Lesson 5 - Compatibility

Question 1

Big bang

Answer 1

The Big Bang Theory is the idea of a unique and explosive beginning to the cosmos out of ‘a singular moment’ – a singular dense point containing all of the universe’s matter and energy, which is then thrown outwards.

Question 2

Albert Einstein - the big bang

Answer 2

“This is the most beautiful and satisfactory explanation of creation to which I have ever listened.”

Question 3

‘Fine tuning’ argument:

Answer 3

-In order to produce intelligent life, the ‘cosmological constants’ all have to be correct to an impossibly narrow configuration.

-The fact that we are here therefore suggests that something (perhaps God?) has fine-tuned constants, since the odds of their being correct purely by chance are about 10,180 against.
If this is the only universe, then God must have made it.

Question 4

Francis Collins

Answer 4

I believe god did intend in giving us intelligence to give us the opportunity to investigate and appreciate the wonders of his creation: he isn’t threatened by our scientific adventures

Question 5

Great thinkers in history

Answer 5

-Although the media would give the impression that science and religion don’t go together, the Church has always been interested in scientific research and has always encouraged it.

-Some of the great figures in the history of science have been Christian thinkers – for example, Newton, Descartes, Pascal and Lemaître.

Question 6

JOHN POLKINGHORNE

Answer 6

-is an English theoretical physicist, theologian, writer and Anglican priest.

-A prominent and leading voice explaining the relationship between science and religion.

-His publications include Science and Creation: The Search for Understanding (1988).

Question 7

What does polkinghore illustrate in his book?

Answer 7

-Polkinghorne illustrates how a scientifically minded person approaches the task of theological inquiry, claiming that there exists a close parallel between theory and experiment in science and belief and understanding in theology.

They have a ‘cousinly relationship’ in their search for truth.

Question 8

Polkinghore quote

Answer 8

It gives us the big answer that things exist because of God’s will. One can perfectly well believe in the Big Bang, but believe in it as the will of God the creator.”
Polkinghorne

Question 9

Gross inadequacy -polkinghore

Answer 9

“There is a gross inadequacy of thinking science can tell us everything” – SCIENCE ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH TO BE OUR ONLY SOURCE OF TRUTH IN THE WORLD. EMPIRICISM CANNOT PROVIDE ALL THE ANSWERS OF TRUTH IN OUR WORLD (I.E. MORALITY CANNOT BE EMPIRICALLY VERIFIED).

Question 10

great integrating discipline.-polkinghore

Answer 10

“Theology is the great integrating discipline.” – THEOLOGY IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO BRING EVERYTHING TOGETHER; THE INSIGHTS OF SCIENCE, MORALITY, BEAUTY TOGETHER AND PACKAGES EVERYTHING TOGETHER IN A WAY FOR HUMANS TO MAKE SENSE OF THE WORLD.

Question 11

Polkinghore quote

Answer 11

-Religion, if it is to take seriously its claim that the world is the creation of God, must be humble enough to learn from science what that world is actually like. The dialogue between them can only be mutually enriching.” Polkinghorne.

Question 12

AO2 criticisms

Answer 12

If God is undetectable, why would we worship him?

Surely God is detectable, because of the claims of religious experiences?

Is the Incarnation a subtle way God influences the world?

Does it make sense for God to be subtle and fussy when it comes to the problem of evil?

Question 13

Anthropic Principle:

Answer 13

The suggestion that the universe is set up for the development of intelligent life.

A designer (considered to be God) was needed to ’fine tune’ things for life to exist.

Question 14

Producing intelligent design

Answer 14

-In order to produce intelligent life, the ‘cosmological constants’ all have to be correct to an impossibly narrow configuration.

-The fact that we are here therefore suggests that something (perhaps God?) has fine-tuned constants, since the odds of their being correct purely by chance are about 10,180 against.

-If this is the only universe, then God must have made it.

Question 15

Anthropic principle evaluations

Answer 15

-Refers to the incredibly precise ‘fine-tuning’ of the elements in the universe that are absolutely essential at that particular degree or point for human life to exist.

-For example, our planet’s distance from the sun.

-AO2 Counter-argument: This could be complete luck / chance.

