Saturday, April 5, 2014

Scientific Investigation for Truth – Part One


Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Lesson Five of the Focus on the Family series titled: “The Truth Project”, after completing a discussion on the nature and character of Good, we turned our study to see what “the stuff in the cosmic box” really tells us when we honestly look at it. Professor Dr. Del Tackett agues that “scientific investigation” is the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment as a method of ascertaining truth. For when we open the box, we find that it is filled with that which speaks to us loudly about the majesty and power of the One who has created the physical universe. Everywhere we look, whether up at the grandeur of the stars and galaxies or deep into the tiny and elegantly designed inner workings of a living cell, there is evidence that the cosmos is the handiwork of an intelligent, rational Creator. In the contemplation of nature, we come face to face with the truth that God exists and that He has revealed Himself to us, not only through His written Word (special revelation) but also though the works of His hands (general revelation).

Psalm 19:1-4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.  They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

Dr. Tackett states that our natural reaction to this experience should be like that of a child: wonder, marvel and praise for the Creator. But because of the effects of “the Fall” and the polarizing influence of the “Cosmic Battle” , man shows a tendency to deny what is plain to the senses and has chosen to ignore the obvious truth, twisting scientific investigation into a vehicle for propagating a godless philosophy of human independence and self-determination.  Driven by this impulse, he transforms straightforward scientific inquiry, which properly concerns itself with particulars, in an all-embracing philosophy, which claims to establish universals on the basis of the “stuff in the box.”  The result is the propagation of a worldview that “scientifically” excludes the Creator, thus “freeing” mankind from accountability to a higher authority.

Romans 1:18-23, 25The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Dr. Tackett explains that, central to this godless philosophy are assertions of Darwinian evolutionary theory. By keeping the details of creation’s story completely inside “the materialistic box”, evolution effectively rules out the existence of God. Herein lies the heart of the debate over “Intelligent Design.” Atheist C. Richard Bozarth actually goes so far as to claim that “evolution destroys utterly and finally the very reason Jesus’ earthly life was supposedly made necessary.” It is exactly this kind of philosophical assumption that inspires the intolerant bullying antagonism of evolutionists towards anyone who dares question the validity of their theory. This is why Darwinists so fervently assert that “evolution is no longer merely a theory, but an established fact.” But the truth of the matter, as experts and creation scientist demonstrate in great detail, is that the theory is not supported by the evidence. Many inside the scientific community are beginning to recognize this, but they dare not acknowledge it publically because of the worldview issues at stake. As Dr. David Berliski says. “The consequences are serious.”

Job 38:1, 4-6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone?”

Let’s look at the reality of the facts on the next post.

In Christ, Brian

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