Review of the healthy Panel discussion
The discussion seems profound and respectful. The title is
very catchy to the audience. However, after watching the whole discussion, I am
confused if it was a debate for showing that the Bible is more scientific than
the Puranas or just a sarcastic discussion of the claim of Puranas.
At 0.38, Mod. Naren Sahu is correct regarding such a
discussion between Christian and Hindu intellects. This is very rare. Usually,
volumes of works can be found in the discussion about Christianity and Islam,
Atheism, and Cults. Even today, many dedicated Christian theologians and
apologists go for Islamic studies. There is very less reach out from the
Christian circles to analyze Hindu worldviews.
Siddhartha from ISKCON presented scientific facts found in
the Puranas but I was amazed to observe SAKSHI team didn’t even present
anything from Bible. They went straight to the debunking part and then the rest
discussion goes to rebuttal and rejoining.
Siddhartha from ISKCON seems to convey the necessity of
scientific knowledge to confirm religious books as believable and trustworthy.
Indeed, every religious system is in the race on the same point today. However,
scientific discoveries themselves aren’t rigid. There are many things to be
discovered, revised, and explored.[1] YECs[2] are quite correct in
thinking this approach is troublesome.[3]
SAKSHI frequently used Adam’s nomenclature of creatures to
support their argument that scripture suggests a scientific methodology of
observation. Doesn’t this contradict with typical Christian mindset that death
didn’t exist until sin? If we check the meaning of the names of carnivores,
they represent violence and predation.[4] A typical Christian
community and YECs even today find this unusual to fit in Genesis 1. Why didn’t
Siddhartha ask a question like this?[5]
Next, they used 2 Timothy 3:16 to proclaim that the
scripture is intended to guide in righteousness and not teach science. Then why
the title of this debate is: Which is more scientific? The SAKSHI team didn’t
present any scientific cases from the Bible as they had done in responding
debate between Dr. Zakir Naik vs Dr. William Campbell.[6] Their concern was that
Bible need not teach scientific knowledge since it wasn’t the purpose of the
scripture but the Puranas themselves proclaim to have a great deal of
scientific knowledge and hence, they are evaluating Puranas under scientific
questions while neglecting the same area concerning the Bible. This makes the
title itself irrelevant. Or was it sarcastic? To add more, YECs use the same
verse to proclaim that scripture is intended to be the final authority in
everything it teaches!
Next, I found it ironic that the SAKSHI team discussed a lot
about Puranic calculation of the age of Brahman, the universe, and the solar
system. They didn’t address the Biblical stand on the Age of the Universe and
the Earth. Siddhartha guru from the opposition didn’t even ask about 6 days of
the creation of Genesis 1 and the very short time since creation. The whole
discussion missed this important topic which is still a great curiosity for
Christian's eager mind.[7]
They used history, scientists, and journals in favor of
Christianity that which has never been against science. However, they didn’t
use the scripture to show scientific knowledge embedded except to make the case
that the Bible gives space for scientific exploration. They concluded modern
science is the contribution of Christianity.
The debate was indeed healthy and I appreciate such debates
which help to explore worldviews and create a healthy network for their
interaction. However, the whole discussion didn’t correctly meet the goal of
the title of the debate itself. The conclusions from each side were pleasing
and correctly stated and addressed. They both agree that the primary focus of
the Puranas and the Bible isn’t scientific knowledge but metaphysics,
spirituality, our self-identification, and our relationship with God. They both
agree that both religious books and science are still progressing in their
interpretations.
Thank You!
[1] Norman
Geisler, Abdul Saleeb, Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross,
Baker books, 2002, pdf, Pg. 204
[2]
YEC is a group of creationists who reject evolution and scientific data of
ancient universe. They believe 6 days of Genesis as 24 hour days and universe
only 6000 years old except for some liberals.
[3] Timothy
Gordon, Old-Earth Creationism: A Position Paper, September 17, 2013, Pg.
5
[4]
Sakshi Apologetics Network-Hindi, ए २५ - Kya mool paap kay pahley mrityu aur
maansahari thay? माँसाहारी होना, क्या मूल पाप के पहले था?, https://youtu.be/YlyHIr7AZdk, accessed
on 11.23 pm, 4/24/2022
[5]
Just read a book named ‘A Biblical Case for an Old Earth’ by David Snoke to
understand the significance of this controversy.
[6]
Watch: https://youtu.be/8R4YI8ypRb8
[7]
The Age of the Earth is still a great subject of harsh debate in Christianity.
When it comes to Science and the Bible, even non-Christian touch this subject.
Sadly, there is no solution to this dispute except considering it as
non-essential subject for salvation and remaining open to any interpretation
and scientific updates.
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