lesson one: science is not a sacred cow

From Wayne From Wayne Jackson’s bookJackson’s book

Science Is Not A Sacred CowScience Is Not A Sacred Cow

• IntroductionIntroduction– Has modern science made the Bible obsolete?Has modern science made the Bible obsolete?– Fact: True science and the Bible are in perfect Fact: True science and the Bible are in perfect

harmony.harmony.– The “spiritual” truths of the Bible cannot be The “spiritual” truths of the Bible cannot be

meaningful but the “scientific” references be flawed. meaningful but the “scientific” references be flawed. • ““The sum of thy word is truth” (Psa. 119:160). The sum of thy word is truth” (Psa. 119:160).


• Science Is Not a ReligionScience Is Not a Religion– To many people, “Science” has become a religion. Just To many people, “Science” has become a religion. Just

hearing the word “Science” seems to have magic.hearing the word “Science” seems to have magic.– So enchanted with science, man has outgrown the need So enchanted with science, man has outgrown the need

for Godfor God• ““The discoveries of astronomers, geologists, and space explorers The discoveries of astronomers, geologists, and space explorers

have undermined the faith of all but the most devout…and [even] have undermined the faith of all but the most devout…and [even] among believers, God is more likely to be seen as a force or spirit among believers, God is more likely to be seen as a force or spirit than as an all-seeing watcher over human behavior” (Vance than as an all-seeing watcher over human behavior” (Vance Packard, 1968).Packard, 1968).

• With the advent of Darwin’s theory of evolution, “it [is] possible With the advent of Darwin’s theory of evolution, “it [is] possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist” (Dawkins, Oxford, 1986).to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist” (Dawkins, Oxford, 1986).

– There is a serious misunderstanding of what science is, There is a serious misunderstanding of what science is, what it can and cannot do!what it can and cannot do!


• Science DefinedScience Defined– From Latin term, simply means “knowledge”From Latin term, simply means “knowledge”– ““Knowledge based upon the observation and testing Knowledge based upon the observation and testing

of facts worked into an ordered system acting as a of facts worked into an ordered system acting as a base for new knowledge and a guide for ways of base for new knowledge and a guide for ways of getting it” – getting it” – Basic Dictionary of Science, GrahamBasic Dictionary of Science, Graham

– ““Knowledge derived from observation, study and Knowledge derived from observation, study and experimentation carried on in order to determine experimentation carried on in order to determine the nature or principles of what is being studied” – the nature or principles of what is being studied” – Webster’s DictionaryWebster’s Dictionary

– Problem: the word “science” can be used rather Problem: the word “science” can be used rather loosely to speak of matters that are not scienceloosely to speak of matters that are not science


• Scientific MethodScientific Method– A collection of rules or principles by which one arrives A collection of rules or principles by which one arrives

at true “scientific” knowledgeat true “scientific” knowledge


• Scientific MethodScientific Method1.1. Observation of FactsObservation of Facts• Must be able to perceive the data empirically (with senses)Must be able to perceive the data empirically (with senses)

2.2. Statement of a ProblemStatement of a Problem• Based upon observation, a question is asked or a problem Based upon observation, a question is asked or a problem

is identified.is identified.

3.3. Formation of a HypothesisFormation of a Hypothesis• Before testing or experimentation, one may propose an Before testing or experimentation, one may propose an

hypothesis as a possible explanation – an idea based on hypothesis as a possible explanation – an idea based on observations.observations.


• Scientific MethodScientific Method4.4. Testing/Experimentation of the Hypothesis Testing/Experimentation of the Hypothesis • Testing will show if the hypothesis is true or falseTesting will show if the hypothesis is true or false• Testing is repeated several times to make sure the first Testing is repeated several times to make sure the first

results were completely accurate.results were completely accurate.

5.5. Hypothesis Classified as a TheoryHypothesis Classified as a Theory• After many observations, tests & loads of experimental After many observations, tests & loads of experimental

evidence, a hypothesis may become classified as a “theory.”evidence, a hypothesis may become classified as a “theory.”• A theory is not “proof” of anything; merely suggests A theory is not “proof” of anything; merely suggests

sufficient evidence to warrant further testing.sufficient evidence to warrant further testing.• Theories are flexible enough to be modified if new Theories are flexible enough to be modified if new

data/evidence is introduced.data/evidence is introduced.


