Christianity and Science Flashcards
What is the difference between the
inductive and deductive approaches to
gaining knowledge? (synoptic link: arguments
for God)
Inductive is empirically-based whereas deductive is rationally-based.
Inductive – Works from the specific (observations) to the general (a theory). Leads to probability, not certainty.
Involves observing and collecting evidence, coming up with a hypothesis based on this evidence and then repeated testing (which may lead to a modification) of this hypothesis. Then developing a theory that seeks to explain this evidence. Empirically based – e.g. teleological, cosmological arguments.
Deductive – If the premises are true, then the conclusion is guaranteed to be true. Rational / logical - e.g. ontological argument.
Name three things that the
inductive approach involves
Observing and collecting evidence.
Coming up with a hypothesis based on examination of the evidence.
Repeated testing and maybe modifications to the hypothesis.
Developing a theory that explains both evidence and results.
What is Darwin’s Theory of
Evolution? Refer to Natural Selection
Charles Darwins’ voyage on the Beagle from 1831 – 1836 led to him developing theory (based on
what he had experienced / observed!!!)
His observations on that voyage – for example, of the beaks of finches on the Galapagos Islands – convinced him of the truth of natural selection. His theory is therefore based on INDUCTIVE REASONING.
Natural selection refers to the way in which individuals better suited to their environment survive to
adulthood and reproduce, passing on their characteristics to their offspring.
Over a long period of time, the characteristics of the species are modified to enable the adaptation
and survival of the species to its environment, as seen in the finches that Darwin observed on
different Galapagos Islands.
This ultimately leads the development of new species.
Those who are less suited to the environment die out and whole species perish when there are major
changes to the environment. Darwin called this SURVIVIAL OF THE FITTEST.
Darwin’s theory was highly controversial…but made sense to many people! It is accepted today.
How did Darwin’s own religious
views change over his lifetime?
Began as an Anglican Christian.
Became Agnostic – unsure whether God exists or not.
Wrote in one letter: “In my most extreme fluctuations I have never been an
atheist in the sense of denying the existence of a God.— I think that generally
(& more and more so as I grow older) but not always, that an agnostic would
be the most correct description of my state of mind”
Why did many Christians originally
ridicule Darwin’s theory?
Darwin’s theory challenged many traditional Christian views, including the
Creation narrative in Genesis. It also challenged the idea that humanity is
uniquely separate and distinct from the rest of the animal world (imago dei). It
also suggests that evolution is random, rather than purposeful / planned.
Many in the Church of England ridiculed the theory. In an Oxford debate,
Bishop Wilberforce asked TH Huxley (‘Darwin’s Bulldog’) whether his descent
from a monkey came through his grandmother or grandfather.
Fundamentalist Christians dismissed the theory as human error as it
contradicted the Genesis creation account; they believed the Bible to contain
the inerrant and infallible word of God.
HOWEVER – Most liberal Christians welcomed the theory, as they did not
believe the Genesis creation stories were supposed to be taken literally.
What is the Big Bang Theory?
Refer to George Lemaitre
The theory of the Origin of the Universe, developed from observation of the universe as it is now.
Pioneered by George Lemaitre, a theoretical physicist and Catholic priest.
The universe continues to expand: galaxies are moving away from one another, and the further away they are, the faster they move apart.
The speed of expansion makes it possible to work out the age of the universe.
According to this theory, about 13.8 billion years ago, there was a sudden burst of energy that marked the creation of time, space, matter and energy.
The theory has been supported by the discovery in 1964 of cosmic microwave background radiation and by the abundance of helium and hydrogen in the universe.
The most widely accepted version of the theory thinks in terms of one event.
Other versions think in terms of a ‘big bang’ leading initially to expansion until pulled back by gravity into a ‘big crunch’, after which it all starts again. Or multiverses!
Explain Francis Collins’ remark:
‘The big bang cries out for a divine
explanation’
He does not believe that the Big Bang could not just have happened – there must
have been a reason for the Big Bang happening. It must have what Leibniz would call
a ‘sufficient reason’.
Collins concludes that this sufficient reason is God – he is the ‘divine explanation’
behind the Big Bang.
Based on beliefs about God’s nature e.g. omnipotence, transcendence, eternity.
Leibniz: ‘Principle of Sufficient Reason’ – why there is something rather than nothing.
Paper 1 Synoptic Link - First Cause Argument
Why do atheists believe these
two theories challenge God’s
existence?
Shows how the universe could have come into existence without God – it began with a Big Bang, not the Seven Days of creation outlined in Genesis. The Big Bang is based on empirical observations, not blind faith in ancient
scripture.
Shows how human life could have begun (evolved) without God – we evolved to the world, rather than it being designed for us. The theory of evolution demonstrates how the appearance of design is actually the result of a long, blind process of adaptation (survival of the fittest).
What did Pope Francis say about
the theory of evolution?
He accepts it, but believes that the process was designed / started off by God.
“He created beings and let them develop according to internal laws which He
gave every one, so they would develop, so they would reach maturity”
What did Pope Francis say about the big bang theory?
He accepts it, but he believes that God caused it.
“The Big Bang, which today we hold to be the origin of the world, does not
contradict the intervention of the divine creator but, rather, requires it”.
Why do young earth creationists
reject Darwin’s theory of evolution?
Young earth creationists reject Darwin’s theory of evolution.
This is because it is incompatible with a literal understanding of the Genesis creation stores, which young earth creationists would see as the inerrant and infallible word of God.
Genesis says that man was ‘formed from the dust of the earth’ (Genesis 2:7), not the result of thousands of years of evolution. God then ‘breathed into his nostrils the breath of life’ (Genesis 2:7).
AO2: Many problems with taking a fundamentalist approach to Genesis. For
example, there are talking snakes and Genesis 1 and 2 seem to contradict each other
by providing two different creation narratives. It was written in a pre-scientific age, it
is a different genre of writing – was it intended to be taken literally by author?
How do most modern Christians
view the theory of evolution?
As the correct explanation for how human beings came into existence.
However, they do not believe this is a random biological process – they
believe it is divinely created.
God is the reason for evolution – he started the process off and created beings
that would evolve.
What is deism? Explain why it
was a popular response to science in
the 18th century
Deism was a popular Christian response to the Big Bang Theory.
It is the belief that a deity (God!) ‘set things off’ and then left the universe to
work according to the laws he created it with. However, he does not have any further influence / involvement with it.
This is similar to Aristotle’s idea of the ‘Prime Mover’, who was utterly disinterested in the world.
However, this contradicts key Christian beliefs about God as actively
concerned for his creation – the Bible depicts God being actively involved with his world, for example the incarnation of Jesus Christ!
Synoptic link: Religious language – could this lead to the death of God by a
thousand qualifications? Why worship a God who isn’t interested at all?!
Explain the phrase ‘God of the
gaps’ – why do some Christians
criticise this term?
It refers to the tendency to attribute anything that cannot be explained to God
– when people don’t understand something, the say that it must be God.
Science shows how flawed this is – as scientific understanding grows, God gets
squeezed out of more and more gaps.
Science ultimately replaces religion as our source of truth and understanding
about the world.
AO2 Counter argument: Non-overlapping magisteria. Science is concerned
with fact whereas religion is concerned with values. Therefore, they are not in
competition but actually compliment each other.
Critical analysis: can science replace religion as our source of morality / ethics?
How do most modern Christians
view the big bang theory?
As the best explanation for how the universe came into existence, 13.8 billion years ago.
They believe that God caused / created / used the Big Bang.
Big Bang theory was pioneered by George Lemaitre, a Catholic Priest.
Pope Francis supports the Big Bang Theory.
