Theory, Facts & Faith - Pathlighters · Definitions & Examples - Theory Big Bang Theory - the...

Theory, Facts & Faith

The Historical Jesus

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

Tonight:We will examine how science

affects faith for good or ill

Theory, Facts & Faith

Definitions & Examples - Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a suggested, testable

solution for unexplained phenomena that

does not fit into current accepted

scientific theory.


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?


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


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


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.


Big Bang Theory Tests:

1. Expansion of universe

2. Density of lite elements

3. Cosmic Background Radiation

4. Uniformity

5. Age


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


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


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


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


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.


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


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.

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