Science and Faith

What is Science? scire – to know The scientific method Observe Hypothesise Test Predict Test

Acts 17:11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. (NLT)

James 1:5 Prov 3:13Psalm 34:8 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Science Topics The Big Bang The Origin of the Universe Theory of Evolution The Origin of Life Tylor’s Theorem The Origin of Religion

Fundamental Truth in Genesis God created everything God created Adam and Eve to be in relationship with him Adam and Eve fell out of relationship with God

The Big Bang Gravity forces sufficiently large objects to collapse into a Black Hole

Mathematical Singularity x 1 y=

The Big Bang Derived from the time reversal of the formation of a Black Hole

The Big Bang Singularity Space and Time collapse There is no ‘before’ the Big Bang Any cause for the Big Bang must be external to our Universe

Evolution and Genetics Natural Selection Favourable characteristics flourish Unfavourable characteristics die out Based on Genetics

Genetics and DNA DNA is a ‘double helix’ Just like a zip!

Compatible Genes Incompatible Genes

The Genetic Family Tree

Mitochondrial Eve Found by tracing mtDNA “The mother of all living humans” c. 200,000 years ago Suggested alternative dating to 6,000 years ago. Appears not to contradict the fundamental truth of Adam and Eve

Tylor’s Theorem Theorem no longer held by scholars Assumes that there is no God On the Origin of Religion Soul Spiritism Polytheism Monotheism Localised power Centralised power / Monarchy

Predictions of Tylor’s Theory Primitive societies practice spiritism Some do... but very many do not Theory eventually abandoned

‘Core’ Elements of Folk Religion A belief in the ‘One True God’ Creation The fall of man The need for sacrifice The great flood Sudden appearance of language Need for further revelation Courtesy of Don Richardson / Eternity in their Hearts

Persisting ‘Unscientific’ Myths That people only believe in God because they need something to explain the unknown That Science has explained religion (Tylor’s) That science disagrees with the bible

It’s OK to have Questions! How can we not have questions when we think about: God Fundamental truth and the Universe we live in? We’re not here to win arguments, we’re here to win hearts and minds!