The Intersection of Philosophy, Science, and Theology

DR. SARAH SALVIANDER

Defending ChristianityOctober, 2017

PHILOSOPHY

How do we know truth?How should we live?What is reality?

“Love of wisdom”

the rational investigation of logic, ethics, and metaphysics.

PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy = “organized speculation”

“Love of wisdom”

the rational investigation of logic, ethics, and metaphysics.

PHILOSOPHY

Deductive logic

Rules

If A = B and C = B, then A = C

PHILOSOPHYWhat is the basic structure of the world?

Plato: the material world is an illusionAristotle: the material world is real

How do we arrive at truth?Plato: reflection and deductive logicAristotle: observing and generalizing

SCIENCE

Science = “natural philosophy”

Latin scientia, “knowledge”

the systematic building of knowledge based on testableexplanations and predictions.

SCIENCE

ObserveAsk questionsHypothesizePredictTestAnalyzeTheorize

Rules (the scientific method)

“JUST A THEORY”?

Common usage of “theory”:A hunch, a guessUsually untestede.g. “I have a theory about that...”

Scientific usage of “theory”:Based on facts and observationRigorously testede.g. Einstein’s theory of relativity

PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

the rational investigation of the foundations, methods, andimplications of science.

What qualifies as science?How reliable are scientific theories?What is the ultimate purpose of science?

THEOLOGY

Theology = “science of the divine”

“Study of God”

the rational investigation of God and the nature ofreligious ideas.

THEOLOGY

The word of GodScriptureDirect communication

The world of GodNatureHuman experience

PHILOSOPHY

Man and existence

SCIENCE

The natural world

THEOLOGY

Man and the divine

PHILOSOPHY

SCIENCE THEOLOGY

PHILOSOPHY

SCIENCE THEOLOGY

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE+RELIGION

Where do philosophy, science, and theology meet?

Origin ofthe universe

“’How it all began’ fits in with Bible story”

“The Bible was right”

POPULAR INTERPRETATION OF THE BIG BANG

Big bang theory is philosophically unacceptable.

Implies GodPhilosophically messy

My fellow astronomers are rushing off to join the First Church of Christ of the Big Bang.

So long, Genesis!

the multiverse

God

the multiverse

the Universe

“Universe 1”“Universe 2”

“Universe 3”

“Universe 4”

“Universe 5” “Universe 6”

THE MULTIVERSE

Based on scienceBut not testable“Science flavored”

SpeculativePhilosophy, not science

Used by atheists to sow seeds of doubt

Origin of life

Origin of consciousness

PHILOSOPHY

Existence is absurd

Make your own meaning

SCIENCE

MultiverseUnguided evolutionNo intelligenceNo designNo purpose

THEOLOGY

There is no God

Man is the measure of all things

ATHEIST RELIGION

Which religion is true?

We can’t know for certain, but we can compare and contrast.

KNOW A TREE BY ITS FRUITS

Matthew 7:17: “Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”

How do we take measure of a religion? Its internal consistencyIts consistency with the worldThe fruit it bears

INTERNAL CONSISTENCY

No basis for moralityAssume the moral high ground and denounce Christianity as backwards and oppressive

There is no truthItself a truth statement

Boltzmann brainsHow do you know what’s real?

Who am I?What am I?

Why am I here?

CONSISTENCY WITH THE WORLD

Eternal universe: supernatural crisis

Principle of mediocrity: fine tuning crisis

Darwinian evolution: in the midst of quiet revolution

Marxism: total, abject economic failure

Freud: anti-science

LIFE IS ABSURD – SO WHAT DO WE DO?

Take the leap of faith Make your own meaning

If God does not exist, everything is permitted.

FRUITS OF ATHEISM

FRUITS OF ATHEISMDeclining birth ratesBreakdown of the familyAbortion rateSTD rateDepression and anxiety rateMass killing rateSuicide rateDetachment from realityOrwellian thought control:

Ontario and California pronoun lawsPush to criminalize denial of climate change

Absurdities coming out of academia

FRUITS OF CHRISTIANITYUniversitiesWidespread literacy ScienceIndustrial Revolution

Widespread prosperityRise of the middle class

Human rightsSanctity of lifeEnd of slavery

Greater happinessBetter healthGreater freedom and creativity

THE LEAP OF FAITH

despair

hope

THE LEAP OF FAITH

despair

hope