-Survival of the Fittest: we evolved to the earth, rather than having it designed for us. If we hadn’t evolved so well, we would have gone extinct.

Question 16

Is the world designed?

Answer 16

-‘The rational transparency and beauty of the universe are surely too remarkable to be treated as just happy accidents.’ (Links to Design argument here)

-Polkinghorne rejects the idea that the universe is so beautiful could just be a ‘happy accident’ – it could not have just happened by chance.

-There must be a reason (‘a sufficient reason) behind all this. Why there is something, rather than nothing, why we exist in THIS fine tuned world.

Question 17

AO2 - is the world designed?

Answer 17

AO2: Is this a good enough argument? Just because we cry out for an explanation, does not mean there is one… we have to accept the world is amazing, but it does not mean there is a divine explanation.

Question 18

Polkinghore conclusions

Answer 18

-Polkinghorne concludes that the rationality of the universe is a reflection of the rationality of the Creator.

-The fine-tuning of the cosmological constants, and the fact we find the world to be intelligible, would be overwhelming evidence in favour of the existence of God.

-HOWEVER – Polkinghorne has no rationale for assuming that the Creator is the God of Christianity. Christians will assume this though.

Question 19

Scripture and science

Answer 19

-Polkinghorne believes that the Bible should be examined in the same way that scientific theories are examined.

-The Bible gives evidence for Christian claims about Jesus that can be rationally examined, just as scientific theory can, by the use of reason.

Question 20

AO2 - scripture and science

Answer 20

AO2: Critics would say that the Bible’s claims cannot be empirically verified – they are matters of belief that require a ‘leap of faith’.

-Claims about Jesus (i.e. his miracles) cannot be replicated / tested in a scientific lab.

-How can we empirically verify the Bible? It is not replicable or provable? We cannot empirically observe the events and accounts of the Bible.

-The Bible writers were bias; they have an agenda, they use evidence to help prove their theory; the accounts help support the thesis that Jesus IS the Son of God.

Question 21

Richard Dawkins -criticism of Polkinhore

Answer 21

Richard Dawkins argues that we need to ‘outgrow God’ – science now provides empirically-based explanations for the existence of the universe and human life that do not require God.

Question 22

God of the gaps - criticism of Polkinhore

Answer 22

God of the Gaps – science replaces religion as our source of knowledge and truth. We no longer need religion, it can be discarded.

Question 23

Fundamentalists ) criticism of polkinghore

Answer 23

Fundamentalists would reject science because it contradicts literalist understandings of scripture, such as the Genesis creation narratives.

Question 24

Deists - criticism of polkinghore

Answer 24

Deists may believe there is a creator God, but that God is impersonal and not immanent or involved within creation.

Question 25

Dawkins - three criticisms

Answer 25

1: science as the sole source of truth
2: rejection of supernatural explanation
3:conflicts between science and religion

Question 26

Science as the Sole Source of Truth

Answer 26

-Science as the Sole Source of Truth: Dawkins argues that science is the only reliable method for understanding the natural world.

-He might assert that religious beliefs lack empirical evidence and are therefore not valid avenues for understanding reality.

Question 27

Rejection of Supernatural Explanation

Answer 27

Rejection of Supernatural Explanation: Dawkins is known for his rejection of supernatural explanations, including the existence of God.

He might dismiss Polkinghorne’s theological arguments about Providence and God’s interaction with the world as unfounded and unscientific.

Question 28

Conflict between Science and Religion:

Answer 28

Conflict between Science and Religion: Dawkins often emphasizes the conflicts between scientific understanding and religious doctrine.

He might point to specific examples where religious beliefs contradict scientific evidence, such as creationism versus evolution, to argue against the compatibility of science and religion.

Question 29

John Polkinghorne

Answer 29

-John Polkinghorne, a theoretical physicist turned Anglican priest, is known for his significant contributions to the dialogue between science and religion.

-He advocates for a constructive engagement between the two realms, suggesting that they offer complementary rather than conflicting perspectives on reality.

Question 30

Compatibility of science and religion

Answer 30

-Compatibility of Science and Religion: Polkinghorne rejects the idea of an inherent conflict between science and religion.

