Rise of Science & Christian Responses - Christianity & Science

Which periods saw a great change in scientific thinking ?

Renaissance & Englightenment

What approaches were scientific thinking based on ?

Empirical & Rationalist

Empirical Approach

An evidence and observation-based approach

Rationalist Approach

An approach that uses reasoned thought

Approaches used to gaining knowledge

Deductive & Inductive

Deductive Approach

- Works from the general (a theory) to the specific (the observations)

- If the premises that lead to the conclusion are true, then there is CERTAINTY that the theory is true

Inductive Approach

- Works from the specific (the observations) to the general (a theory)

- The more evidence there is to suggest that the observations are correct, the more likely it is that the theory will be true.

- This approach leads to PROBABILITY rather than ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY

Christian responses to the rise of science

Deism & Existentialism

Deism

- Popular in 18th Century & even today

- Belief that a deity (God) "set things off" (e.g. Big Bang)

- He then left the universe to work according to the laws he created it with, without intervening any further

Why do most Christians reject Deism?

- Not compatible with commonly accepted doctrines

- E.g. Incarnation of Jesus, immanence of God in prayer & miracles of Jesus recorded in the Gospels

Existentialism

- Concerned with the meaning & purpose of life and view faith as a matter of personal commitment

- Therefore they accept both religion & science

- This is because they believe the two disciplines are asking different questions about the world