1. Christianity: Belief & Science
Revision

2. AREA 1:
METHODS OF ARRIVING AT HUMAN UNDERSTANDING
Revelation of God’s Nature: God showing who he is by what he does through:
Scripture
General Revelation
Special Revelation
Traditions of the Church
Religious Experience
Order & Design

3. Revelation of God through Scripture (Bible, Old & New Testaments)
Divinely inspired or guided
Literal, symbolic or a mixture of both
Can be read by anyone and if taken literally you don’t have to guess at what God wants
Is a complicated text and has been written by human hands that may have influenced meanings

4. General Revelation
Can be seen through:
Creation
Deliverance from suffering e.g. Exodus of Jews
Awareness of his presence, conscience?
Only have to look around at beauty & order and the power that must have created it
Doesn’t have had to have been ‘God’
There is a lot of violence in existence

5. Special Revelation
God becoming human in form of Jesus
Visions, dreams, appearances, miracles etc.
Jesus was ultimate revelation with God’s message
Miracles etc. point to power over laws of physics
What other explanation can there be?
Jesus was simply a good man – there is no proof he was God; maybe he only thought he was
Miracles etc. are just exaggerated stories or things that were misunderstood at the time due to lack of scientific knowledge
People hear voices all the time – it doesn’t have to point to God

6. Revelation through the Traditions of the Church
Beliefs and practices of a particular branch of Christianity
The Church has kept its traditions for 2000 years
The people in the Church have been ‘called’ to represent God
The Church has changed over time and leadership has never been stable; it is mixed up with politics & culture of history
The people in Church are only ‘human’

7. Revelation through Religious Experience
People have claimed to experience numinous; either sudden flash or slow realisation
People have found meaning in major life events
Claims of seeing visions, angels or having messages delivered in dreams; or just the feeling of an awareness
The experiences are life-changing
People describe them as very real
Happen unexpectedly
There is a history of them happening
Peoples lives change all the time, doesn’t mean its due to God
Some experiences have led to negative things e.g. cults
Why are they random and relatively few?
Illness, drugs or a heightened state of emotion alters the chemistry of the brain producing strange reactions

8. Revelation through Order and Design
Universe is just right for its purpose
Universe is ordered and has regularity
The vastness and complexity of the world points to a designer – God
The beauty & order points to a loving God
Why does the universe need a creator and if so why did it have to be God? Who created him if this is the case?
Nature is full of violence and suffering e.g. natural disasters & animals having to kill to survive

9. Why is Revelation Important in Christianity?
We cannot understand our purpose in life if we don’t understand God’s message
This not only affects us now but also in the afterlife
God doesn’t need to reveal himself but we are obviously important to him
He always has and always will reveal himself
All arguments are open to debate & interpretation
The ‘evidence’ is not very strong – why isn’t he more direct?
How much is true and how much has been edited by human hands?

10. Sources of Human Understanding: Scientific Method
Experiment
Observation
Hypothesis
Research
Verification or falsification
Generalisation
Prediction
Theory or law
Paradigm
All should allow replication
Uses inductive method: observations  theories  laws
Theories are never proven only supported.

11. Scientific method (cont.)
It does not ‘hold on’ to beliefs but welcomes new evidence whether it supports or rejects previously held laws or paradigms
It changes theories to fit the evidence – not changing the evidence to fit the theory.
Takes into account all possibilities
Other people can test and verify or falsify hypotheses
Leads to laws/theories that cover similar occurrences
We can never be sure we have covered all possibilities
Exact replication may not be possible and findings are always open to interpretation
Every apparently similar occurrence may not be covered

12. The scientific method is a way to test our ‘common sense’ understanding of things.
This is done using the deductive method i.e. what we see usually leads to assumptions. E.g.
people believed the world was flat; science showed it wasn’t.
complexity & wonder of nature shows that God designed it; science gives an alternative theory
The Full Moon Effect (people’s behaviour changes); science has found no evidence to support this
Common sense based on actual experience
Deductive reasoning can save us ‘reinventing the wheel’
Common sense approaches are often not up to date
People are not always open to common sense being challenged
Deductive reasoning only works if your assumptions are correct so not as effective as inductive reasoning

13. Scientific Method is open to verification & falsification.
Laws have been changed over time and will continue to do so as more evidence is uncovered
Science can only verify or falsify things within its scope
Verification is based on proper scientific enquiry
Suitable scientific tests are devised to test hypotheses
It gives reliable ways to understand the universe
Evidence is open to interpretation
Some things are outwith scientific scope
Some would argue we need mystery in our lives

14. Scientific Models
Science uses models to understand difficult concepts
They can predict results in the absence of hard evidence
Can lead to tried and tested paradigms on which further testing can be based
However good a model is it is not the real thing
Predictions are always open to interpretations
Some scientists find it hard to accept challenges to cherished paradigms

15. Scientific Objectivity
Scientists are objective meaning their views are based on solid evidence
Objectivity safeguards against scientists ‘twisting’ evidence
Evidence is always open to interpretation
It is extremely difficult to remain 100% objective. Some great scientists have followed their ‘gut feelings’ with success.

