Chapter 9.1 This session covers the following content: Science: Different Models Shaped by Worldview and Interpretation 1. Science is Not Neutral Friedrich Nietzsche: “Facts are precisely what there is not, only interpretations.” – All observations are filtered through interpretation. Stephen Jay Gould: "Theory, habit, prejudice, and culture all influence the facts we choose to observe and the way in which we perceive them." – Even in science, facts are not objective starting points, but shaped by worldview. 2. Underlying Metaphysics: Science rests on deeper, often unspoken assumptions that fall under metaphysics, which includes: -Theology – Does God exist? Is He knowable? - Ontology – What is ultimately real? (Matter only? Spirit and matter?) - Universal Science – What are the first causes or foundational principles behind everything? Summary Insight: Science is not a single, objective enterprise, but a system of inquiry that varies based on underlying metaphysical commitments. Different models of science—naturalistic, theistic, or otherwise—arise depending on: - What one believes about God (Theology) - What one believes is real (Ontology) - What one assumes about origins and causes (Universal Science)
Chapter 9.2 This session covers the following content: Evolutionary Theory: Cultural Context: Western, Naturalistic Worldview Metaphysics - Theology: God does not exist - Ontology: Only matter exists (closed system) - First Cause: Natural, unguided processes Epistemology (Source of Knowledge): - Primary: Human Reason - Secondary: Empirical Observation (Senses) Core Beliefs of Evolutionary Theory: - The natural world is all that exists - The cosmos consists only of natural elements - The cosmos functions solely through natural processes - A Creator God (including the God of the Bible) cannot exist Two Main Versions of Evolutionary Theory: a. Darwinian Evolution (Classical View) - Theology: God does not exist - Ontology: Matter-only reality, closed system - First Cause: Natural unfolding through slow, gradual, random changes to existing life forms Key Proponent: Richard Dawkins b. Punctuated Equilibrium (Revised View) - Theology: God does not exist - Ontology: Matter-only reality, closed system - First Cause: Natural unfolding through abrupt, revolutionary, random changes that produce new structures rapidly Key Proponents: Stephen Jay Gould & Niles Eldredge Philosophical Influence: Reflects a Marxist worldview, emphasizing revolutionary shifts Summary Insight: While both versions of evolutionary theory reject the supernatural and operate within a closed, material system, they differ in how change occurs—gradually (Darwinian) or in rapid bursts (Punctuated Equilibrium).
Chapter 9.3 This session covers the following content: Intelligent Design Theory: What are the main tenets? Source of Reliable Knowledge: - Primary Source: a. Human Reason - Secondary Sources: b. Empiricism c. External Authority: A Designer Culture: Western Metaphysics: - Theology: God Can Exist - Ontology: Matter/Spirit - Closed/Open system - First Cause: Natural unfolding, Slow, Gradual, Random and Directed changes to existing structures. - Last Cause: Designer added complexity to evolving structures, Common Ancestry possible. Biology is the study of complicated things that give the appearance of having been designed for a purpose." R. Dawkins, The Blind Watchmaker, p. 1 "It is almost as though the universe had been consciously designed." Richard Morris, The Fate of the Universe, 1982, 155. According to Heraclitus (500 B.C.), the “λόγος” is the rational principle that orders the universe within a closed system. Core Belief: 1. This theory holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an external intelligent cause, not an undirected, internal process such as natural selection. “Biologists must constantly keep in mind that what they see was not designed, but rather evolved.” F. Crick, What Mad Pursuit, 1988, p 138. 2. The Bible is not considered a Source of Reliable Knowledge. Key proponents: This model is supported by William Demski and Michael Behe of the Discovery Institute.
Chapter 9.4 This session covers the following content: Theistic Evolution: Cultural Context: Rooted in Western culture, blending science and theology Sources of Reliable Knowledge: - Primary: Human Reason - Secondary: Empiricism (sensory experience) - External Authority – God, through Revelation Metaphysics: - Theology: God exists - Ontology: Both matter and spirit exist - System Type: Both open (allows for God) and closed (natural laws operate consistently) - First Cause: Natural unfolding through slow, gradual, random processes - Final Cause: God is the ultimate purpose behind creation Core Beliefs of Theistic Evolution: 1. The Bible is not a scientific textbook—it does not provide scientific details about origins 2. The Bible is a trustworthy source for spiritual and theological truth 3. Science and faith operate in separate spheres—science explains the how, Scripture reveals the why Genesis 1 is a theological declaration, not a literal or scientific account—meant to affirm monotheism and reject ancient myths Key proponents of this Model: The Catholic Church; Many evangelical seminaries and churches Summary Insight: Theistic Evolution sees God working through the natural processes described by evolutionary science. While it affirms divine purpose, it accepts the scientific consensus on the origin and development of life, interpreting Genesis as symbolic theology rather than literal history.
