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I found the following diagram helpful in understanding the tensions that sometimes exist between science and Biblical faith.
Bible:theology :: Creation:science
(The Bible is to theology as creation is to science)
The diagram distinguishes between: 1) Scripture and theology, and 2) creation and science. Scripture is God’s Word and therefore free from error. The physical creation is God’s work and therefore will never be in conflict with God’s word. However, theology is man’s study of Scripture, just as science is man’s study of creation. As such, theology and science are both susceptible to error and can be in conflict with each other.
Thus when science and theology conflict, we should not rush to judgment about which side is wrong. Rather we should continue to test our theology against the evidence of Scripture and our science against the evidence of the physical world. When we get our theology and science correct, there will be no conflict between the two.
I like this model because it affirms:
1) the truth of God’s word,
2) the order of God’s world, and
3) the value of both theological and scientific endeavor.
Note: The diagram comes from David Heddle, associate professor of physics at Christopher Newport University. Heddle is currently teaching a Sunday School class on science and faith at Grace Baptist Chapel in Hampton, VA. He is posting his weekly notes online at GBC Sunday School. You can find an outline of the series here.
Related post: God’s Providence and Scientific Investigation
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