Do I have to choose between the Bible and Science?

Arjuna · 01-21-2009, 03:55 PM

Ok guys and gals, I am the Teaching/Preaching pastor of a Methodist church where we have about 2700 folks @ worship. We threw together a series for the new year called "Deal Breakers." Its design is to cast a large net and bring in folks who have never found satisfactory answers to some basic questions like: Why do bad things happen to good people? Can people from other religions go to heaven? Can you be a Christian without going to church? What happens when the church hurts someone? Is it ok to doubt? Is there anything that I can do that will keep me out of heaven? and of course, the one I posted as the title of this discussion.

My promise is to offer a Biblical perspective that reflects love, hospitality, hope, and healing (our mission). I know where I stand. I just wanted to hear your opinions to help me prepare my message in understanding all the different views out there. Of course, with 2700 folks, I am sure to be speaking to a plethora of perspectives. So, understanding I don't need a persuasive argument...just your opinion. Please no rhetoric or dogma.

Thanks for your insights and thoughts. God bless and have fun!

Leafrivermac · 01-21-2009, 06:13 PM

Shoot man, lets hear your opinion first. I'd like to basically hear what you think about "Can people from other religions go to heaven?", "Is there anything that I can do that will keep me out of heaven?", and "Do I have to choose between the Bible and Science?"

Vizsla Vince · 01-21-2009, 07:00 PM

Lets stay on topic, please.

I personally don't think we need to separate God from science. Everything in this world comes from God. Therefore, where else does science come from? God is the Alpha and the Omega and everything in between. It is silly to think that science would exist outside of God. IMO, God is revealed to us more fully in science. We get a better understanding of God's universe through science. The problems arise when some try to replace God with science. As far as separating the Bible from science, I read the Bible as a guide in faith and morals, not a science text book. Thats not how it was written, & thats not how I read it.

Arjuna · 01-21-2009, 07:18 PM

Thank you, Vizsla.

sachiko · 01-22-2009, 03:21 AM

I've previously posted, in other contexts, essentially what Vince just said, so I won't repeat it. There is no conflict between God and science.

May The Sheep Be With You

mudhead1s wife · 01-22-2009, 06:19 AM

I watched this movie called How Great is Our God by Loui Giglio (sp?) and it was amazing it talked about how big our God is by using the things that he created it is an awesome movie.

I also believe that God created everything and that science is there to help us learn more about Him, His personality. Through science we can glorify God in that way. But a theory is a theory, and should be taught as that. There are many mysteries that the bible says we will not find out. So even science does not have all the answers. As long as that is how it is viewed I see no problem in it whatsoever.

I learned through science that God created me, that He loves us enough to give us such a unique balance. You see if the earth were to swing out just a bit further we would all freeze, and a bit closer to the sun we would all burn up. Through science I learned how God gave us rainbows, a sign of His promise. It is the theories of how theplanets were made, how he created us, and how the dinosaurs died. But however science also has another explanation besides the zonk theory. Do you know what a spiral fracture is? Or how you get one? It comes from extreme force. I find it hard to believe that metoer showers were the culprit to the death of these creatures. In the bible it says that God opened up the firmament and let the rains pour down. This would have enough force to spiral fracture even the bones of the most massive dinosaurs.

LBR · 01-22-2009, 12:09 PM

Science generally says there is no God. Science says Christ couldn't have possibly walked on water, healed the sick, or risen from the dead. Science says we don't have a soul, and that a Biblical heaven does not exist. Science says we should put more faith in the theory of evolution than the Bible. The Bible tells us we cannot put our faith in both God and man--we must choose one or the other.

Chad

sachiko · 01-22-2009, 12:28 PM

As you can see, there are some fairly divergent views on that topic. As a college freshman, planning on, evenually, a Ph.D. in embryology, and a recent convert to Christianity, I'm happy to find that there is no real conflict between the Bible and science.

Just say "Yes" to wool socks

Vizsla Vince · 01-22-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: LBR

Science generally says there is no God. Science says Christ couldn't have possibly walked on water, healed the sick, or risen from the dead. Science says we don't have a soul, and that a Biblical heaven does not exist. Science says we should put more faith in the theory of evolution than the Bible. The Bible tells us we cannot put our faith in both God and man--we must choose one or the other.

Chad

I think you are confusing science with some who attempt to teach it or try to use science to support their own atheism. If you were to replace the word "science" with the phrase "some scientists", then your statement would make alot more sense.
Science is merely a process in which our limited intellect can better understand God's world. It is unfortunate that there have been athiests who have attempted (with some success) to usurp this gift from God in an attempt to prove He doesn't exist.
Science is a tool, much like a hammer or an axe. Used properly, it can yield wonderful creations. Misused, and the results can be catastrophic. Don't let the user of such a tool lead you to believe the TOOL is evil.

sachiko · 01-22-2009, 03:49 PM

As Vince states, science is just a way to investigate the natural world. It's a process, a method. And it's various subdivisions, biology, physics, paleontology, etc., are just collections of knowledge about various aspects of the natural world.

Science has no opinions nor does it have an agenda. Some scientists are atheists or agnostics of course, as are many non-scientists. Others are followers of some religious faith to some degree as are many non-scientists.

May The Sheep Be With You