Chapter 9.5 This session covers the following content: Evolutionary Creationism: Cultural Context: Rooted in Western culture, seeks integration of science and Christian faith Sources of Reliable Knowledge: - Primary: Human Reason - Secondary: Empiricism (scientific observation) - External Authority – God through Revelation Metaphysics: - Theology: God exists; the study of the cosmos reveals His presence - Ontology: Both material and spiritual realities exist - System Type: Open system – God is actively involved in creation - First Cause: God initiated and sustains creation; life developed through common ancestry Core Beliefs: 1. Evolution is accepted as the best scientific explanation for the development of life on Earth 2. God acts purposefully in creation and continually sustains it 3. Christian orthodoxy affirmed: Belief in the Trinity, the full divinity and humanity of Christ, and the bodily resurrection 4. Humans are made in God’s image, are sinful, and are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone 5. Integrative approach: Not strictly science or theology, but a synthesis of the best scholarship from both 6. Affirms biblical miracles, prayer, and God's providential work through natural processes 7. Accepts scientific evidence for the common ancestry of all life, including humans—while affirming the unique dignity of humans as image-bearers of God Key proponents of this Model: Francis Collins (Geneticist, founder of the Human Genome Project) BioLogos Foundation Summary Insight: Evolutionary Creationism sees no conflict between faith in the God of the Bible and modern evolutionary science. It affirms God’s sovereign, purposeful action in a world understood through both Scripture and science, offering a deeply integrated Christian worldview.
Chapter 9.6 This session covers the following content: Old-Earth Creationism: Cultural Context: Western worldview Integrates biblical faith with modern science (especially geology and astronomy) Sources of Reliable Knowledge: - Primary: External Authority – God through Revelation (Scripture) - Secondary: Empiricism (scientific observation), Human Reason Metaphysics: - Theology: God exists; creation itself affirms His existence - Ontology: Both matter and spirit are real - System Type: Open system – God actively intervenes in creation - First Cause: God created all things; no common ancestry between humans and other life forms Core Beliefs: 1. The Bible and science both offer trustworthy knowledge about the origin of the universe—when correctly interpreted 2. The Bible does not specify the age of the Earth 3. The Flood was historical but did not create the fossil record; fossils largely predate humans 4. Animal death existed before the Fall of Adam and Eve 5. Some evolutionary change may have occurred, but humans and major life forms were specially created by God 6. Two main interpretive strategies for the Genesis creation account: - Gap Theory – a time gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 - Day-Age Theory – each "day" in Genesis represents a long geological age Key proponents of this model: Hugh Ross and the organization Reasons to Believe Summary Insight: Old-Earth Creationism affirms both the scientific evidence for an ancient universe and the truth of Scripture, proposing that God created life progressively over long periods of time, with distinct acts of creation rather than common ancestry.
Chapter 9.7 This session covers the following content: Young Earth Creationism: Cultural Context: Rooted in Western culture. Prioritizes Scripture as the supreme authority on origins Sources of Reliable Knowledge: - Primary: External Authority – God through Revelation (Scripture) - Secondary: Human Reason, Empiricism (science, interpreted through a biblical lens) Metaphysics: - Theology: God exists; creation reveals His nature - Ontology: Both spiritual and physical realms are real - System Type: Open system – God directly intervenes in creation - First Cause: God created all life directly, with no common ancestry Core Beliefs: 1. The Bible is the most reliable source of knowledge about the universe’s origin 2. Scientific evidence, when interpreted correctly, supports a literal interpretation of Genesis 3. The earth and universe were created 6,000–12,000 years ago (based on biblical genealogies and Anno Mundi calendar – currently year 5786) 4. No common ancestry – all life forms were specially created 5. The Flood of Noah caused most of the fossil record, not millions of years of gradual deposition 6. The Fall of Adam and Eve brought dramatic changes to the natural order, including the introduction of death and suffering 7. Humans are made in God’s image but now possess a fallen nature Key proponents of this model: Prominent in conservative evangelical circles Supported by organizations such as Answers in Genesis (AIG), Institute for Creation Research (ICR), and Creation Ministries International Summary Insight: Young Earth Creationism teaches that God created the universe recently, in six literal days, and that the Bible is the ultimate authority for understanding both spiritual truth and the origin of the cosmos. It sees modern science as useful but subordinate to Scripture.
