Re: [asa] Non-controversial science

The demarcation question -- is historical science "science" -- is a red
herring, IMHO. The only reason to care about that demarcation is one of
authority: "science" for many people is more authoritative than other
sources of knowledge. I think the attempt by many Christians to
de-science-ize historical sciences capitulates to this mindset as much as
the attempt by many atheists to exalt them.

The more important question about the conclusions of historical sciences is
are they "true." We use nothing other than ordinary and well worn human
tools of observation and reason to make these determinations. Because they
are human determinations, they are always limited and imperfect.
Nevertheless, the consensus conclusions of the historical sciences that most
bother conservative Christians -- the age of the universe, the general
parameters of biological evolution -- seem quite reasonable and well
supported. The interesting and often difficult questions arise for
thoughtful Christians who also take the scriptures as in some way real truth
from God and therefore must try to relate these different ways of
apprehending truth.

On Tue, Aug 26, 2008 at 9:49 AM, Bruce Bennett <304law@bellsouth.net> wrote:

> Michael,
>
> I am not a scientist nor do I have a scientific background, so I'm a bit
> trepid in my remarks. But isn't it the conclusions of historical science
> that sometimes causes the greatest stir among many Christians? For me, I
> don't outright reject historical science as being a legitimate science;
> however, I do think their conclusions (say for example, the age of the
> earth) might be more questionable than those drawn from non-historical
> science.
>
> Bruce
>
>
> Michael Roberts wrote:
>
> David
>>
>> We are clearly in total agreement and I have known that for a long time.
>>
>> In almost a one-liner you bring out the implications of this position.
>>
>> However, how do we make it clear to the wider Christian public who are
>> seduced by the question, "Were you there?"
>>
>> One reason why this appeals is that many in our society including those
>> with some or even much science often think that science must be
>> experimental. This attitude is summed up in Rutherford's quip. "all science
>> is physics, the rest is stamp-collecting", which my uncle Grenville Yarnold
>> , a physicist turned priest, who wrote on Sand R in the 50s and 60s once
>> jokingly threw at me as a geologist.
>>
>> Michael
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Campbell" <pleuronaia@gmail.com
>> >
>> To: <asa@calvin.edu>
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 12:33 AM
>> Subject: Re: [asa] Non-controversial science
>>
>>
>> In reply to Richard surely it is controversial NOT to accept that
>>>> "historical evidence can be properly science". If one adopts that
>>>> position
>>>> one rejects all historical science such as geology as science. That is
>>>> as
>>>> absurd as rejecting all experimental science as non-science.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The only context in which I have encountered the serious claim that
>>> historical science is not really science is in young-earth attempts to
>>> deny the credibility of historical science. However, if you deny the
>>> reliability of historical study you are rejecting Christianity, for
>>> which the historical evidence of Jesus' death and resurrection are
>>> crucial.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Dr. David Campbell
>>> 425 Scientific Collections
>>> University of Alabama
>>> "I think of my happy condition, surrounded by acres of clams"
>>>
>>> To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
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>>
>>
>
> --
> Bruce W. Bennett
> Bennett Law Offices, LLC
> P.O. Box 968
> Grayson, GA 30017
>
> tele. (770) 978-7603
> FAX (770) 978-7628
>
>
>
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-- 
David W. Opderbeck
Associate Professor of Law
Seton Hall University Law School
Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology
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