Science v/s Bible || Where they agree? Where they disagree? || Session 1 held at Koinonia Youth Online Fellowship [Old]

 

Why even the Topic?

1) The rise of scientific discoveries, technologies and unfolding the mysteries of the universe

2) Scientific studies are based on research, observations, repeated tests, reasons, analysis, revisions and conclusion. 

3) People are more interested in subject of verifiable issues

4) One of the fundamentals of Christian belief is that the Bible is inerrant word of God, inspired and infallible. 2 Timothy 3:16, Romans 1:20, 2 Peter 1:21, Matthew 5:17-20; 19:4; and John 10:35 are perhaps at the tip of the iceberg that advocates divine inspiration and authority of the scripture. 

God cannot err

The necessity of agreement between science and scripture perhaps emerges due to the theology of inerrancy of God himself and not merely the scripture. It is strictly admitted that, if the Bible contains factual errors, then God is not omniscient and is capable of making errors Himself; if the Bible contains misinformation, then God is not truthful but is instead a liar and if the Bible contains contradictions, then God is the author of confusion. In other words, if biblical inerrancy is not true, then God is not God.

Source: “Why Is It Important to Believe in Biblical Inerrancy?,” Blog, Got Questions, n.d., accessed June 7, 2022, https://www.gotquestions.org/Biblical-inerrancy.html.

The Accommodation

Christians try to prove the Bible as an inspired scripture by quoting scriptures that seem to support modern scientific facts

They try to co-relate the Bible verses with specific scientific principles

Psalms 19:1-3, Jeremiah 10:12 and Romans 1:20 are often considered benchmarks for scientific accuracy in the scripture. Free floatation of the earth in space (Job 26:7), creation constituted of atomic particles (Hebrews 11:3), perfect dimension for a stable water vessel (Genesis 6:15), the ocean contains spring (Job 38:16), blood is the source of life (Lev. 17:11, 14), the first law of thermodynamics (Gen. 2:1-2), the beginning of the universe (Gen. 1:1), the spherical shape of the earth (Isa. 40:22), the Sun goes in a circuit (Ps. 19:6), expanding universe (Job 9:8, Jer. 51:15, Zech. 12:1), the air has weight (Job 28:25), and so on are often used to show scientific accuracy of the Bible.

Source: “101 Scientific Facts & Foreknowledge,” Blog, Eternal Productions, n.d., accessed June 7, 2022, https://eternal-productions.org/101science.html.

The Criticism

1) Belief in unusual account of World’s creation

2) The question about historicity of Adam and Eve

3) Belief in unusual account of the Noahic Flood

4) Belief in unusual long ages of peoples 

5) Belief in unusual events like Joshua stopping the Sun

6) Belief in mythological creatures like Unicorn, Leviathan, Behemoth

7) Belief in unusual Virgin Birth and Resurrection

Perhaps, in this competitive age of many religious beliefs, everyone is trying to show their religion is scientific. This work has been done in Nepal by a book written by Surendra Gautam and Navaraj Paneru named ‘Vigyaan ko najar ma Veda ra Bible’ to advocate science in Hindu scriptures. In addition, ‘The Big Bang and the Sages’ by ISCKON head Siddharth advocates scientific teaching of the Puranas. ‘The Bible, The Qur’an and Science’ by Dr. Maurice Bucaille or ‘Islam ko vaigyaanik vishleshan’ by I. A. Ibrahim to advocate science in the Islamic holy book. Thus, there have been many such works in different faith systems to show their glory and divine stamp.

Source:

4 Sakshi Apologetics Network SAN, HINDU CHRISTIAN DEBATE – Puranas or the Holy Bible:

Which Is More Scientific – ISKCON Vs. Sakshi, Panel discussion, n.d., accessed June 7, 2022,

https://youtu.be/47tyfAp7Vbw.

Three Groups may exist in a Christian circle

Group 1: Whatever the cases be, the scripture is always above the science 

Group 2: The Bible is inspired Word of God, hence the science agrees with it 

Group 3: The Bible is obviously the inspired word of God but it was written not to us although it was written for us 

To be continued...