16. Scientific Method Summarised
It is based on rigorous, methodical approach where the ‘truth’ is based on best evidence available
Evidence always remains open to challenge and change if necessary
It is the most reliable way of explaining the world around us
It has flaws which could mean unreliable or misinterpreted theories
Can lead to competing claims and scientists are not as open to change as they might think
It is limited in what it can explain

17. Some Christian responses to the Scientific Method
Ordinary people can’t always understand scientific theory
The meaning of life comes from our own actions
Science is anti-religion
Science provides power & knowledge that is too much for humans to handle
It makes humans think they are God
Scientific method is full of flaws so we should be wary
Scientists’ own beliefs affect their results
A lot of scientific evidence is circumstantial not ‘real’
Science involves interpretations, assumptions and leaps of logic and this weakens the scientific method.

18. Some Scientific Materialist Responses to Religious Belief
Religion is a dangerous delusion
It holds humanity back
Religion relies on blind faith
Religion is not open to questions and challenges
The contradictions and illogical things in the Bible point to it just being a story
Religious belief is extremely subjective especially religious experiences which cannot be tested
Revelation is confusing, unclear, contradicts itself and is not consistent, making it unreliable

19. Acceptance of Both Revelation and Scientific Enquiry
Religion and science do not need to try and contradict each other; they are just different ways of understanding (NOMA)
Belief in God requires faith not evidence; not blind faith but faith supported by reason and teachings
Religion doesn’t have to be tested just accepted
Some people believe that religion lets them understand spiritual questions and science physical ones (NOMA)
Not everything can be tested so belief/faith fills that gap
There is evidence for religious claims if you are prepared to accept it but it doesn’t necessarily mean a scientific explanation is wrong.
Maybe God ‘does’ science too so the theories can complement each other rather than contradict.

20. Area 2: God Created the Universe
Literal Understanding
God is the creator of everything
As in Genesis 1
If its in the Bible it is true
God has special powers
The Bible is a book of faith not science
Requires only faith to understand
Can be accepted as it is with no need of interpretation or analysing
Doesn’t take into account scientific evidence that contradicts it
It is so simple it rejects the intelligence God gave man
If Genesis is to be taken literally then so should everything else in the Bible some of which isn’t acceptable today

21. Symbolic Interpretation
It may be true but in a symbolic way
God’s special powers are portrayed in ways we can understand
By matching the religious claims with that of science it can still be a book of faith
God is the creator but the ‘story’ is symbolism & myth
Allows explanation of things in a more believable way
Allows the use of God-given intelligence
Accepting some of scientific explanations prevents getting to a point where faith & science clash

22. Aquinas’s Cosmological (First Cause) Argument
Thomas Aquinas (1224 – 1274) argued
Everything has a cause
Every cause has a cause
This cannot go back forever
There must have been an uncaused cause to start the chain
That can only be God
Therefore God must have been the First Cause
Everything is contingent (relies on something else)
God isn’t contingent, God is a necessary being
God created everything out of nothing (ex nihilo)

23. Accepting the First Cause Argument
It is a matter of faith
Does away with the need that everything goes back in time infinitely
The Argument fits in with what most Christians already believe
God is a special case so he doesn’t need a cause

24. Rejecting the First Cause Argument
You can’t say everything needs a cause except God. If that is the case why can’t you say the universe doesn’t need a cause?
Quantum physics has shown some things do appear without a cause; this would do away with the need for an uncaused cause i.e. God
By saying God is the cause of all causes means there is an even bigger creator than him which makes the problem worse
Even if the universe was created why does if have to be the Christian idea of God?
Maybe it was God but what’s to say he is still around?

25. Religious Explanations of the Origin of the Universe Summary
It is based on ‘evidence’ from the creator himself
Gives a simple & understandable account of universe’s origins
Gives a meaning & purpose to life
Suggests a creator that cares for us
Its based on belief only, with no scientific support
Uses texts and philosophical arguments that are open to interpretations

26. The Big Bang Explains the Origin of the Universe
At this instant, matter, time, energy and space were created
It does not require a creator – it ‘created’ itself
It has evidence to support the theory:
Expanding Universe which implies an explosive beginning
Cosmic Background Radiation; the radioactive ‘heat’ is what scientists would expect to find from this type of ‘explosion’
Relative Abundance of the Elements: the materials present and the quantities they are in are also what scientists would expect to find
The search for the ‘initial conditions’ still continue

27. There is strong evidence to support the theory from a variety of scientific fields
It offers a balanced & reasoned explanation for something that happened when no-one was around to witness it
Much of the evidence is circumstantial (inferred) not empirical
It is so complex it is difficult for ordinary people to understand
Gives no explanation of purpose & meaning of life

28. Some Christian views on the Big Bang
The Big Bang theory is wrong; there is no mention of it in the Bible
It is based on assumptions & interpretations which might be wrong
There is contradictory evidence in science
Supporters of Intelligent Design argue there is scientific support for the belief in creation by God

