Re: [asa] Believing Scripture but Playing by Science’s Rules

Ok, ok. I confess!

So I too believe in and strive for a unity of knowledge. But I too,
when it comes to human evolution, have a somewhat divided mind. I've
called it "cognitive dissonance". I see nothing wrong with the
scientific arguments for human evolution. I am also convinced that
scripture teaches a special creation of Adam and Eve (perhaps not
necessarily their bodies). On the surface (and well under the
surface) those two views are at odds with each other. I've struggled
over the years with you all and with the churches that I've been
associated with to find a suitable solution that satisfies both. I've
yet to hear of one (sorry to both Glenn and Dick--you've yet to
convince me). Thus, I remain in this state of having a divided mind
on this--I let the science speak for itself (and I fully believe that
my science and it's methodology is rooted in a Christian worldview)
and I let the scripture speak for itself (of course, within a certain
theological and exegetical tradition that I also am convinced is sound).

Historically, I have taken my cue from Davis Young's ideas expressed
in Christianity and the Age of the Earth where he argues that if we
can't even find ways to have our interpretations of scripture to
agree with themselves, how can we expect to always be able to get our
science and our interpretations of scripture to agree. I confess that
there is a unity (in scripture itself and between scripture and
creation) but I admit that I can't always solve the problems. Such
problems don't lead to doubt and unbelief (although they do for
some), but to a recognition of my own (our own) limited knowledge.

So, while I don't have the issue that Ross has, because I don't
believe that scripture teaches us about the age of the earth. I don't
necessarily despise his epistemology here. I think he has a much more
pragmatic view of science--these are the rules, this is the
framework, this is what scientists believe today, so if I'm going to
join in I have to buy into the rules, the framework, the beliefs--
when I'm doing science.

I'm not sure I would ever put it the way he does, because I believe
that scientific methodology is rooted in a Christian worldview and
leads us to some knowledge of the truth. So there is a dissonance, a
recognized conflict, but with a belief that it is ultimately resolvable.

TG

________________
Terry M. Gray, Ph.D.
Computer Support Scientist
Chemistry Department
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
(o) 970-491-7003 (f) 970-491-1801

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Received on Mon Feb 12 14:30:42 2007