Chapter 9.8 This session covers the following content: Young-Earth Creatorism: Cultural Context: Non-Western worldview. Rooted in spiritual dependence and divine revelation Sources of Reliable Knowledge: - Primary Source: External Authority – God through Revelation - Secondary Sources (all guided by the Holy Spirit): Rationalism (reason guided by the Spirit);Empiricism (observation through a spiritual lens) Metaphysics: - Theology: God exists; His attributes are revealed in creation - Ontology: Spiritual reality is fundamental and interacts with the physical - System Type: Open system – God is actively involved in creation - First Cause: God created all things directly, with no evolutionary common ancestry Core Beliefs: 1. Due to man's fallen nature, human reasoning is flawed; reliable knowledge requires dependence on the Holy Spirit (Spirit of Truth) 2. Faith precedes understanding – one must choose to believe in God first, as evidence alone cannot prove God's existence; all reasoning flows from that initial belief or unbelief. 3. The spiritual dimension is real and essential to understanding the physical world. 4. God's direct revelation (Scripture) and the Spirit’s guidance are the ultimate sources of truth. Summary Insight: Young-Earth Creatorism emphasizes that true understanding begins with faith in God and dependence on His Spirit. It challenges the idea of neutral, purely rational knowledge and asserts that all human interpretation is shaped by whether one begins with belief or unbelief in the Creator. The evidence of creation is not used to prove a Creator, He is already assumed, but to understand His attributes better.
Chapter 9.9 This session covers the following content: Summary of Science Models: Evolutionary Theory Based solely on natural processes like mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift. Fully aligned with Methodological Naturalism; no supernatural elements involved. Intelligent Design Theory Proposes that certain features of life are best explained by an intelligent cause, not undirected processes. Conflicts with Methodological Naturalism because it introduces non-natural (potentially supernatural) explanations. Theistic Evolution Theory God guides the evolutionary process. Attempts to reconcile religious belief with scientific evidence. Compatible in spirit with Methodological Naturalism if God's role is considered non-interventionist (outside of science). Evolutionary Creation Theory Similar to Theistic Evolution, but emphasizes that evolution is God’s method of creation. Tries to harmonize scripture with natural science. The supernatural aspect is outside the scope of science, but the scientific mechanisms align with Methodological Naturalism. Old-Earth Creation Theory Believes Earth is billions of years old but God created life in distinct acts. May accept some science (e.g., geology) but rejects evolutionary biology. Partially conflicts with Methodological Naturalism. Young-Earth Creation Theory Holds that Earth and life were created in six literal days, 6,000–10,000 years ago. Rejects most of modern science. Directly conflicts with Methodological Naturalism. Young-Earth Creator Theory Similar to Young-Earth Creation but often more rigid in literalism. Typically views science that contradicts scripture as flawed. Strongly at odds with Methodological Naturalism. Tenet of Modern-Day Science: Methodological Naturalism Definition: Science must rely only on natural explanations and empirical evidence—what can be observed, tested, and replicated. Implication: Supernatural beliefs (like miracles) are outside the realm of scientific evaluation. "While Super-Natural explanations may be important and have merit, they are not part of science." Applying Methodological Naturalism as a Filter: Using this framework, only models that offer testable, natural explanations (like Evolutionary Theory) fully qualify as scientific. Models that invoke a designer or divine intervention (like Intelligent Design or Young-Earth Creationism) fall outside the scope of science under this rule. Interesting Note: Darwin’s Peacock Dilemma “The sight of a feather in a peacock’s tail, whenever I gaze at it, makes me sick.” – Charles Darwin This quote reflects Darwin's struggle with explaining seemingly extravagantly designed traits through natural selection.