GSI: Article
What is Knowledge?
What is Science?
© Sid Galloway BS, M.Div.
Just an old sheepdog of the Good Shepherd
Genesis 1:1
Communicating conclusions from 100's of PhD scholars (& children)
Supporting the authority of His Word & the consistency of His character
Human Rights? Slavery? - Animal Rights? Cruelty?
What about God's right to command compassion for all of His creatures?
- Questions? Set a time & I'll buy the coffee, or just send GSI an email.
* Students & other "young" people, I'm going home soon, so it's your turn now!
What is the source for accurate knowledge?
Epistemology is the technical term for the study of knowledge and its source. The Greek term for "knowledge" is gnosis, which is used throughout the New Testament in many forms. A person who is not yet convinced that God exists is called an agnostic, meaning one "without knowledge". There are numerous realms of knowledge, therefore many fields of study, such as cosmology, biology, geology, psychology, sociology, philosophy, etc. Consider for a moment, even if you do not yet believe in God our Creator, what it would mean if a Creator God really does exist.
If He does, then learning and knowing accurately who our Creator is (i.e., what kind of person, what kind of character) would directly impact every other realm of knowledge and study. The study of God's character and his purpose for "his" creation would then logically overshadow and necessarily direct all other areas of knowledge. This "logical study of God" is called "Theology" (from theos & logikos). Consequently, if a Creator God exists, then our first and foremost academic effort should be, theology, that is to "know" our Creator in order to develop the most accurate and full knowledge of anything else we study in His universe. Keep in mind that even agnostics and atheists hold to a theological perspective that under girds their worldview. (John 17:3 and 23; 1 Kings 8:43; Isa 45:6; 2 Chr 6:33; …)
When the secular perspective speaks about a source or method of knowledge for "scientific" study, it is often called the "philosophy of science". [Latin for the term " knowledge" is scientia from which we get the word "science".] If a Creator God does exist as discussed above, then the first source of knowledge for scientific study must begin not with mere philosophy but with God at the beginning of creation. In fact, individual fields of study are best described as "subsets" of theology.
Science, therefore, in a universe created by a Creator God (an Intelligent Designer), should begin by first understanding the "theology of science". Similarly, in order for any branch of "psychology" (that is, the study of the psyche; Greek for study of the soul) to be the most accurate possible, it would logically need to be based upon a careful "theology of the psyche". The same would be true for cosmology, biology, geology, sociology, etc. Each field of study or "subject" of knowledge best fits under the overarching realm of "Theology".
Existence of God and subsequent priority of theology does not negate man's ability to discover some of the "what" or "how" about the Creator's world. However, it does negate man's ability to know fully and most accurately the "WHY" regarding the creation - apart from the Creator's revelation about Himself and His purpose. Also, finite, temporal man is especially limited in the ability to “know” the past form and function of creation.
Scripture (God's written, revealed Word, the Bible) is the only inerrant source of knowledge for the "WHY" of science and even the "WHEN" and "HOW" for the origin of space, time, matter, energy, life, and the varied types of creatures.
* Perhaps this is why man’s amazing, technological advances have not produced World Order, peace, unity, and security, but rather World Disorder, wars, ethnic holocausts, and now the threat of biological, chemical, and nuclear annihilation.
Please consider one more, crucial thing. Suppose that in addition to the existence of our Creator, it is also true that one of his most powerful and intelligence creatures (for example an angelic creature) had chosen self-serving rebellion against its Creator God. If this is also true, then logically that rebellious angel's most effective attack against its Creator would be to deceive others (humans) by distorting the Creator's true character.
This leads to a key question about God:
Is God the Designer of the "survival of the fittest", pain, fear, suffering, and death that now saturates the world, or is He the Good Shepherd revealed throughout the Bible and in the incarnate person of Jesus the Messiah? What's your answer for the origin of suffering, not only among humans, but also animals?
Clearly, the "theology of science" is not just some peripheral, trivial subject, but a foundationally ethical issue impacting the root of every moral issue. So, please embrace your personal responsibility to study and become knowledgeable regarding science in the light of God and His Word.
For more information on this vital subject, I recommend the following:
- http://creation.com/scripture-and-general-revelation
- http://www.gty.org/resources/Sermons/90-213_Creation-Day-2#.TkmqX4K-aAY
MORE RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
WILL BE ADDED AS TIME ALLOWS
© Sid Galloway BS, M.Div.
Just an old sheepdog of the Good Shepherd
Genesis 1:1
Communicating conclusions from 100's of PhD scholars
Supporting the authority of His Word
& the consistency of His character
Human Rights? Slavery? - Animal Rights? Cruelty?
What about God's right to command compassion for all of His creatures?