Faith, Reason, and Science Flashcards
Helm defines “faith” as…
“trust or commitment to something or someone.” Faith isn’t simply a matter of mere belief, but of trust.
Helm defines “reason” as…
“The ability to think logically and rationally.” It’s the ability to use our minds to make sense of the world around us.
For Helm, what’s the relationship between faith and reason?
Faith gives us the motivation to seek knowledge; reason gives us the tools to use.
Faith motivates, reason gives tools.
Plantinga says naturalism is incompatible with science because…
science relies on the assumption that the universe is orderly and regular.
Can only assume this in a theistic worldview.
For Plantinga, what’s the real conflict of science and religion?
The conflict between science and religion isn’t between science and theism, but between science and naturalism.
Plantinga defines “science” as…
“the enterprise of seeking knowledge about the world by means of observation, experiment, and reason.”
Plantinga defines “religion” as…
“the enterprise of seeking knowledge about the ultimate reality and our place in it.”
What kind of questions are science and religion each trying to ask?
Science - natural world
Religion - supernatural world
What is Young Earth Creationism?
the universe and all life on Earth were created by God in six literal days about 6,000 years ago.
What is Old Earth Creationism?
the universe is billions of years old and that God may have created life through a process of evolution. Also known as progressive creationism or day-age creation
What is Evolutionary Creationism?
God created the universe and life, but that evolution was the mechanism by which God brought about the diversity of life on Earth.
What is Intelligent Design?
holds that the complexity of life is evidence of intelligent design, but does not necessarily specify who or what the designer was.
What is gap creationism?
There’s a long gap of time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. During this gap, the Earth may or may not have been inhabited by other forms of life.
What is theistic evolution?
God created the universe and life, but that evolution was the mechanism by which God brought about the diversity of life on Earth.
What’s the difference between Old Earth Creationism and Evolutionary Creationism?
Mainly evolution. OEC proponents believe that God played an active role in the evolutionary process, while EC proponents believe that God played a more passive role.
