God & Galileo Are Science and Faith Compatible? (The Christian Worldview especially as it relates to science) CYPU conference December 28, 2005 Sean Bird.

God & GalileoGod & GalileoAre Science and Faith Compatible?Are Science and Faith Compatible?

(The Christian Worldview especially as it relates to science)(The Christian Worldview especially as it relates to science)

CYPU conference

December 28, 2005

Sean Bird www.covenantchristian.org/bird

http://www.covenantchristian.org/bird

Science vs. ReligionScience vs. Religion

Is science diametrically opposed to faith?Is science diametrically opposed to faith?

Are the underpinnings of science Are the underpinnings of science essentially at odds with faith?essentially at odds with faith?

Can one believe God created the universe, Can one believe God created the universe, and not be considered an anti-science and not be considered an anti-science

ignoramus?ignoramus?

Faith DefinedFaith Defined

Faith is being sure of what you hope for and Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.certain of what you do not see.

ButBut doesn’t science only deal with things that we doesn’t science only deal with things that we cancan see? see?

Are the philosophical underpinnings of Are the philosophical underpinnings of science diametrically opposed to faith? science diametrically opposed to faith? On the contrary …On the contrary …

FAITH is FAITH is REQUISITEREQUISITE

Science depends on Science depends on 1.1. Law of CausalityLaw of Causality2.2. ValuesValues

– – Trustworthy reporting of dataTrustworthy reporting of data– – Honest analysisHonest analysis

3.3. Logic & Reason Logic & Reason 4.4. Attainability of TruthAttainability of Truth

Are any of these empirically Are any of these empirically observable?observable?

Historic Presuppositions of ScienceHistoric Presuppositions of Science

1564 – 1642 AD1564 – 1642 AD

THE TRUTH:

1.It was not an issue of religion vs. scientific evidence.

2. Galileo was not joining Copernicus in dethroning man from his central place in the universe.

These views are held by those who have not availed themselves to the available research.

It “swept man out of his proud position It “swept man out of his proud position as the central figure and end of the as the central figure and end of the universe, and made him a tiny speck universe, and made him a tiny speck on a third-rate planet revolving about on a third-rate planet revolving about a tenth-rate sun drifting in an endless a tenth-rate sun drifting in an endless cosmic ocean.”cosmic ocean.”

HeliocentricHeliocentric

GeocentricGeocentric

According to the According to the cosmology of the cosmology of the Middle Ages the Middle Ages the center of the universe center of the universe was actually the was actually the center of evil. They center of evil. They placed hell at the placed hell at the true center as in 13C. true center as in 13C. Dante’s Inferno.Dante’s Inferno.

Earth Earth

384 – 322 BC384 – 322 BC

Water Water Air Air

Fire

F

ire

384 – 322 BC384 – 322 BC

1564 – 1642 AD1564 – 1642 AD

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Protestant Reformation(1509-1564)

384 – 322 BC384 – 322 BC

1564 – 1642 AD1564 – 1642 AD

Council of Trent (1545-1563)

Copernicus Galileo Newton (1473-1543) (1564-1642) (1642-1727)

Kepler – Germany (1571-1630)

384 – 322 BC384 – 322 BC

1564 – 1642 AD1564 – 1642 AD

Common-sense objections to heliocentric system in Galileo’s day

1. Throw object straight up and it would have to land in a different spot – i.e. Coriolis effect demonstrated by Foucault pendulum 1851.

2. Tycho Brahe argued that a cannonball fired one direction ought to travel further than one shot the other way.

This was answered by Galileo’s development of an early form of relativity theory.

3. A slight change in position of fixed stars should be seen when we are on opposite sides of the orbit around the sun. – observed in 1838.

Also the positive evidence heliocentrism was nil.

HeliocentricHeliocentric

GeocentricGeocentric

In fact Copernicus’ system wasn’t even all that mathematically simpler. It only reduced the number of epicycles needed to explain planetary orbits from more than eighty to thirty-four. Whatsmore, until Kepler, the heliocentric model didn’t even predict observed phenomena as well as the geocentric model.

Indeed, it wasn’t till after Galileo’s observations and Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion either system was simply dogmatically asserted.

