Christian Worldview Paper I Abstract It is true, knowledge and truth can in fact be sought out in different ways. The ways in which one may seek knowledge has a lot to do with their background or worldview. We all have opinions and biases based on what we have been taught or experienced A scientist will seek knowledge and base truth only on things that can be proven, by use of the scientific method. On the other hand Christians see truth as being what is God's word. There are people that feel the two can be integrated, but there are others that feel Christianity and science are not at all compatible.
Proponents of ‘Intelligent Design’ question the veracity of evolution through natural selection. This paper will argue that the debate about Intelligent Design is a continuation of the crisis initiated by Darwin’s theory of evolution and it remains a contentious issue for many Christians today. Like all religions, usually in response to a crisis of some description, Christianity has changed throughout its history. However, the concept of modernity is regarded as a particularly profound crisis for Christianity. (Weeks, O’Toole & Crowe, 2012, p100) A number of interconnected events beginning with the development of modern science and changes in social and political ideologies since the time of the Industrial Revolution, succeeded in shattering the antiquated social structures of Christian Europe.
Introduction One aspect of the contemporary debate between science and religion is related to humans’ acquisition of knowledge and truth. An individual’s worldview, or explanation of the world and an application of this view to life, plays a key role in this debate. Scientism is the belief that the most accurate knowledge comes from the scientific method (Gousmett, 1996). Conversely, the Christian worldview recognizes that God is the source of all truth (MacArthur, 2006). While on the surface these worldviews conflict, this paper argues that there is a role for both.
Religious belief systems have been challenged by scientific belief systems which emergenced during the period known as enlightenment. This period had two key principles: the belief that reason could provide an understanding of the world and that this understanding could be used to improve the lives of human beings. These two principles resulted in the procedure for doing scientific research being created. Sociologists such as Frazer, believed that the introduction and grounds of scientific explanations would cause religion to disappear. However, sociologists are divided on whether the impact of science has been positive or negative due to the many achievements science has made such as weapons of mass destruction and the eradication of many fatal diseases through drugs.
Dennett, on the other hand, is a philosopher. He has questioned the prevailing Darwinism schools of thought, consciousness, free will and even the moral thought relative to religion within human life (Dennett, 1995, p. 38). Questioning the scientific traditions and reductionist thought that has extended from Aristotelian and the ways in which it has wrongly informed science and even delimited discoveries, Dennett (1995) addressed all of these shortcomings and their traditions through the scholarly traditions upon which they were founded. Lifting the veil of ignorance, Dennett acquainted his readers and colleagues with the historic environments and factors that coauthored the aforementioned traditions. Ultimately demonstrating the ways in which (Dennett, 1981) the Cartesian superficially created a false dichotomy and ultimately informed reductionist and essentialist traditions, Dennett (1995) articulated Darwin’s intentions and those of scientists and philosophers that followed (p
After reading this text, I found myself wondering exactly where I go when I am dealing with an individual who does not know for sure where they stand. Although this is the basis for Entwistle explaining how to implement this integration, the lack of said knowledge would make this attempt difficult at best. There seems to be areas within these two ideologies of science and providence that are blurred. This can be seen in the five models of integration that Entwistle speaks of. In particular, when speaking of Spies, the lines are not as clear as they do not accept the tenets of Christianity but see activities such as prayer or forgiveness as useful to the secular world.
Furthermore, private experiences are, ultimately, terribly subjective and will be dependent on a person’s religious stance or even their sobriety at the time of event. William James’ point regarding the experience to bring a positive outcome is puzzling if you examine the case of Abraham being told to execute his son; whilst God eventually told him not to proceed, the event would not have brought about a good disposition which goes against James’ criteria. Ultimately, I feel that these points alone prove that arguments for religious experience are
McCloskey attempts to make an argument for the non-existence of God and to give reasons why atheism is more comforting than theism. This paper is a response to that article which will address certain ideas raised by Mr. McCloskey. This author is a theist and will present arguments to show the reasoning for the existence and necessity of God. To begin with, McCloskey suggests in his article that the theist’s arguments are “proofs” which do not provide definitive evidence for the existence of God, so therefore, they should be discarded. This is not a justified argument due to the fact that theists do not try to definitely prove the existence of God.
The result of this moral compass is an unstable platform for truth; as a result secular humanism supports gay marriage, abortion, and euthanasia. Socially unacceptable behaviors such as murder, rape, and robbery are not accepted by secular
These views became a threat to orthodoxy because it challenged their belief system in many ways. It met the church head on, bringing up important issues that was avoided. This period basically defied the church, as we know it. The fundamentalist believes in the absolute authority of a religion and scriptures. This is not just limited to Christians but other religions as well can be fundamental.