29. Some scientific materialists views on religious belief of creation
The Big Bang theory is right and will be backed up by further evidence in the future
Interpretations of evidence are not ‘blind’; they use reason & logic
The theory isn’t perfect but the best we have
The Genesis account is not scientifically valid
It removes the need for a creator

30. Both Can Contribute To Understanding Of Origins Of Universe
The NOMA argument suggests you can believe in both
Science explains the physical, religion the spiritual
Creation by God is outside science’s scope
Christians can accept the Big bang theory if they do not understand Genesis literally
God may have started the Big Bang and science can explain it from there

31. God created Human Life
As described in Genesis 1 & 2: Adam & Eve made in God’ likeness, disobeyed god & banished from Garden of Eden
Literalists believe this word for word
Therefore Earth is only a few thousand years old
Liberalists believe it is a metaphor and allegory and only has symbolic meaning
Therefore relates to spiritual not physical matters

32. Paley’s Teleological Argument or Design Argument
Proposed by William Paley (1743 – 1805)
As a watch is created by an intelligent designer so too must the whole universe
The universe is too complex and complicated for it to have happened by chance (Anthropic Principle)
That creator could only be God
Therefore God must exist and he created the universe
Intelligent Designer?

33. Accepting the Teleological ( or Design) Argument
The conditions on earth are just right for life
Such precise conditions are unlikely to have happened by chance
It must have had a designer
The logical conclusion is the designer is God

34. Rejecting the TeIeoIogical Argument
Maybe it was designed but maybe it wasn’t the Christian God
Maybe it was a team of ‘Gods’
It begs the question ‘Who designed God?’
Why did the universe need a cause if God didn’t?
Maybe the laws of physics are ‘God’?
The universe & earth are by no means perfect; sustainment of life requires the death of other plants and/or animals. How does this point to an intelligent designer?
Luck rather than order seems to reign; there is no order in natural disasters. They are random acts causing suffering to innocent people.
The anthropic principle says the conditions have been made perfect for life. It is the other way around - life is here because of the conditions.

35. Human Life Emerged as a Result of the Process of Evolution
A living thing depends on fitting its environment to survive e.g. climate, food source
Those which adapted survived (through random mutation)
These adaptations were passed on through the genes to next generations to ensure survival
Nature selects those fit for survival
If the environment changes only those who can adapt to the change can survive to pass on the genes
This is natural selection
Darwin had a lot of evidence for this theory e.g. fossil evidence & geographical diversity (different environments showing different adaptions for survival)
Everything that is alive today (10% of all known species) has adapted to environment as it is now – any changes to environment means these will have to adapt again to survive

36. Darwin’s theory was based on circumstantial evidence but has since been backed up by discoveries in DNA
DNA mutates randomly; when this mutation is beneficial to a living thing it increases its chance of survival
DNA is major driving force behind evolution
DNA & natural selection is therefore a ‘blind’ process that doesn’t require a creator
Life began in a primordial soup where inorganic elements somehow became organic
Humans evolved through the same process meaning we share origins with other primates
Therefore human life is just another life form

37. Darwin meticulously researched his theory using different disciplines such as biology & geology
Provides a working explanation of what we can see such as biodiversity & similarities between species as well as explaining extinction
Supported by recent discoveries such as DNA
Since it is a ‘blind’ process there is no need for God and therefore an explanation for God’s origins
Much of Darwin’s theory is circumstantial & inferred which leaves it open to interpretation
There are gaps in the theory such as incomplete fossil records
Doesn’t answer the meaning & purpose of life

38. Interpretation 1: The Bible’s Creation Story is Right
The Bible creation story is true therefore humans didn’t evolve
It is based on belief & faith and rejects science
Some Christians accept Genesis as symbolic. It is not a scientific explanation but as a way to explain what human life is for
It is clear – if the Bible says its true then it is true
It gives answers to the meaning & purpose of life
Uses the truth in the bible to back up the truth in the Bible – a circular argument open to debate
Does not take any scientific evidence into account

39. Intelligent Design
Supporters of Intelligent Design argue that there
is scientific evidence supporting creation of
human life by God, e.g. irreducible complexity.
There is a strong scientific basis for Intelligent Design
Does away with the need to use only the Bible to support God as the creator
Suggests credible alternatives to the flaws in Darwinism
Scientific argument is complex and could be beyond ordinary people including Christians
Implies the Bible story is not enough
Still doesn’t prove the Christian idea of God created life. Leads back to ‘who designed God?’ Schoolboy Objection

40. Interpretation 2: Evolutionary Theory (ET) is Right
Scientific materialists (SM) argue that the evidence for ET is vast
It’s the best explanation even if its not perfect
SM reject theories of ID e.g. even if theory of ID are correct it doesn’t prove God was creator
SM say ID is ‘bad science’ or science interpreted in a way to suit their theory i.e. one already based on a creator, God

41. Interpretation 3: Both Revelation & Theory of Evolution Contribute to Understanding of the Origin of Universe
Some people accept both at the same time
Evolution may be the mechanism God used to create & regulate life on earth
ET can answer physical aspects & Revelation the meaning & purpose of life
Both believe life is valuable and should be cherished