Three main assumptions that had to be in place for Three main assumptions that had to be in place for science to developscience to develop

The world is realThe world is real God is reasonableGod is reasonable The universe is orderedThe universe is ordered

Francis Schaeffer noted, “Christianity believes that Francis Schaeffer noted, “Christianity believes that God has created an external God has created an external world that is world that is really therereally there; and because ; and because He is a reasonable He is a reasonable GodGod, one can expect to be able to find the , one can expect to be able to find the orderorder of the universe by reason” of the universe by reason”


Schaeffer writes about Alfred Whitehead & Robert Oppenheimer,Schaeffer writes about Alfred Whitehead & Robert Oppenheimer, ““As far as I know, neither of these two men were As far as I know, neither of these two men were Christians or claimed to be Christians; yet both were Christians or claimed to be Christians; yet both were straightforward in acknowledging that straightforward in acknowledging that modern modern science was born out of the Christian world-viewscience was born out of the Christian world-view. . Whitehead was absolutely right about this. He was Whitehead was absolutely right about this. He was not a Christian, but he understood that not a Christian, but he understood that there would there would have never been modern science without the have never been modern science without the biblical view of Christianitybiblical view of Christianity.”.”


The universe is orderedThe universe is ordered


As I try to discern the origin of that conviction, I seem to find it in a basic notion discovered 2000 or 3000 years ago, and enunciated first in the Western world by the ancient Hebrews: namely that the universe is governed by a single God, and is not the product of the whims of many gods, each governing his own province according to his own laws. This monotheistic view seem to be the historical foundation for modern science.

Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Melvin Calvin

““The chief aim of all The chief aim of all investigations of the external investigations of the external world should be to discover the world should be to discover the rational order and harmony rational order and harmony which has been imposed on it by which has been imposed on it by God and which He revealed to us God and which He revealed to us in the language of in the language of mathematics.”mathematics.”

- Kepler (1571-1630)- Kepler (1571-1630)

1.1. The world is real –The world is real – If one believes the world is not really If one believes the world is not really there, then there is not an incentive to investigate it. But the there, then there is not an incentive to investigate it. But the Christian doctrine of a real creation provides an incentive (Gen 1:1; Christian doctrine of a real creation provides an incentive (Gen 1:1; Neh 9:6; Rev 4:11). Neh 9:6; Rev 4:11).

2.2. The universe is good –The universe is good – Even with the Fall, this Even with the Fall, this goodness is not eradicated. This higher view of nature led to the goodness is not eradicated. This higher view of nature led to the Christian belief that the material world is worthy of investigation Christian belief that the material world is worthy of investigation (Gen 1:31; Ps 111:2,3; 1Tim 4:4). (Gen 1:31; Ps 111:2,3; 1Tim 4:4).

3.3. Creator/Creature relationship –Creator/Creature relationship – God is God is transcendent, He is not created. He is over nature, not the same as transcendent, He is not created. He is over nature, not the same as it. This doctrine enabled scientific studies to begin. The monotheism it. This doctrine enabled scientific studies to begin. The monotheism of the Bible exorcised the gods of nature, freeing humanity to enjoy of the Bible exorcised the gods of nature, freeing humanity to enjoy and investigate without fear. When the world is no longer an object and investigate without fear. When the world is no longer an object of worship, then—and only then—could it become an object of of worship, then—and only then—could it become an object of study (Ps 102:25-27; Acts 14:14; Hab 2:19-20)study (Ps 102:25-27; Acts 14:14; Hab 2:19-20)


The early chemist Jean-Baptiste van Helmont

insisted that the pursuit of science is “a good gift,” given by God.

1580-1644

“There is need of art and more exacting toil in order to investigate the motion of the stars, to determine their assigned stations, to measure their intervals, to note their properties.”

4.4. Rational Universe – Rational Universe – So the Christian doctrine of a So the Christian doctrine of a rational God provides the basis for belief in a rational universe rational God provides the basis for belief in a rational universe (Gen 8:22; Ps 104:3-33; 148:6; Job 28:26,27; Jer 5:24; 31:35; (Gen 8:22; Ps 104:3-33; 148:6; Job 28:26,27; Jer 5:24; 31:35; 33:20; James 1:17) 33:20; James 1:17)

5.5. In the Image of God –In the Image of God – Christianity teaches Christianity teaches Imago Imago DeiDei humans are created in the image of God. And since God is a humans are created in the image of God. And since God is a rational Being, we are also rational beings. Even with the Fall, the rational Being, we are also rational beings. Even with the Fall, the Imago DeiImago Dei was not eradicated. So the Christian teaching of the was not eradicated. So the Christian teaching of the Imago Dei Imago Dei provides a basis to believe we can understand the provides a basis to believe we can understand the universe (Gen 1:26,27; 9:6; James 3:9). universe (Gen 1:26,27; 9:6; James 3:9).

