The Science of Life and the God of Life Chapter 1

God and Science People are looking to science to answer all the questions. People are looking to science to answer all the questions. –Disease Cures –Cloning –Stem Cell Research –Bible teaches that things are getting worse and the God is the source of all that is good. But…some people claim that science advancements are improving man’s existence and this will continue to get better. –How do you know what to believe????

Science Basic Definition: A body of facts that man has gathered by observing the physical universe. Basic Definition: A body of facts that man has gathered by observing the physical universe. –Facts – something that is true Problem: How do we know what is true? Problem: How do we know what is true?

Truth What Everybody Believes What Everybody Believes –Grammar Rules –Spelling –Procedures to follow Hippocrates – believed in “Doctrine of Humors” – living things are composed of four fluids (humors). Fluids must be correctly proportioned for health. Hippocrates – believed in “Doctrine of Humors” – living things are composed of four fluids (humors). Fluids must be correctly proportioned for health. People accepted this for centuries. People accepted this for centuries.

Truth (Con’t) A Hunch That Works A Hunch That Works –Mathematics – arriving at the right answer by a wrong path….OK or not OK? –Doctrine of Signatures – Remedies were prescribed by the belief that God provided the “signature” cure. Yellow lichen used to cure Jaundice. Yellow lichen used to cure Jaundice. Liverwort used to cure liver diseases. Liverwort used to cure liver diseases. –If it did cure the disease it was a coincidence.

Truth (Con’t) Repeated Observations Repeated Observations –Something becomes true solely because it can be repeated. The boy who cried wolf. The boy who cried wolf. A magician “levitates” a person repeatedly…does that mean that the Law of Gravity is wrong? A magician “levitates” a person repeatedly…does that mean that the Law of Gravity is wrong?

Truth (Con’t) That Which Is Logical That Which Is Logical –Some people believe that if it makes sense it must be true. –Logical Reasoning Inductive Reasoning – begins with a number of observed facts and uses them to derive a general conclusion. Boys vs. Girls eating. Inductive Reasoning – begins with a number of observed facts and uses them to derive a general conclusion. Boys vs. Girls eating. Deductive Reasoning – begins with general principles assumed to be true and draws conclusions about specifics Deductive Reasoning – begins with general principles assumed to be true and draws conclusions about specifics

Truth (Con’t) That Which Is Accepted by Faith That Which Is Accepted by Faith –Faith is what a person believes –Everyone has their own beliefs –Problem: No Absolutes –If a person does not believe in hell…that hell no longer exist?

Truth (Con’t) The Word of God The Word of God –John 14:6 –A person must accept the truth of the Bible by faith….however the physical world around us testifies to the power of God

God’s Truth and Science Revealed truth: those truths God has recorded in Scripture Revealed truth: those truths God has recorded in Scripture Unrevealed truth: those truths, the natural laws, that God established but did not reveal in Scripture Unrevealed truth: those truths, the natural laws, that God established but did not reveal in Scripture Fallacy: any statement not a part of revealed or unrevealed truth Fallacy: any statement not a part of revealed or unrevealed truth

Statement Categories Revealed truth: that which is revealed in Scripture, whether or not man has scientifically proved it. If it is in the Bible, it is already true without requiring proof Revealed truth: that which is revealed in Scripture, whether or not man has scientifically proved it. If it is in the Bible, it is already true without requiring proof Theory: that which is thought to be true, is not revealed truth but may be a part of unrevealed truth Theory: that which is thought to be true, is not revealed truth but may be a part of unrevealed truth

Statement Categories (Con’t) Fallacy: that which contradicts God’s revealed truth, no matter how scientific, how commonly believed, or how apparently workable or logical it may seem; or that which is contradicted by scientific evidence Fallacy: that which contradicts God’s revealed truth, no matter how scientific, how commonly believed, or how apparently workable or logical it may seem; or that which is contradicted by scientific evidence Truth by definition: that which is true because man has defined it, as in mathematics, grammar, spelling, and the meanings of words. Truth by definition: that which is true because man has defined it, as in mathematics, grammar, spelling, and the meanings of words.

The Scientific Method A logical procedure for choosing an answer to a question. A logical procedure for choosing an answer to a question. –i.e. Choosing a ripe fruit. Choosing a ripe fruit. Choosing a correct path. Choosing a correct path. Choosing clothing. Choosing clothing. Should I wear a coat? Should I wear a coat?

