Redeeming Science

by Poythress, Vern S.

• ISBN13: 9781581347319
• ISBN10: 1581347316
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-13
• Publisher: Crossway Books

Summary

Many people think science is antagonistic to Christian belief. Science, it is said, shows that the universe is billions of years old, while the Bible says it is only thousands of years old. And some claim that science shows supernatural miracles are impossible. These and other points of contention cause some Christians to view science as a threat to their beliefs.Redeeming Scienceattempts to kindle our appreciation for science as it ought to be-science that could serve as a path for praising God and serving fellow human beings. Through examining the wonderfully complex and immutable laws of nature, author Vern Poythress explains, we ought to recognize the wisdom, care, and beauty of God. A Christian worldview restores a true response to science, where we praise the God who created nature and cares for it."Poythress shows how a proper understanding of biblical theology makes possible not just one but many credible harmonizations of biblical and scientific truth. Along the way, he provides an insightful defense of the theory of intelligent design as a viable scientific research program. His examination of the mathematical beauty inherent in the universe gives yet another compelling reason to acknowledge the wisdom and design that lie behind physical reality." Stephen C. Meyer, Director, Center for Science and Culture, Discovery Institute"With doctorates in both New Testament and mathematics, and with a solid commitment to orthodox Reformed theology, Vern Poythress is uniquely qualified to write on the theology of science. This is by far the most important book you can read on this subject. I recommend it without reservation." John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando"Poythress demonstrates just how natural the partnership is between science and Christianity. Using examples from a variety of scientific disciplines, he gives a prescription for how science and the Christian faith can interact in a way that mutually benefits both." Fazale Rana, Vice President of Science Apologetics, Reasons to Believe"Not only does this book offer a theological perspective rooted in the historic Reformation, it also attends to strategies of interpretation of Bible texts concerning nature and history that underwrite doctrine but are often left out of the dialogue." Jitse van der Meer, Professor of Biology and History and Philosophy of Science, Redeemer University College, Ancaster, Ontario"Sound theology meets sound science in this book as Vern Poythress shows us how to see the beauty of Godrs"s character revealed in everything that scientists study in the created universe." Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Bible, Phoenix Seminary, Scottsdale, Arizona"Poythressrs"s analysis of the relationship between science and faith proceeds from an unapologetic, undisguised confession of belief in Christ, clear-minded evaluation of the nature of science, careful analysis of Scripture, and honest reflection on the present state of this debate." T. M. Moore, Pastor of Teaching Ministries, Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, Tennessee; author,Consider the Lilies: A Plea for Creational Theology

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION: SCIENCE MIXING WITH PEOPLE	9	(122)
1 WHY SCIENTISTS MUST BELIEVE IN GOD: DIVINE ATTRIBUTES OF SCIENTIFIC LAW	13	(20)
2 THE ROLE OF THE BIBLE	33	(16)
3 KNOWLEDGE FROM WHOSE AUTHORITY?	49	(20)
4 CREATION	69	(10)
5 ISSUES WITH GENESIS 1 AND SCIENCE	79	(8)
6 THE TEACHING IN GENESIS 1	87	(12)
7 EVALUATING MODERN SCIENCE ON THE AGE OF THE EARTH	99	(8)
8 EVALUATING THEORIES ON THE AGE OF THE EARTH	107	(6)
9 THE 24-HOUR-DAY AND MATURE CREATION VIEWS	113	(18)
10 THE ANALOGICAL DAY THEORY AND THE FRAMEWORK VIEW	131	(18)
11 THE ROLE OF MANKIND IN SCIENCE	149	(20)
12 THE ROLE OF CHRIST AS REDEEMER IN SCIENCE	169	(8)
13 THE WORD OF GOD IN SCIENCE	177	(10)
14 TRUTH IN SCIENCE AND IN LIFE	187	(10)
15 DEBATES ABOUT WHAT IS REAL: THE CHARACTER OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE	197	(18)
16 ORDINARY EXPERIENCE OF THE WORLD IN RELATION TO SCIENTIFIC THEORY	215	(10)
17 THE RELATION OF CREATION TO RE-CREATION	225	(10)
18 THE MYSTERY OF LIFE	235	(24)
19 ORIGIN OF NEW KINDS OF LIFE: INTELLIGENT DESIGN	259	(26)
20 GOD AND PHYSICAL DISPLAYS	285	(8)
21 A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY	293	(24)
22 A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO MATHEMATICS	317	(22)
23 CONCLUSION: SERVING GOD	339	(2)
APPENDIX 1: THE FRAMEWORK VIEW OF GENESIS 1	341	(6)
APPENDIX 2: MORE ON TRIANGULAR NUMBERS	347	(6)
BIBLIOGRAPHY ON THEOLOGY OF SCIENCE	353	(14)
GENERAL INDEX	367	(8)
SCRIPTURE INDEX	375