Faith and science
Faith & Science in the search for God
Many say that faith and science to do belong together.
-Experienced both sides of this…reality is that they go hand in hand
-Science is basically a way of discovering truth in the world…tied to faith
-Science without faith…missing out on whole area of knowledge
-Faith without science-blind. Claim to be based upon truth is empty.
In fact, the Bible encourages us to take a scientific look at the world and says that the truth about will be obvious
Romans 1:20- For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
(Rom 1:20 NIV)
The apostle Paul says here, “Take a good look around you..observe carefully what you see. You will see the evidence of God-we have no excuse for not believing.”
Today I would like to take a look at some of the things science can tell us about our faith as Christians.
Need to be careful not to mix scientific evidence with theory.
-Evolution/origins debate-no evidence. There are good solid reasons for doubting a lot of what evolutionists/cosmologists say…but they always come back with another theory…without data we can’t really disprove anything…
People argue these things constantly and often the only result is that we create a greater divide between “us” and “them”.
This debate is all about belief…and trying to argue the science of origins is a meaningless debate. This is exactly the kind of thing Paul warned his friend Timothy about in 2 Timothy 2:23-26.
-I am going to try to stick to more solid evidence...encourage you to do the same if you ever get into this kind of discussion…
So…begin with the theory that what the Bible tells us about God is true…does science back this up?
Well, first it says that He is the creator of the world: No scientist has been able to explain where matter came from. No one can produce the spark of life. Observations of the world point to a creator?-Genesis 1:1
-God is also sustainer…fine-tuning of universe (Col 1:17)
The Bible also tells us that God cares us. This is an important distinction between the Bible and any other “religious” writing out there.
-Looked in Pubmed for some sort of solid research to show this. Hundreds of research articles. Less depressed, healthier, live longer, recover better from illness. UofMN-center for spirituality and healing. Points to the idea that God cares and is involved in our lives. Prayer is effective!
Personal observations-elderly, women.
Bible tells us that God wants us to live a certain way: Love God, love others. Research has shown that living this way is what is best for us. People who don’t abuse drugs/alcohol, take care of others-happiest and healthiest. Study showing high level of relationship satisfaction among church goers-something good about a biblical lifestyle.
-some would say this isn’t anything about God…we’ve just realized as humans we do best with this certain moral code-but this is still evidence supporting biblical faith. Things we’ve learned are good for us are the very things God told us to do thousands of years ago. Points to truth in the Bible.
Bible tells us that turning to God will help us overcome our sins:
Teen Challenge
Justin Martyr
Closing: this is just a brief look. Deeper you go, the more clear it is that there is a God who loves us and wants us to turn to Him. Scientifically speaking: “God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
Hope this series has given you reasons to believe..
Pray that this little bit of knowledge that I’ve shared today will encourage you to have complete faith in the one who created & sustains you, who loves you with all His heart & desires for you to know Him.
Justin Martyr Quote:
Secondly, out of every race of men we who once worshiped Dionysus the son of Semele and Apollo the son of Leto, who in their passion for men did things which it is disgraceful even to speak of, or who worshiped Persephone and Aphrodite, who were driven mad by [love of] Adonis and whose mysteries you celebrate, or Asclepius or some other of those who are called gods, now through Jesus Christ despise them, even at the cost of death, and have dedicated ourselves to the unbegotten and impassible God
These have conquered me—the divinity of the instruction, and the power of the Word: for as a skilled serpent-charmer lures the terrible reptile from his den and causes it to flee, so the Word drives the fearful passions of our sensual nature from the very recesses of the soul; first driving forth lust, through which every ill is begotten.