-He believes that both disciplines are legitimate avenues for exploring truth, but they operate in distinct domains.

-Science deals with the empirical observation and explanation of the natural world, while religion addresses questions of ultimate meaning, purpose, and value.

-The phrase “They have a ‘cousinly relationship’ in their search for truth” suggests that religion and science are related in a way that is not direct, like siblings, but more distant, like cousins.

-Despite their differences, they share a common ancestry or origin in their pursuit of truth.

-When it’s said that both religion and science are concerned with understanding and making sense of experience, it means that they both seek to explain and interpret the world around us, albeit using different methods and approaches.

Question 31

Different ways of knowing

Answer 31

-Polkinghorne emphasizes that science and religion utilize different methodologies and forms of knowledge.

-Science employs empirical observation, experimentation, and mathematical modelling to understand the physical universe, whereas religion relies on faith, revelation, and personal experience to explore existential and metaphysical questions.

-They are different ways of understanding reality means that although religion and science approach truth from different angles—religion through faith, revelation, and personal experience, and science through observation, experimentation, and empirical evidence—they ultimately complement each other.

-This suggests that they can work together to provide a more comprehensive understanding of reality.

Question 32

Complementary perspectives

Answer 32

-Rather than viewing science and religion as competing explanations for reality, Polkinghorne sees them as offering complementary perspectives.

-He suggests that each discipline provides valuable insights into different aspects of the human experience, and together they contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the world.

Question 33

Dialogue and interaction

Answer 33

-Polkinghorne advocates for dialogue and integration between science and religion.

-He encourages scientists to be open to the insights that religious thought can offer, and likewise urges theologians to engage with scientific discoveries.

-By fostering a mutually enriching dialogue, he believes that both disciplines can contribute to a more holistic worldview.

Question 34

God as a creator

Answer 34

-As a Christian theologian, Polkinghorne affirms the belief in a Creator God who is responsible for the existence and order of the universe.

-He suggests that scientific discoveries, such as the fine-tuning of physical constants or the intricate structure of biological systems, can be seen as pointing towards the existence of a guiding intelligence behind the cosmos.

Question 35

Providence and Divine Care

Answer 35

-Polkinghorne emphasizes the idea of Providence as divine guidance and care, much like the passage does.

-He argues that God is actively involved in the world, providing for and sustaining humankind according to his purposes.

-This aligns with Polkinghorne’s belief in a God who is intimately concerned with the well-being of creation.

Question 36

God’s Immanence and Involvement

Answer 36

-Polkinghorne frequently discusses God’s immanence, emphasizing that God is present and active within the world rather than distant or aloof.

-He suggests that God interacts with creation in a way that is beyond human comprehension, much like the passage implies.

-Polkinghorne’s view of God’s involvement in the world resonates with the idea that God influences the world at a level that humans cannot fully understand.

Question 37

Significance of Special Providence

Answer 37

-Polkinghorne recognizes the importance of special providence in understanding the personal God of Christianity.

-He acknowledges that God’s specific care and intervention in the lives of individuals are essential aspects of religious belief.

-Without this notion, the concept of a personal God loses its meaning, a sentiment echoed in the passage

Question 38

God’s Respect for Creation:

Answer 38

Polkinghorne often emphasizes God’s respect for creation and the natural order.

He suggests that God works within the framework of the laws of nature rather than constantly intervening to override them.

This aligns with the passage’s assertion that God does not fussily intervene to alleviate all discomfort but respects the creation

Question 39

God’s Action Beyond Human Perception:

Answer 39

-Polkinghorne acknowledges that while God is active in the world, his actions may not always be directly observable or detectable by human senses or scientific instruments.

-This doesn’t mean that God is absent or inactive, but rather that his presence and influence may operate in ways that transcend human perception.

Question 40

Non-Interventionist Approach

Answer 40

Polkinghorne suggests that God does not “fussily intervene” to solve every problem or alleviate every discomfort in the world. Instead, he works in subtle and often indirect ways.

Question 41

Faith and Mystery

Answer 41

The idea of God being undetectable also speaks to the mystery and transcendence of God.

It acknowledges that faith plays a significant role in apprehending God’s presence and action in the world, beyond what can be empirically observed or scientifically explained.