Just wondering about some input to stimulate this group. Does it support science?
It might be good to take a step back, and rethink both terms and issues.
Scripture, Nature, & Science:
1.) God created both nature and scripture.
2.) So, inasmuch as we have a right understanding of both nature and scripture, they will correlate.
3.) To whatever degree we have a wrong understanding of either, then they will fail to correlate to that degree.
4.) Science is merely mankind's "study" of the natural world... so scientific observations and conclusions, because they are the work of man, have the ability to be either accurate or inaccurate.
5.) Although scripture is divine, the interpretation of scripture by men is not... so interpretations may also be either accurate or inaccurate.
6.) We have logical principles for interpreting nature, which are sometimes ignored in science - and we have logical principles for interpreting scripture, which are sometimes ignored in exegesis.
7.) Both nature and scripture are divinely created: they will always agree, and show the fingerprint of God, whenever they are both understood accurately.
8.) Since mankind is fallen, and is imperfect in both moral character and intellect, we should expect to encounter some misunderstandings of both nature and scripture. (The trick, of course, is to discern which is which.)
These are the realities that constrain us.
Atheist/Materialist View:
1. Christians don't believe in science.
2. Science and Religion are, and must be, at odds. They are antithetical... they cannot both exist.
3. Since there is no God, then science is the default measure of all truth... religion is merely wishful thinking.
Christian View:
1. Christians DO believe in science - but they believe scientists are capable of error.
2. Since God created both Nature and Scripture, they are, and must be, in perfect harmony.
3. Science and Scripture are NOT at odds, and CANNOT be at odds, unless one of them is interpreted incorrectly.
4. All discrepancies between Science and Religion are merely a result of poor interpretation: either nature or scripture has been understood incorrectly.
5. In order to harmonize "proper science" and "proper theology", we should recognize that both require some study... and it's possible that we, as mere humans, will make a few mistakes along the way.
6. CERTAINTY:
Finally, just because humans and prone to error, does not mean we cannot have confidence in things which are extremely clear. Some things in both scripture and nature are just very very clear.... there are many things of which we can be certain. In both scripture and science, it is safe to start with the certain things, and then work outward.
Sometimes when issues are in great conflict, if we simply clarify terms and positions... everything becomes easier.
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