• Scientific MethodScientific Method– An important note about scientific “theories”An important note about scientific “theories”• Any view which cannot be subjected to a testing process Any view which cannot be subjected to a testing process

cannot qualify as a hypothesis or a theory.cannot qualify as a hypothesis or a theory.• Ideas which deal with the origin of the universe or the Ideas which deal with the origin of the universe or the

origin of human beings cannot be labeled properly as origin of human beings cannot be labeled properly as “science.” They are “science.” They are notnot capable of being tested. capable of being tested.

• Some honest scientists have admitted that the idea of Some honest scientists have admitted that the idea of human evolution does not pass the criterion of a “credible human evolution does not pass the criterion of a “credible theory” (R. Danson, 1971).theory” (R. Danson, 1971).


• Scientific MethodScientific Method1.1. Observation of FactsObservation of Facts2.2. Statement of a ProblemStatement of a Problem3.3. Formation of a HypothesisFormation of a Hypothesis4.4. Testing/Experimentation of the Hypothesis Testing/Experimentation of the Hypothesis 5.5. Hypothesis Classified as a TheoryHypothesis Classified as a Theory6.6. Theory Established as LawTheory Established as Law• Theory formulated Theory formulated widely tested widely tested facts firmly facts firmly

established established receive the status of a “law” receive the status of a “law”• Examples: Laws of Reflection, Laws of ThermodynamicsExamples: Laws of Reflection, Laws of Thermodynamics• Laws stand the test of time, experimentally confirmed Laws stand the test of time, experimentally confirmed

over and over.over and over.


• Scientific MethodScientific Method– An important note about scientific “laws”An important note about scientific “laws”• The Laws of Thermodynamics have been tested over and The Laws of Thermodynamics have been tested over and

over, proven themselves, and are firmly established.over, proven themselves, and are firmly established.• Evolution is Evolution is notnot a scientific “law.” a scientific “law.”• By definition, evolution is By definition, evolution is notnot a scientific “theory.” a scientific “theory.”• How absurd for some scientists to assert:How absurd for some scientists to assert:

– Evolution is a scientific law “as firmly established even as the Evolution is a scientific law “as firmly established even as the rotundity of the earth” (quoted in Bales, 1976).rotundity of the earth” (quoted in Bales, 1976).

– ““Evolution [is as] well documented as any phenomenon in Evolution [is as] well documented as any phenomenon in science, as strongly as the earth’s revolution around the sun” science, as strongly as the earth’s revolution around the sun” (Stephen Gould, Harvard, 1999).(Stephen Gould, Harvard, 1999).


• The Limitations of ScienceThe Limitations of Science– Science is limited to sense perceptionScience is limited to sense perception• If a proposition cannot be tested or subjected to empirical If a proposition cannot be tested or subjected to empirical

analyses, it does not fall within the domain of science.analyses, it does not fall within the domain of science.

– Science deals with the presentScience deals with the present• True science demands experimentation in the here-and-True science demands experimentation in the here-and-

nownow

– Science is limited to Science is limited to howhow things work, not things work, not whywhy they they happenhappen• Example: Forensic science can explain how a bullet is Example: Forensic science can explain how a bullet is

fired and enters a victim’s body, but it cannot determine fired and enters a victim’s body, but it cannot determine whether the shooting was murder or a tragic accident. whether the shooting was murder or a tragic accident.


• The Limitations of ScienceThe Limitations of Science– Science deals only with matter (the material)Science deals only with matter (the material)• Matter occupies space and can be perceived.Matter occupies space and can be perceived.• ““Science does not embrace all phenomena and it has not, Science does not embrace all phenomena and it has not,

for its use, all the criteria of truth” (Evolutionist Louis for its use, all the criteria of truth” (Evolutionist Louis More, 1925).More, 1925).

