theory, facts & faith - pathlighters · definitions & examples - theory big bang theory -...
TRANSCRIPT
Review
We have examined:
1. Time-lines of Gospels
2. Gospels meet requirements for historical
accuracy
3. Extra-biblical writings show Jesus as
historical
4. Scientific data requiring an old earth creation
5. Jesus Seminar
Definitions & Examples - Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a suggested, testable
solution for unexplained phenomena that
does not fit into current accepted
scientific theory.
Definitions & Examples - Hypothesis
Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) –
If the early universe was very hot, there
should be a cosmic microwave background
radiation (heat) remnant leftover after the
Big Bang event.
1948 – Ralph Alpherin, predicted the CMB
1964 – CMB radiation was discovered by Penzias and
Wilson with the Holmdel Microwave Horn Antenna
Ever see TV snow?
Definitions & Examples - Hypothesis
The Cosmological Constant (CC) –
The cosmological constant is the value of the
energy density of the vacuum of space
1917 – Albert Einstein’s General Relativity of Relativity
predicted the CC. It was assigned a negative value to
achieve a steady state universe – CC<0
1929 – Lowell Hubble discovered galaxies are moving
away from each other, an expanding universe – CC=0
1998, Two projects obtained results indicating
acceleration in the expansion of the universe – CC>0
Definitions & Examples - Theory
A coherent proposition formulated to
explain a group of facts or phenomena in
the natural world and repeatedly
confirmed through experiment or
observation
Definitions & Examples - Theory
Steady State Theory – the mass density of the
universe remains unchanged due to a continuous
creation of matter. The universe remains the same
at any time as well as at any place in history.
1920 – Sir James Jeans and revised in 1948 by Bondi and
Gold.
1929 – Einstein abandoned the concept when expansion
was proven
Definitions & Examples - Theory
Big Bang Theory - the universe began as a small singularity, then over the next 13.8 billion years expanded to the universe we know today
Before 1927 - “Steady State”
1927 – Georges Lemaitre, a Belgian physicist and Roman Catholic priest proposed that the inferred recession of the galaxies was really the expansion of the universe.
1931 – the expansion of the Universe means the farther back you go, the smaller the universe will be. At some point in the past, it becomes a single point from which everything came.
Definitions & Examples - Theory
Big Bang Theory Tests:
1. Expansion of universe
2. Density of lite elements
3. Cosmic Background Radiation
4. Uniformity
5. Age
Definitions & Examples - Theory
Big Bang Theory Problems:
1. The Flatness Problem
2. The Horizon Problem
3. The Monopole Problem
4. The Big Bang model does not explain why the
universe is so uniform on the very largest scales
yet so non-uniform on smaller scales
Definitions & Examples - Theory
Inflation Theory (moving from hypothesis to theory) –
the early universe expanded exponentially. The inflationary epoch lasted from 10−36 seconds after the Big Bang to sometime between 10−33 and 10−32 seconds.
1980 – developed to explain several puzzles with the standard Big Bang theory
Explained:
1. The large-scale uniformity of our universe – flatness
2. The origin of non-uniform structures and uniformity of the microwave background radiation
Definitions & Examples - Facts
Any scientific observation that has been
repeatedly confirmed and accepted as
true
Definitions & Examples - Facts
Cosmological Constant = 2.036 x 10-35, fine-tuned to 1X10-120
The Hubble Constant – the rate at which a galaxy is moving away from us, has been found to be 70.4 Kilometers/sec/3.3 million light years (203, 000 miles per hour)
In 1929, Edwin Hubble found that the farther galaxies were from Earth, the faster they appear to be moving..
Mass of electron = 9.1x10-31 kg
Speed of light = 670,600,000 MPH
Definitions & Examples – Laws
A fact often reduced to a mathematical
statement based on empirical data and is
generally confined to a certain set of
conditions.
Definitions & Examples - Laws
Newton’s Laws of Motion
1. V=D/T – An object either remains at rest or continues
to move at a constant velocity, unless acted upon by a
net force
2. F=MA – Force equals Mass times Acceleration
3. F1=(-F2) or M1A=M2(-A) – When one body exerts a
force on a second body, the second body
simultaneously exerts a force equal in magnitude and
opposite in direction on the first body.