The Scientific Method Problem – identifies or observes; research Problem – identifies or observes; research Hypothesis – an educated guess at the solution to the problem Hypothesis – an educated guess at the solution to the problem Experiment - observe and record data Experiment - observe and record data Analyze – classify and organize the data Analyze – classify and organize the data Conclusion – choose an answer Conclusion – choose an answer Verify – repeat the experiment and obtain identical results Verify – repeat the experiment and obtain identical results

Scientific Method Information Experiment vs. Survey Experiment vs. Survey Data – pieces of information Data – pieces of information Experiment – controlling all the conditions of two or more identical groups then altering only one factor within one group Experiment – controlling all the conditions of two or more identical groups then altering only one factor within one group –Independent Variable – the experimental variable –Experimental Group – one exposed to in. variable –Dependent Variable – factor that results from or is dependent on the Independent Variable

The Limits of Science Scientific investigations must deal with physical phenomena because experiments or surveys must have observable, measurable data to support a conclusion. Scientific investigations must deal with physical phenomena because experiments or surveys must have observable, measurable data to support a conclusion. The beginning of life, the future, and spiritual concepts such as heaven, angels, man’s soul, and hell cannot be observed or measured; they are beyond the domain of science. The beginning of life, the future, and spiritual concepts such as heaven, angels, man’s soul, and hell cannot be observed or measured; they are beyond the domain of science. All that can be known about these things is revealed in Scripture. These are a matter of faith. All that can be known about these things is revealed in Scripture. These are a matter of faith.

The Limits of Science Science must deal with observable, measurable phenomena. Science must deal with observable, measurable phenomena. Science can only describe, not explain. Science can only describe, not explain. No experiment can be completely controlled. No experiment can be completely controlled. Observations may be faulty. Observations may be faulty. Man’s beliefs affect his judgment. Man’s beliefs affect his judgment. Science must deal with repeatable results. Science must deal with repeatable results. Science cannot deal with values or morals. Science cannot deal with values or morals. Science cannot prove a universal statement. Science cannot prove a universal statement. Science cannot establish truth. Science cannot establish truth.

Science and the Bible The Word of God and true science NEVER contradict each other!!! The Word of God and true science NEVER contradict each other!!! God created the world…man observes the world and makes statements. When the statement is true it lines up with the Bible…when the statement is false it may contradict the Bible. God created the world…man observes the world and makes statements. When the statement is true it lines up with the Bible…when the statement is false it may contradict the Bible. Evolution vs. Creation Evolution vs. Creation Electricity Electricity

The Proper Place of Science Bias – a strong opinion or belief that could affect a person’s judgment. Bias – a strong opinion or belief that could affect a person’s judgment. Workability – the ability to use information gained from scientific method in other circumstances to predict outcomes. Workability – the ability to use information gained from scientific method in other circumstances to predict outcomes. –Michigan is the best college football team –Everyone should have a dog!

Biology and the Study of Life Bio – life; logos – study of (literally - word) Bio – life; logos – study of (literally - word) Living Condition – must contain: Living Condition – must contain: –Exhibit movement – internal or external –Achieve growth – growth by assimilation – the assembling of the component parts that make up their living material –Reproduces – must be capable of reproduction – making of another similar organism

Comes from similar preexisting life – biogenesis is now widely accepted therefore no need for spontaneous generation. Comes from similar preexisting life – biogenesis is now widely accepted therefore no need for spontaneous generation. –Variations are acceptable – weight, color, Has similar chemical makeup – all things are made up of the same basic chemical elements in similar compounds. Has similar chemical makeup – all things are made up of the same basic chemical elements in similar compounds. Is composed of cells – every living thing is made of either a single cell or many cells – units of protoplasm (the living material of an organism) Is composed of cells – every living thing is made of either a single cell or many cells – units of protoplasm (the living material of an organism)

Exhibits irritability – the capacity of an organism to respond to stimuli. Exhibits irritability – the capacity of an organism to respond to stimuli. Requires energy – all living things required a constant supply of energy Requires energy – all living things required a constant supply of energy Maintains a high level or organization – being alive requires molecules to be highly organized Maintains a high level or organization – being alive requires molecules to be highly organized Faces death – all things that are alive will eventually die Faces death – all things that are alive will eventually die LIFE – can be defined as a highly organized cellular condition that is derived from preexisting life; that requires energy to carry on processes such as growth, movement, reproduction, and responses; and that faces death. LIFE – can be defined as a highly organized cellular condition that is derived from preexisting life; that requires energy to carry on processes such as growth, movement, reproduction, and responses; and that faces death. VERY important to understand as well as memorize!! VERY important to understand as well as memorize!!

Microscopy An instrument to aid the visualizing items too small for the naked eye. An instrument to aid the visualizing items too small for the naked eye. Parts: Parts: –Eyepiece lens – magnifies the image –Body tube – tube between eye piece and objective lens –Objective lens – magnifies and gathers light –Stage - where specimen is placed –Condenser – focuses light –Light source - light –Coarse and fine adjustment – focuses image by moving stage up or down

Microscope An instrument to aid the visualizing items too small for the naked eye. An instrument to aid the visualizing items too small for the naked eye. Parts: Parts: –Eyepiece lens – magnifies the image –Body tube – tube between eye piece and objective lens –Objective lens – magnifies and gathers light –Stage - where specimen is placed –Condenser – focuses light –Light source - light –Coarse and fine adjustment – focuses image by moving stage up or down