In this blog we will look at many of the links between the message of the bible and modern scientific research and understanding. I believe that advances in scientific knowledge of nature and how things work does not disprove the existence of God, but rather supports the presence of the designer of the universe.
The word science comes from the Latin word Scientia which means “having knowledge.” It’s a systematic study of the nature of all things known in the universe, and how they work. The accumulated data from research provides us with a body of knowledge to discern the patterns and operation of all nature more comprehensively through testing and analysis.
In Hebrew, the word for knowledge da’at דעת is used in Genesis 2 for the tree of the knowledge hada’at הדעת of good and evil. The biblical narrative and the study of its precepts might be best defined from two aspects. One is the supernatural presence and communication with the Creator and the second as man’s struggle to know, to understand the reason for existence and possibly, the greatest philosophical question of all, ‘how can something come from nothing?’
Modern science and the age-old pursuit for understanding of our existence has evolved to our present categorization of the term science. The following definition is from the University Encyclopedia of Philosophy.[1]
The term “science” as it is currently used also became common only in the nineteenth century. Prior to this, what we call “science” was referred to as “natural philosophy” or “experimental philosophy.” William Whewell (1834) standardized the term “scientist” to refer to practitioners of diverse natural philosophies. Philosophers of science have attempted to demarcate science from other knowledge-seeking endeavors, in particular religion.
Presently, scientists earn a PhD, Doctor of Philosophy, having completed the required studies in their field of choice (eg. Physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, astronomy etc.). Scientists then, as philosophers, comment on their research of nature, humanity’s role in it and the origin and mechanics of the universe.
One well known physicist, Thomas W. Campbell, exemplifies the philosophical connection as he has become a voice calling for mankind to reach for a higher moral standard. In his book, My Big Toe , he stresses the need to attain a love based versus fear based social order.
Science and religion, each in their own way, preach the gospel of hope and promise deliverance to the Promised Land of good and plenty.
The concept of consciousness quality and its relationship to spiritual quality will firm up later when it is more precisely described and given a technical definition. In the meantime, let me say this: Spiritual growth, personal growth, improving the quality of your consciousness, evolving your being, increasing your capacity to love, and decreasing the entropy (chaos, disorder) of your consciousness are all essentially synonymous and equivalent.
Establishing logical scientific connections that interrelate physics, spirituality, consciousness, and love is not as goofy or impossible as it appears – [2]
I believe the connections that interrelate science, the prophetic writings of the Bible are not coincidental. There are clear patterns of programing and replication that fit into a universal framework of life that we are only beginning to unravel and understand. There is foreknowledge of events in the Bible that bears witness to design and guidance, purposely leading all mankind to unity, love and conformity with the fundamental laws of creation. It is my intention in this Blog to present the God of Abraham as the author, loving Creator and Father who has given us charge over His creation. It is His intent that we mature to become His loving, obedient children.
[1] Religion and Science, 1/17/17 https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/religion-science/
[2] My Big Toe: A Trilogy Unifying Philosophy, Physics and Metaphysics page 157