Christianity and science

• Empirical approach


  Evidence- and observation-based approach
• Rationalist approach


  Approach that uses reasoned thought
• Deductive approach


  1. Works from the general (a theory) to the specific (the observations)

  2. If the premises that lead to the conclusion are true, then there is certainty that the theory is true
• Inductive approach


  1. Works from the specific (observations) to the general (a theory)

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

  3. Involves observing and collecting evidence

  4. Coming up with a hypothesis based on examination of the evidence

  5. Repeated testing and maybe modification of the hypothesis

  6. Developing a theory that explains both evidence and results

  7. Using deduction to predict what should be the case and setting up tests to verify or falsify the theory
• Deism


  Belief that a deity (God) set things off (e.g. the Big Bang) and then left the universe to work according to the laws he created it with, but without acting on or influencing it any further
• Immanence


  God's presence and involvement in the universe, depicting God's nature as personal
• Existentialism


  View that humans define their own meaning in life; their choices make them what they are
• Christian existentialists think there is no conflict between religion and science as the two disciplines are asking different questions about the world
• Darwin's theory of evolution is based on inductive reasoning
• Natural selection


  The way in which individuals better suited to their environment survive to adulthood and reproduce, passing on their characteristics to their offspring
• Darwin's theory of evolution challenges traditional Christian views by rejecting the idea of all living things being distinct creations and the essential separateness of humanity from the animal world, and suggesting that the evolution of species was and is due to random mutations, removing any idea of purpose
• Christian responses to Darwin's theory of evolution


  • Many in the Church of England ridiculed the theory
  • Fundamentalist Christians dismissed the theory as human error
  • Many lost their Christian faith altogether
  • Most liberal Christians welcomed the theory
• Current Christian responses to Darwin's theory of evolution


  • Young earth creationists and some old earth creationists reject the theory totally
  • Some old earth creationists accept the theory in a diluted form
  • Michael Behe's version of Intelligent Design rejects evolution
  • Most Christians reject creationist views and see natural selection as the way in which God works
  • Catholic teaching rejects creationism and sees Christian beliefs and the theory of evolution as compatible
• The Big Bang theory suggests that about 13.8 billion years ago, there was a sudden burst of energy that marked the creation of time, space, matter and energy
• The Big Bang theory has been supported by the discovery in 1964 of cosmic microwave background radiation and by the abundance of helium and hydrogen in the universe
• God of the gaps


  Attributing anything that cannot be explained scientifically to God, which diminishes God as scientific understanding grows
• Christian responses to the Big Bang theory


  • Deism
  • God of the gaps approach
  • Young earth creationism
  • Old earth creationism
  • Catholic Church fully accepts the theory
  • Mainstream Christian responses see the evidence for the Big Bang theory as strong and God as a more likely explanation than chance
• The Catholic Church fully accepts the Big Bang theory
• God is a more likely explanation than chance.
• The Big Bang theory refers to the theory that the universe began c. 13.8 billion years ago from the rapid expansion of a point of infinite density (a Singularity).
• Pope Francis: 'The Big Bang, which today we hold to be the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator but, rather, requires it.'
• Anthropic principle


  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.
• Providence


  God creates, cares for and sustains life for a purpose, in a way that humans cannot detect.
• Christianity is compatible with science, in that both are different ways of understanding reality.
• Some see weaknesses in John Polkinghorne's claims.
• Genetic engineering


  The attempt to engineer a unique set of genes for the genetic modification of humans, animals and plants. It has a wide range of possible uses.
• Transhumans


  Humans who, once the technology has been developed, will have advanced physical, intellectual and psychological powers.
• Somatic-cell therapy


  A treatment intended to correct genetic disorders (therapeutic genetic engineering). It entails genetic modification of human cells that are not sex-cells and so will affect only the individual being treated.
• Germline therapy


  Intended to correct genetic disorders by genetically modifying the sex cells. This affects not only the person being treated but also his/her descendants.
• Enhancement therapy


  Genetic modification with a social not medical purpose. It is aimed at improving the human race in terms of intelligence, physical strength, appearance, etc.
• Catholics and many Protestants hold similar views about genetic engineering.
• There is some support for genetically modified crops, given their potential in possibly reducing biodiversity.
• There is some concern about genetic modification of animals among Catholics, as this could be seen as contrary to natural moral law.
• For Catholics and Protestants, there is the practical issue in transplantation (e.g. using the hearts of transgenic pigs) of the transmission of animal diseases to humans.
• Somatic-cell therapy is generally encouraged as a responsible use of God-given skills, providing undue risks are not taken and the benefits justify the costs.
• There is much more concern about germline therapy, as if a mistake were made, the bad effects would be passed down the generations. The bad effects are not necessarily foreseeable.
• Enhancement therapy, designed to create a superior human species (transhumans), is rejected by Catholics and many Protestants for many reasons.
• Joseph Fletcher held very different views, not advocating an 'anything goes' approach but believing that proper controls to prevent abuse and exploitation must be in place.
• Joseph Fletcher foresaw a time in the future when overpopulation or shortage of natural resources would necessitate the genetic modification of humans to enable them to live in the vastly different conditions of space.