While browsing the New Book table at Borders recently, I flipped through several pages of "God: The Failed Hypothesis. How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist ". The absurdity of the idea made it fairly compelling reading.
Using science to disprove God is like using a ruler to prove that the ocean is not wet. That water is wet should be self evident, but those who will not believe in wetness are insisting on proof using methodology that is totally irrelevant to the properties of water. God, simply by definition, is completely Other, wholly and forever beyond any capacity we mortals will ever have for measuring and testing. If we cannot accept that our mere existence is sufficient enough proof of God's existence, then there is nothing more that the laboratory can produce that will be any more convincing.
Prevailing Western culture believes we became enlightened when we enshrined human rationality and eliminated from our definition of reality everything that could not be seen, touched, measured, observed or tested. Such enlightened people now relegate things of the spirit to the annals of mythology as relics of primitive, ignorant savages.
And therein lies the problem, of course, because (to paraphrase Tozer) it is the spirit that apprehends God. It is the soul that has the ears and eyes that hear and see God.
Science is far too limited in what it can know for me to let it define my reality.
"I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself and spreading out the earth all alone, causing the omens of boasters to fail, making fools out of diviners, causing wise men to draw back and turning their knowledge into foolishness..." Is 44:24,25
Your wisdom and your knowledge, they have deluded you; for you have said in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me.'" Is 47:10b
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 1 Cor. 2:14
We sing about God because we believe in Him. We are not trying to offend anybody, but the evidence that we have seen of Him in our small little lives trumps your opinion about whether or not He exists. ~ Jeff Foxworthy
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I enjoyed the book which takes the same view which I (and apparently you Walt, though I shall not assume so) have: that "Faith in God and faith in science can be harmonious." It can easily be so as long as you respect the boundaries which science cannot cross, and that science can enhance Biblical views. It's probably one you've heard of or read, The Language of God by Francis S. Collins.
You're absolutely right, although I'd be curious to know exactly what kind of scientific methodology they used to "disprove" God. Maybe something to take a look at when there's time.
I was just looking at the book on Amazon. Some of the comments actually made me laugh.
"Darwin chased God out of his old haunts in biology, and he scurried for safety down the rabbit hole of physics". Really? God is "hiding" behind physics? That thought alone is laughable.
and, "Next the premise that the Universe is especially congenial for life is analyzed which reveals that any God should have done a much better job making the Universe a more comfortable home for his special creatures". Yes, that was his goal, I am sure.
I don't think I'll bother reading any further, except for pure entertainment. I actually thought for a moment the text might contain some challenging ideas.
Since I'm on such a roll (I think this is the most I've ever commented on your blog!), something else worth quoting:
"Science proved that the Universe does NOT revolve around the Earth. Well, it has also proven that it does NOT revolve around humans either. And since scientifically, we Humans are nothing special, how can we entertain the notion that Real is ONLY whatever we can grasp? That concept is pure theology at best - if not superstitious."
Dear, Dear Walt,
I find your honest vulnerability refreshing. Sure, there's sadness all around but some Christians are afraid to confrong, much less admit, a dryness of the soul (I'm not sure if this is the term Richard Foster used, but it's the idea). This last year, I taught British lit and we not only read The Screwtape Letters, but studied the life and times of C.S. Lewis. His response to his wife's death was so different than it would have been before his conversion. I'm not sure where it read or saw some of these details but as soon as we get unpacked, God willing, I'll find and share them with you. Anyway, I was just going to greet you since I couldn't just read your blog without responding (would like to hug you two!). Be encouraged that you are chosen and empowered to deal with whatever this life throws at you. Love you bunches. Please share this with Yvonne-chan :) Sincerely, Kathy B.
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