Definitions & Examples - Laws
Albert Einstein’s “Special Theory of Relativity”
E=MC2 – the total energy in any object is equal to its
mass times the speed of light squared.
Time is not constant – A moving clock ticks slower than
a stationary one (from the stationary clock’s point of
view) and a higher clock will tick slower than a lower
one
World’s Definition & Examples – Faith
Faith is (dictionary.com):
1. Belief that is not based on any proof
2. Belief in God or in the doctrines or
teachings of religion
3. Belief in anything, as a code of ethics,
standards of merit, etc.
4. A system of religious belief
World’s Definition & Examples – Faith
Faith is believing what you want to
believe, yet cannot prove.
Many people, including some Christians,
try to live with this definition of faith.
What are the implications
of this definition?
Implications of the World’s Definition of Faith
For some it feels liberating
• It means being able to believe in anything you
want to believe
• No explanation is required; actually, no
explanation can be given
• It is just a matter of faith
Post-Modernism is a great example
Implications of the World’s Definition of Faith
For others, such a definition is sickening
• Embracing faith means you stop thinking
• As faith increases, reason and meaning
eventually disappear
• No explanations can be given, and none can be
expected
• Living in faith is living in the dark
Implications of the World’s Definition of Faith
For some Christians, it’s an opportunity
to get things they want
• Enough faith gets you what you want
• Weak faith, however, gets you nothing, so you
are constantly working to “deepen” your faith
Implications of the World’s Definition of Faith
Greg Koukl (President of Stand to Reason) sums up this view of faith, “It’s religious wishful thinking, in which one squeezes out spiritual hope by intense acts of sheer will. People of ‘faith’ believe the impossible. People of ‘faith’ believe that which is contrary to fact. People of ‘faith’ believe that which is contrary to evidence. People of ‘faith’ ignore reality.” It shouldn’t therefore come as a great surprise to us, that “normal” people raise their eyebrows when ‘faith’ in Christ is mentioned. Is it strange to us that they seem to prefer what to them seems like reason over our faith’s insanity?”
Biblical Definition & Examples – Faith
Faith is: Being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see.
From the Complete Jewish Bible
Hebrews 11:1 – Trusting is being confident of
what we hope for, convinced about things we do
not see.
Biblical Definition & Examples – Faith
Being sure of what we hope for and certain
of what we do not see
Sure – hypostasis (to set under) – core foundation
and an exact representation Hebrews 1:3
Hope for – expected or be confident in
Certain – proof (evidence) that brings conviction
Do not see – absolute negative of to look at
Previous Passages
To understand the authors meaning, we must
understand the preceding passages:
Hebrews 10:26-31 – What is was like being lost,
not knowing Jesus
Hebrews 10:32-39 – What it is like knowing and
walking with Jesus
Previous Passages
Hebrews 10:32-39
• Remember those days when you received Jesus
• You were publicly exposed to insult and persecution
• You stood side by side with those who were so treated
• You sympathized with those in prison
• You joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property
• You knew that you had better and lasting possessions
• Do not throw away your confidence
• You need to persevere so you will receive his promises
• He will come for you soon; he will not delay
• We are those who believe and are saved
Biblical Definition & Examples – Faith
Being sure of what we hope for and certainof what we do not see
Sure – based on the foundation and personal experience with Jesus, who is the exact image of God
Hope for – confident in Jesus’ promises because of your experience with him
Certain – historical and personal proof or evidence that brings conviction – trust/certainty
Do not see – even though we have not yet seen the outcomes of our faith.
How does science affect faith for good or ill?
Hypothesis – A suggested, testable solution for unexplained phenomena that does not fit into current accepted scientific theory.
Theory – A coherent proposition formulated to explain a group of facts or phenomena in the natural world and repeatedly confirmed through experiment or observation.
Fact – Any scientific observation that has been repeatedly confirmed and accepted as true.
Law – A fact often reduced to a mathematical statement based on empirical data and is generally confined to a certain set of conditions.
Faith – Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.