In the
previous blog, I mentioned a heated Facebook conversation over Creationism. It
is interesting what people will write in one or two sentence snippets of ideas when the
only opinions seem to count and the facts don’t get in the way. Accordingly, many
things were said during the course of the discussion, with little evidentiary
support for a cherished opinion. Accordingly, during the conversation it was alleged
that the Bible is not meant to be a scientific textbook and that when Moses
wrote the creation account in Genesis, he did so merely to answer the questions
of an ignorant people. These two statements were given in support of the
position that the Creation account in Genesis is not to be taken literally. Both
of these statements, however, are things that have truth in them but it is the
inferences drawn from them that are all wrong.
The
first statement which maintains that the Bible is not a scientific textbook is
a truism that cannot be denied. The Bible is not meant as a Science textbook;
it is the story of man's fall and God’s subsequent work of redemption. It is,
however, a miraculous book authored by none other than the God, Himself [2
Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:] and as such, when it makes a
statement that touches on an area of Science, it should be listened to. To
presume otherwise, is to place Science in a superior position over the Bible in
such matters.
We must consider, however, that Science is
man-centered. It is by definition the “observation, identification, description,
experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.”Alarmingly,
it is being looked to explain practically every aspect of our lives and our
universe. There is no end to what man seeks to explain through the realm of Science.
Even matters that once were considered as sacred to faith and practice are now
being scrutinized under the auspices of Social Science, resulting in what once
was called sin being now considered disease or a natural occurring alternative
life style. The clear truths in Romans 1, which describe the degeneration of
fallen man are explained away to make way for this new scientifically
enlightened thinking. However, when we modify our interpretation of the Bible
to conform to Scientific thought, it must be considered that we are making the
Word of God subservient to man’s observations as well as theoretical
interpretations.
In defense of the position that Science is
superior to Scripture is the statement that Science is truth and that “all truth
is God’s truth.” However, when we consider the man-centered nature of Science,
we realize its vulnerability. Science is based on observations and where
observations are impossible Science tries to fill in the void with guesses. This is its
weakness. While Science is useful in lots of areas, there are limits to what
Science can be used to explain. For this reason, then, we must draw a line
where Science is, and is not, useful in helping to explain things mentioned in
the Bible. For example, when we say that Moses wrote the creation account to
answer questions of an ignorant people we implying that since what Moses wrote is not
reliable in light of present day Science, it must be seen as something other than factual. However, we must consider the reliability of
Science concerning this topic which is in reality, the origins of the universe. When we do
this, the vulnerability of Science is exposed.
The validity of Science is based on the validity
of its observations. Concerning the origins of the universe, man was not there,
so his observations are limited to what has come afterward. From these observations
man has attempted to put together theories or best guesses as to what actually
occurred. On the other hand, Scripture maintains that what Moses wrote is the
actual Word of God. Accordingly, it is God’s Creation account. Since Science is
dependent on observation, it cannot be used to contradict God’s eyewitness
account in an area where it (Science) can only make guesses.
Consider this statement
from the book of Hebrews: Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders
obtained a good report.3Through
faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that
things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Hebrews 11:1-3).The writer of Hebrews makes it clear
that there are things that we can know through observation of things that can
be seen (Science), and things that we can know only through believing the Word
of the living God (faith). There is then a limitation to Science. Accordingly, (from
Hebrews) when Science is being used to explain the origins of the universe it
has exceeded its limits. In view of this statement from Hebrews we need to
consider that when Science and God’s Word seem to conflict we need not trust
the superiority of Science over God’s Word. Instead we need to trust the Word
of God and not lean on Science to understand what it says in areas where Science is extended beyond its limits.
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