6.6. Creation ex nihilo –Creation ex nihilo – This phrase means God created This phrase means God created without the use of pre-existing materials. So God would not be without the use of pre-existing materials. So God would not be limited by any “inherent nature” in pre-existing substances in His limited by any “inherent nature” in pre-existing substances in His creating. He could create as He willed… Thus the application of creating. He could create as He willed… Thus the application of geometry and mathematics to the analysis of physical motion geometry and mathematics to the analysis of physical motion rests on the Christian doctrine of creation rests on the Christian doctrine of creation ex nihiloex nihilo" (Ps 33:6; " (Ps 33:6; John 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 11:3) John 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 11:3)


Historic Presuppositions of ScienceHistoric Presuppositions of Science7.7. Motives for science –Motives for science – The Christian faith provided motives The Christian faith provided motives

to pursue scientific research. to pursue scientific research.

i) The early scientists believed investigating God’s creation was a way of i) The early scientists believed investigating God’s creation was a way of glorifying and serving Him. glorifying and serving Him.

For instance, In one of his notebooks, Kepler broke spontaneously into For instance, In one of his notebooks, Kepler broke spontaneously into prayer:prayer:

‘‘I give you thanks, Creator I give you thanks, Creator and God, that you have and God, that you have given me this joy in thy given me this joy in thy creation, and I rejoice in creation, and I rejoice in the works of your hands. the works of your hands. See I have now completed See I have now completed the work to which I was the work to which I was called. In it I have used all called. In it I have used all the talents you have lent the talents you have lent to my spirit.’to my spirit.’

“It is especially in sciences … that we see the wonders of God, his power, wisdom and goodness; … that is why, since my youth, I have given myself to the sciences that I loved.”

- Leibniz

“The most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being…This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all; and on account of his dominion he is wont to be called Lord God, or Universal Ruler…The Supreme God is a Being eternal, infinite, absolutely perfect; but a being, however perfect, without dominion, cannot be said to be Lord God; for we say, my God, your God, the God of Israel, the God of Gods, and Lord of Lords…”

-Newton (1643-1727) Principia

Newton explains God as being personal and sustaining all things by his powerful word for the purpose of His own glory. His dominion is evident in creation.

And to see this was Newton’s purposefor the work that he did.

Historic Presuppositions of ScienceHistoric Presuppositions of Science7.7. Motives for science –Motives for science –

ii) "Christians found Biblical justification for an active use of nature ii) "Christians found Biblical justification for an active use of nature in the creation account (Genesis 1:28), where God gives human in the creation account (Genesis 1:28), where God gives human beings ‘dominion’ over the earth. Dominion was understood not as beings ‘dominion’ over the earth. Dominion was understood not as license to exploit nature ruthlessly but as a responsibility to cultivate license to exploit nature ruthlessly but as a responsibility to cultivate it, care for it, and harness its forces for human benefit."it, care for it, and harness its forces for human benefit."

““Almighty God, who hast created Almighty God, who hast created man in Thine own image, and man in Thine own image, and made him a living soul that he made him a living soul that he might seek after Thee and have might seek after Thee and have dominion over Thy creatures, dominion over Thy creatures, teach us to study the works of Thy teach us to study the works of Thy hands that we may subdue the hands that we may subdue the earth to our use, and strengthen earth to our use, and strengthen our reason for They service; and our reason for They service; and so to receive They blessed Word, so to receive They blessed Word, that we may believe on Him whom that we may believe on Him whom Thou has sent to give us theThou has sent to give us the

knowledge of salvation and the remission of our knowledge of salvation and the remission of our sins. All which we ask in the name of the same sins. All which we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord”Jesus Christ our Lord”

Maxwell 1831-1879

7.7. Motives for science –Motives for science – The Christian faith provided motives to The Christian faith provided motives to pursue scientific research. pursue scientific research.

iii) Christians found significance in Adam’s naming of the animals. iii) Christians found significance in Adam’s naming of the animals. In Hebrew, to name something is to assert mastery over it. Also, a In Hebrew, to name something is to assert mastery over it. Also, a name expresses the essential nature of a thing. So Adam had to name expresses the essential nature of a thing. So Adam had to carefully analyze the animals to give them appropriate names. carefully analyze the animals to give them appropriate names. Thus Genesis gave divine justification to the study and analysis of Thus Genesis gave divine justification to the study and analysis of the natural world.the natural world.

iv) Science was viewed as one way of alleviating the effects of the iv) Science was viewed as one way of alleviating the effects of the Fall (Genesis 3). Thus science was permeated with religious Fall (Genesis 3). Thus science was permeated with religious concern for the poor and the sick, with humanitarian effort to concern for the poor and the sick, with humanitarian effort to alleviate toil and tedium.alleviate toil and tedium.

