GOD AND SCIENCE A STUDY OF THE COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND SCIENCE 1

OUTLINE What is science? Is science fallible? Where do science and Christianity appear to conflict? Climate Change: Natural or Human Driven? What’s the real problem? How do we deal with non-believers who quote science as fact? 2

FROM OUR SECOND CLASS: THINGS TO DO Keep an open mind Beware of theories being presented as facts Be skeptical Pray for guidance

NOW WHAT? That was a good start, but now what do we do? Read more Read both sides of the argument Read various Christian perspectives Talk to others (don’t yell … as tempting as it might be) Do not assume you can change anyone else’s mind That’s something they have to do, or the Spirit has to do in them Focus on the good news 4

THE GOOD NEWS We are not alone We have hope for life after death We have a guide who can help us through difficult times We have a family beyond the one we are born with 5

TALKING WITH OTHERS ABOUT SCIENCE AND FAITH Ask Questions This shows the other person you care about their opinions AND keeps you off the hot seat Questions can be used to clarify someone’s view, to understand why the person holds a view, or to gently offering challenges 6

TALKING WITH OTHERS ABOUT SCIENCE AND FAITH Examples of challenge questions How is it possible that the universe popped into existence out of nothing? How could life on earth come from non-life? Can naturalism explain how consciousness arose from unconsciousness? 7

TALKING WITH OTHERS ABOUT SCIENCE AND FAITH Examples of challenge questions If naturalism is true, how could we know it for sure? (If our minds are the product of chance and random mutations, how can we be sure that any of our thoughts are true, rather than delusions meant to enhance our chances at survival?) If naturalism is true, how can we say that any behavior is good or bad in an objective sense? 8

TALKING WITH OTHERS ABOUT SCIENCE AND FAITH Key Points to Remember God has given us the Book of Nature and the Book of Scripture. Both will agree when properly interpreted Science has limits. It can only give us knowledge about the natural world and is dependent on presuppositions that are not scientifically testable. 9

DISCUSSION What did we miss? What did we “get wrong?” What was most beneficial? Where should we go next with this kind of class? 10

SUGGESTED READING Case for the Creator, Lee Strobel Case for Christ, Lee Strobel The Reason for God, Timothy Keller Navigating Genesis, Hugh Ross Science and Faith, C. John Collins 11

SUGGESTED VIDEOS – ILLUSTRA MEDIA The Privileged Planet – Fine Tuning Flight - Darwinism Living Waters - Darwinism Metamorphosis - Darwinism Unlocking the Mystery of Life – Cell’s Design Darwin’s Dilemma – Cambrian Explosion 12

SUGGESTED WEBSITES Reasons to Believe - Reasonable Faith - God and Science