miss . . . . Read more.

Prayer Requests

View the current prayer requests to keep track of and pray for current ministry needs. Thank you!

Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program

Mammal-like reptiles—are they evolutionary transitions?
Design in Nature—what does it mean?
Whale evolution—another fairy tale!
Noah’s Flood—was it worldwide?
Poodles and Bichons—the end of the line!

After Eden

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

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