RE scholarship more helpful quotes

Question 1

The arguments

Answer 1

Argument fro Design
The First Cause Argument

Question 2

Models details

Answer 2

Ian Bourber
Conflict, independence, dialogue and integration

Question 3

Two books quote

Answer 3

Saint Augustine
God created two books - the book of nature and the Bible. Cannot be incompatible if read correctly

Question 4

Two truths example - my own

Answer 4

Science cannot tell you whether it is a good thing to kill your neighbour for his inheritance, but only what arteries would be best to target

Question 5

Two truths quote

Answer 5

John Lennox
Motor car - internal combustion and Henry Ford

Question 6

Early history of heliocentricity

Answer 6

Copernicus write document ‘Little Commentary’ in 1514
Pope Clement approved heliocentrism in 1533
This was 99 years before Galileo

Question 7

Galileo important details

Answer 7

He reinterpreted biblical passages which didn’t agree with heliocentrism
Nicole Oresme and others had got away with this
But now council of Trent (1545-1563)
Reformation
NO NEW IDEAS

Question 8

First cause argument details

Answer 8

Everything that has a beginning has a cause, and the universe has a beginning and a cause
Big Bang must have had a cause outside of the universe - God

Question 9

Scientific findings that support First Cause Argument

Answer 9

Big Bang
2nd law of thermodynamics - universe is running out of usable energy, because with heating, energy is lost. If it were eternal, it would already have run out
Universe Is expanding
Einstein’s theory of relativity requires an absolute beginning for space, matter, and time, so the first cause must be outside of space and time

Question 10

Argument from Design detail

Answer 10

Fine tuning
Perfect world, full of perfectly designed and balanced laws

Question 11

Example of argument from design - body

Answer 11

Complexity of human eye - two million working parts, yet the faster muscles in the body

Question 12

Examples of fine tuning of universe

Answer 12

122 aspects of nature
Speed of light
Earth’s electromagnetic field
Rate of expansion of the universe
Size of the earth’s crust
Amount of water vapour
Amount of gravity

Question 13

Another fine tuning in regard to detail and precision

Answer 13

DNA is made of 3 billion perfectly sequenced letters
Four letters - A, T, G, C
Code (in different sequences) for every single aspect of the body
Each DNA in a person is unique, and replicates perfectly

Question 14

Points of opposition - truly - worldviews

Answer 14

Christianity and naturalism, supernaturalism

Question 15

Dr Francis Collins quote

Answer 15

The human genome reflects God’s purpose and that researching science is like worship.

Question 16

Against complementary miracles quote

Answer 16

David Hume said miracles were violations of the laws of nature and as firm as unalterable experience establishes these laws, there is proof against a miracle

Question 17

For complementary miracles quote

Answer 17

John Lennox says science and scientific laws aren’t against miracles, because miracles only say what happens without interference from God. For instance, arithmetic, the most basic scientific law, can tell you if you put sixpence in a drawer there will be the same amount there tomorrow, but cannot account for a thief, or outside interference - this is God.

Question 18

Scientific objections to miracles

Answer 18

Laws of nature can’t be violated

Question 19

Points of clarification about miracles

Answer 19

They aren’t just about wonder, but about theological purpose
They aren’t just things that science doesn’t understand. Additionally, the things science doesn’t understand aren’t the only things God’s in charge of
They defy normal laws or have perfect timing

Question 20

Why miracles don’t go against scientific laws

Answer 20

God made the rules - he can override them, like accidentals in music.
God isn’t bound by the same laws of physics as we are
Laws of nature describe the laws things in nature have on their own. With certain conditions. The conditions are the causes, and for miracles, the cause is God. The conditions change…
They aren’t contrary, but above or beyond. - Rock example