Science and the Bible

Romans 10:17 (KJV) - So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It is hard to believe that there was once a time when science and the Bible were not in opposition.

Long ago, the goal of science was to try to explain the observable works and laws of God visible in nature.

Science looked at God's creation and proposed theories about that creation. It then designed experiments intended to either prove or disprove those theories. Those experiments would then be performed and the results carefully observed. Then, conclusions would be drawn.

Somewhere along the way, however, the goal of science underwent a change.

Rather than seeking to understand God's creation, men of science decided that the pursuit of science was the path to enlightenment. Science would now attempt to disprove God's involvement in both creation and the natural laws in place.

In all fairness, one has to admit that science has a proven track record of being wrong.

For example, science at one time concluded that the earth was flat and that getting too close to the edge would put one in danger of falling off. We now know that such is not the case.

Science then changed it's mind and determined that the earth was not flat but rather a sphere. Furthermore, this sphere was at the center of everything and that all celestial bodies revolved around it. Once again, we now know that this is also inaccurate.

The science of medicine is not immune to error. Science at one time concluded that sickness was the result of bad blood and that the remedy was for the one sick to visit a barber in order to have that bad blood removed. This borders on the unbelievable today.

I could continue, but I think I have been hard enough on science.

Science does the best it can based on the information it has available. Yet it often draws incorrect conclusions.

As time goes by and new information comes to light science revises its theories, experiments and conclusions.

I am not anti-science. I have benefited from the things it has gotten right.

Modern technology, medicine and other advances have made my life both better and easier.

Yet, based on its proven track record of being wrong, I can hardly place my faith in science.

The Bible on the other hand is something in which I can find solid ground for my faith.

It has a timeless quality and is completely reliable.

God uses His Word to reveal truth.

The truth about who He is.

The truth about what He has done for us.

The truth about how He provided for our salvation through Jesus Christ.

Science, if properly applied, can give us glimpses of God and His creation in tangible and provable ways.

For far too long science and the Bible have been in opposing camps.

How wonderful it would be for the two to come back together again.

Between the two, only science has the capacity to move. So far, it has been reluctant to do so.

This is unfortunate.

If properly interpreted and applied, each could shed light upon the other.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, November 5, 2010.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I'll be back here on Friday, November 12, 2010.

A Mansion Was Not For Her

Matthew 6:19-21 (ASV)
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.

A few years ago, I took Mother out for a drive one Saturday.

The land was relatively flat where we lived and the Texas Hill Country was just a few miles away. I thought this change of scenery would do us both some good.

I suggested this little trip and she readily agreed.

We set out and about an hour later, we reached the very first hills.

I periodically glanced in her direction and observed her taking in the scenery.

A short time later, we entered an affluent area and in one of those periodic glances I noticed she was looking up.

Curiosity got the best of me.

"Mom, what are you looking at?", I asked.

She replied, "I'm looking at those houses on the tops of those hills. I would not like living there."

Mother grew up in the Great Depression era and had no idea just how expensive those homes and land holdings really were. These homes were owned by people with fantastic incomes.

I could not let this opportunity pass by.

"Mom, I promise you here and now that I will never force you to live in one of those homes," I stated. It was a promise made in jest since I knew I would never have the means to do so. Neither did I aspire to.

Mother was called home by the Lord not long afterward and I know that according to scripture she is in His presence.

Nothing this world has to offer could compete with that.

I also know that heaven far surpasses anything I can imagine.

John 14:1-2 (ASV) - Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

I also know Mother has a place there. I am as sure of that as I am sure that I am writing this.

I also know I will see her there some day.

Those who have given their lives to Jesus have that assurance.

I know she gave her life to Jesus because she helped me to do the same.

Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, October 15 and Friday, October 22, 2010.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I'll be back here on Friday, October 29, 2010.