Scientific Method
Scientific Method: “principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.” — Merriam Webster — Encyclopedia Britannica provides this chart:
If you notice, there is no “blilnd faith” in this chart. The Bible requires no “blind faith,” either.
There are two general philosophies in both topics — Yes. Both. One school of thought says God created all things in the universe out of chaos. The other simply claims it just happened. The Bible says God created Heaven and Earth with a plan and a purpose. Science says it was a chaotic happenstance with no particular plan or purpose. Life teaches us that nothing happens without planning for a purpose. Therein, people have created a rather innumerable quantity of inventions that make life easier. Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burdens are light.
Now an awful lot of Christianity commands people to just believe. You just have to accept the Bible by faith. Sorry. That is blind faith. James says, “But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.” James 1:5 (Good News Translation) Being one of the first things James is teaching is to get knowledge and understanding, it must be very important. Science emphasizes the very same thing, doesn’t it? However, Science stumbles in its own methodology when their hypothesis cannot be tested — no experiment can be designed. Therefore, the Big Bang will forever remain a hypothesis and requires blind faith, a blind loyalty to Science as their god. As for Christianity, Hebrews 11:1 describes faith this way, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Apparently then, believers are not supposed to follow blindly but stand on some particular assurance that can be tested.
Scientists can fill up eight huge blackboards with mathematical calculus equations and by that and other means have solidified the Big Bang Theory. So, they can explain WHAT happened, but at least in part have to take by blind faith How it happened. Moreover, it is purely by that “faith” that they try to explain WHY. On the other hand, the Bible explains all — WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, HOW, and WHY.
The stubblingblock and I suppose, the point of contention, arises from the Bible not being a Scientific Thesis, but an Historical Record. Like any historical document, the Bible relies on eyewitnesses: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” The Bible relies on eyewitnesses. “ Or “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.”
Perhaps the conflict between the two arises from the different perspectives of exploration and research. I think maybe it is like the genetic code which is a weaving of strands with defined connectivity.
God is in all things. His essence and nature are revealed throughout all Creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” (Psalm 19)