This last point was particularly revolutionary. The idea of improving This last point was particularly revolutionary. The idea of improving one’s life cannot occur to people trapped in a cyclic, fatalistic, or one’s life cannot occur to people trapped in a cyclic, fatalistic, or deterministic view of history. (Ps 19:1-6; 115:16; Ezek 34:4-Matt deterministic view of history. (Ps 19:1-6; 115:16; Ezek 34:4-Matt 25:32-45; Acts 20:35; 1John 3:17,18).25:32-45; Acts 20:35; 1John 3:17,18).


Unreasonable Faith of Unreasonable Faith of Some Modern ScientistsSome Modern Scientists

““The universe was created by chance”The universe was created by chance”So is chance a scientific law?So is chance a scientific law? Chance is not a thing. It has no being so it has Chance is not a thing. It has no being so it has no power.no power.CHANCE CANNOT DO ANYTHING!CHANCE CANNOT DO ANYTHING!

““In this day and age we no longer believe in spontaneous generation.In this day and age we no longer believe in spontaneous generation. We now believe in gradual spontaneous generation.”We now believe in gradual spontaneous generation.”

““One has only to wait. Time itself performs the miracle. The One has only to wait. Time itself performs the miracle. The impossible becomes possible; the possible, probable; and the impossible becomes possible; the possible, probable; and the probable, certain. What begins as an impossibility becomes probable, certain. What begins as an impossibility becomes certain through miracle. And the miracle is performed by the certain through miracle. And the miracle is performed by the causal agent time.”causal agent time.”

Unreasonable Faith of Unreasonable Faith of Some Modern ScientistsSome Modern Scientists

Time Time Chance Chance + + == UniverseUniverse

Nothing Nothing Nothing Nothing + + == EverythingEverything

Great QuestionGreat Question

Personal Impersonal

Which is fundamental?

Foundation of science Foundation of science 1.1. Law of CausalityLaw of Causality

2.2. ValuesValues– – Trustworthy reporting of dataTrustworthy reporting of data

– – Honest analysisHonest analysis

3.3. Logic & Reason Logic & Reason

4.4. Attainability of TruthAttainability of Truth

Obligations and loyalties arise in the context of interpersonal relationships. Morality is covenantal in nature.

ConclusionConclusion Therefore the ultimate authority is an “absolute

personality” Accept the God of the Bible or deny objective

morality, objective truth, the rationality of man, and the rational knowability of the universe.

Jesus demands all, not some of our loyalty (Dt 6:4ff; Lk 9:23-26). That includes loving him with the mind – which may well entail holding some unpopular views on scholarly matters (1 Tim 6:20)

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus”

Eph 4:17-21 (ESV)

What We GatherWhat We Gather It is quite obvious that the concept and It is quite obvious that the concept and

understanding of God presented scientists from understanding of God presented scientists from the time of the Protestant Reformation on with an the time of the Protestant Reformation on with an unsurpassed motivation to mathematically model unsurpassed motivation to mathematically model the world around them.the world around them.

The idea of God as the Law-Giver helped give The idea of God as the Law-Giver helped give weight to the theory that nature was created with weight to the theory that nature was created with a set of its own laws. a set of its own laws. Job 38:32-33Job 38:32-33Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs? Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set Bear with its cubs? Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God's dominion over the earth? up God's dominion over the earth?

The Reformation restored the Biblical The Reformation restored the Biblical perspective and thereby stimulated an interest in perspective and thereby stimulated an interest in God’s handiwork. God’s handiwork.

Atheistic scientists today are operating on borrowed capital.Atheistic scientists today are operating on borrowed capital.

God & Galileo Are Science and Faith Compatible? (The Christian Worldview especially as it relates to science) CYPU conference December 28, 2005 Sean Bird.

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