1. Science and the Christian
Chapter 1
Science and the Christian

2. A Framework for Science
Every scientist uses his or her senses to record information about the physical universe.
This information is in pieces of information called data.
Any collection of data through the senses (touch, taste, hearing, smell, and sight) is an observation.

3. A Framework for Science
A scientist can observe things that are small as an atom or as far away as another galaxy, but they can observe only the physical universe!!

4. A Framework for Science
Part of God’s creation – the spiritual realm – lies beyond scientists’ power to observe.

5. A Basis for Choosing
The accuracy of scientific principles is dependent upon the accuracy of the observations…
Man is mortal and imperfect and thus has limitations.

6. A Basis for Choosing
Some questions cannot be answered by scientific observations!!!
Unfortunately, scientists try to use science as a giver of truth.

7. A Basis for Choosing
Some scientists believe that there is a scientific, physical reason for criminal behavior…
for example, genes and DNA.

8. A Basis for Choosing What does God’s word say?
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight.”
James 4: 1&2

9. A Basis for Choosing
While scientists may mean well, they are allowing people to avoid the responsibility of sin!
Science will never be able to solve the sin problems of the heart!

10. A Basis for Choosing
Science practiced in the absence of biblical values yields choices based upon the opinions and observations of man
– not those of God!

11. Value Judgments
A value judgment is the deciding something is good or bad, valuable or worthless.
Scientific observations cannot be used to determine value.
Choices must be based on a system of values…Since science cannot determine value, where can you find correct values?

12. Value Judgments Relying on human abilities is called humanism.
It is the “anything goes”, “whatever is right for you” attitude.
There is no absolute right and wrong.

13. Value Judgments
As Christians we look to Christ and the Word of God as our authoritative source of values.
The Bible is the framework of truth with which to test the use of scientific knowledge, by which to decide the value of the use of the knowledge.

14. False Science Paul to Timothy:
“Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babbling, and oppositions of science (knowledge) falsely so called.”
I Timothy 6:20

15. False Science
False science is also called Pseudoscience…and is based on prejudice.
True science must be based on objectivity…where you are not swayed or influenced by prior knowledge or cultural and personal prejudices.

16. False Science Remember… Bias always plays a part in conclusions.
A person’s worldview plays a part in conclusions.

17. Worldviews There are two basic worldviews:
The materialistic worldview – Sees origins in terms of evolution
The biblical worldview – Sees origins in terms of scripture
These worldviews spill over into views on mankind and morality as well.

18. Viewpoints on Origins Evolution Creation Action
Theistic Evolution
Action
Natural Processes/Chance
Supernatural Act
Supernatural Direction
Time
Billions of Years
Six Days
End Result
Evolving still
Finished: change taking place, but degenerating
Evolving under direction

19. Viewpoints of Origins
“For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.”
Psalm 33:9

20. Choice Who will you chose to follow for your source of truth?
Scientists or God and His Word
No one can serve two masters

21. The Steps of the Scientific Method
1. Observation of the physical world
Problem or question
Hypothesis
Test hypothesis (Do experiment)
Gather results/analyze data

22. What is Physics? Physics reveals God’s order…
It is so orderly that it can be described by mathematical principles.
There are two groups of physics…
Classical Physics
Modern Physics

23. Classical Physics
Sir Isaac Newton described how things move (kinematics) and why things move (dynamics).
Together these make up what is known as Mechanics.

24. Classical Physics Classical physics also includes electromagnetism and
thermodynamics.

25. Modern Physics
Modern physics was ushered in by Albert Einstein…it is a new area of physics known as quantum mechanics.
It included the discovery of the electron and the “quantized” packets of energy.