• ““Science deals with but a partial aspect of reality, and…Science deals with but a partial aspect of reality, and…there is [not the] faintest reason for supposing that there is [not the] faintest reason for supposing that everything science ignores is less real than the world it everything science ignores is less real than the world it accepts” (a brilliant physicist, J.W.N. Sullivan, 1940).accepts” (a brilliant physicist, J.W.N. Sullivan, 1940).


• The Limitations of ScienceThe Limitations of Science– Science deals with phenomena that are repeatableScience deals with phenomena that are repeatable• It cannot address unique events (like historical miracles)It cannot address unique events (like historical miracles)• In science, “observations and experiments must always In science, “observations and experiments must always

be reported in such a way that they can be repeated and be reported in such a way that they can be repeated and verified, and must always be repeated and verified before verified, and must always be repeated and verified before they are incorporated into the body of knowledge” they are incorporated into the body of knowledge” (Evolutionist Helena Curtis, 1975).(Evolutionist Helena Curtis, 1975).

• Evolutionists claim that life accidentally jump-started Evolutionists claim that life accidentally jump-started (“spontaneously generated”) itself billions of years ago (“spontaneously generated”) itself billions of years ago (passing it off as “science”), but that event can neither be (passing it off as “science”), but that event can neither be repeated nor verified. Thus, it cannot be classified as repeated nor verified. Thus, it cannot be classified as “science.”“science.”

• ““Spontaneous generation” is a philosophical “belief,” not Spontaneous generation” is a philosophical “belief,” not a scientific proposition.a scientific proposition.


• The Checkered Past of ScienceThe Checkered Past of Science– Blunders of a colossal magnitude along the way that have Blunders of a colossal magnitude along the way that have

been called “science” & taught as “science”:been called “science” & taught as “science”:• The eternality of matterThe eternality of matter• Spontaneous generation of lifeSpontaneous generation of life• Recapitulation theory (human embryo passes thru evolutionary stages)Recapitulation theory (human embryo passes thru evolutionary stages)• ““Vestigial” organs in human body from evolutionary pastVestigial” organs in human body from evolutionary past• ““Steady state” theory (matter is being continuously created)Steady state” theory (matter is being continuously created)• Geocentric theory (sun revolves around the earth)Geocentric theory (sun revolves around the earth)• The earth is flat (believed sail off the edge of the planet)The earth is flat (believed sail off the edge of the planet)• The earth is supported by solid pillarsThe earth is supported by solid pillars• Preformation theory (in ova are complete human beings in miniature)Preformation theory (in ova are complete human beings in miniature)• The human brain is composed of “earth”The human brain is composed of “earth”• Astrology (planets determine human destiny)Astrology (planets determine human destiny)• Man-made global warmingMan-made global warming


• The Checkered Past of ScienceThe Checkered Past of Science– Blunders of a colossal magnitude along the way that have Blunders of a colossal magnitude along the way that have

been called “science” & taught as “science”been called “science” & taught as “science”– Some who have posed as “scientists” have been the most Some who have posed as “scientists” have been the most

gullible, egotistical people on earth.gullible, egotistical people on earth.– Astounding Fact: The Holy Scriptures, the book that scientists Astounding Fact: The Holy Scriptures, the book that scientists

disdain and discard, though it was composed over 16 disdain and discard, though it was composed over 16 centuries, never endorsed a single one of these baseless centuries, never endorsed a single one of these baseless theories! The Bible is right every time!theories! The Bible is right every time!


• ConclusionConclusion– Not everything today that is called “science” actually is!Not everything today that is called “science” actually is!– We need not be intimidated by the wild assertions that We need not be intimidated by the wild assertions that

“science” disproves the existence of God or “science” “science” disproves the existence of God or “science” undermines faith.undermines faith.

– Science simply cannot deal with such matters, and we must Science simply cannot deal with such matters, and we must not allow ourselves to be mesmerized by powerful sounding not allow ourselves to be mesmerized by powerful sounding words that have no basis in fact or truth.words that have no basis in fact or truth.

lesson one: science is not a sacred cow

Documents

true science

word science

hypothesis hypothesis

hypothesis testing

basic dictionary of

testing of facts

hypothesisbefore testing

testing process