Chrstianity and Science - how?

[tatteredsoul]

I would love to get simply yes/no answers on these 4 questions to get some insight in how Christians view science.

Do Christians believe the universe has existed for 13 billion years?

I dont. I believe the universe is older than time as per genesis 1:1.

Do Christians believe the Big Bang happened, and was the beginning of everything within the universe?

I dont.

Do Christians believe that earth has existed for 4.5 billion years?

Again, Genesis 1:1... older than time.

Do Christians believe neanderthals were living on earth 500,000 years ago?

I dont.



You may also take note that belief in these theories doesn't provide for a good indicator of one''s ability to understand the science behind these theories and models.

There are many scientists that understand the physics behind the big bang, for example, but do not agree with the theory.

Then, there are people who believe these models and theories because an authority on the topic said it. Even these same authorities who may full well understand the material, but do not agree with the standardization of the model.

I know questions like these are especially used as algorithms for labeling the "intelligent, science believing" Christians from the crazy ones, but it isn't really a good test. There are many Christian physicists, mathematicians, chemists, biologists, doctors and nurses, engineers and computer scientists that truly believe in God, and believe a different respective (and corresponding) philosophy of standardized sciences.

At the end of the day, science is philosophy. Philosophies change, and are open to everyone.[/QUOTE]

 

[jordanconnect]

Thank you so much for the replies.

You all (except one certain individual) seem to be very open minded and happy to inform which is appreciated. I am now aware that some Christians may have disagreements on some specific aspects of Christianity (such as age/origins of human beings).

I am absolutely blown away by the poll shown above indicating nearly half of the entire american population believe in a 'creator' and less than one fifth believe we are simply a result of evolution.

Thanks again.

 

[mark kennedy]

Thank you so much for the replies.

You all (except one certain individual) seem to be very open minded and happy to inform which is appreciated. I am now aware that some Christians may have disagreements on some specific aspects of Christianity (such as age/origins of human beings).

I am absolutely blown away by the poll shown above indicating nearly half of the entire american population believe in a 'creator' and less than one fifth believe we are simply a result of evolution.

Thanks again.

What has long interested me about the Pew survey has been the fact that the statistic for a creationist view remains consistent. What is also interesting is that the secular view is on the rise, it's been something of a curiosity for me for a while.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[Radagast]

I am absolutely blown away by the poll shown above indicating nearly half of the entire american population believe in a 'creator' and less than one fifth believe we are simply a result of evolution.

Why? The overwhelming majority of people in the US are Christian (70.6% on latest stats, with only 7.1% being atheist/agnostic). Of course they believe that God created people (possibly using evolutionary means).

To say that people are simply a result of evolution is to deny everything spiritual.

 

[Radagast]

What is also interesting is that the secular view is on the rise

The current 19% secular could be explained as people with the following answers on the religion survey:
- Buddhist 0.7%
- Other World Religions 0.3%
- Other faiths/New Age 1.5%
- Atheist 3.1%
- Agnostic 4.0%
- Nothing in particular (religion not important) 8.8%
- Don't know 0.6%

The 73% certain that God was involved could be explained as Christians (70.6%) plus some of the Jews (1.9%) and Muslims (0.9%).

Of course, it wouldn't really be quite that neat.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Ok so based on everyone's replies, can it be said that Christian's believe the following about science related suggestions?

Do Christians believe the universe has existed for 13 billion years?
Yes, god created it approx. 13 billion years ago

Do Christians believe the Big Bang happened, and was the beginning of everything within the universe?
Yes, god triggered the big bang approx. 13 billion years ago

Do Christians believe that earth has existed for 4.5 billion years?
Yes, god created earth approx. 4.5 billion years ago

Do Christians believe neanderthals were living on earth 500,000 years ago?
No. Adam, the first man, was created approx. 6,000 years ago. All information regarding any humans (man or woman) prior to approx. 6,000 years ago is false.

?

No. Not all Christians believe Adam was a literal figure in history.

 

[Swan7]

Do Christians believe the universe has existed for 13 billion years?
Do Christians believe the Big Bang happened, and was the beginning of everything within the universe?
Do Christians believe that earth has existed for 4.5 billion years?
Do Christians believe neanderthals were living on earth 500,000 years ago?

I, as a Christian, do not believe that in all the above.

 

[mark kennedy]

No. Not all Christians believe Adam was a literal figure in history.

Paul did, Luke did, Moses obviously did.

 

[mark kennedy]

The current 19% secular could be explained as people with the following answers on the religion survey:
- Buddhist 0.7%
- Other World Religions 0.3%
- Other faiths/New Age 1.5%
- Atheist 3.1%
- Agnostic 4.0%
- Nothing in particular (religion not important) 8.8%
- Don't know 0.6%

The 73% certain that God was involved could be explained as Christians (70.6%) plus some of the Jews (1.9%) and Muslims (0.9%).

Of course, it wouldn't really be quite that neat.

Where are you getting these statistics?

 

[hedrick]

It's often hard to know how people understand questions. A Christian could well prefer a non religious description of evolution to saying that God guided it. While I believe in Gods overall providence, that doesn't mean that God necessarily tweaked evolution repeatedly. This I might not choose the option of evolution guided by God.

 

[Radagast]

Where are you getting these statistics?

Pew Forum.

 

[Raggedyman]

No
No
No
No

Now if I may ask
Do you believe in the Big Bang, that once there was nothing and then bang, everything, every single element, every element from thin air, magic, poof, into existence from nothing, planets, Suns, universes forming non randomly from nothing?
Then do you believe space dirt and space water from nothing, somehow, unscientificaly, just somehow formed life in a puddle?

And then with these great leaps of faith you want to bring in the word science, science like the Big Bang and abiogenesis, hey lets throw in evolution as well, are science?
They are all beliefs, they need a very solid faith to believe, not one of those theories has a drop of scientific evidence to explain them, huge leaps of faith

I think it's funny how the words science can be used around Big Bang, abiogenesis and evolution when they are religious beliefs
I find it funnier that you ask those with a faith in God if science is relevant

Is science relevant in the secular religions is my question

So yes or no
Did a Big Bang from nothing create every element in the universe, how
Did life evolve from space dirt and space water
Scientific evidence (empirical) for evolution
I would be interested what you believe

 

[rockytopva]

If E = mc2 then we can divide and conclude that...

Mass (m) = Energy (E/c2)

And there are three varieties...

Natural E/c2 - All mass is basically cooled plasma
Mental E/c2 - Mentally, A mathematical formula, but this has chemical and spiritual properties as well.
Spiritual E/c2 - E (motivation, warmth, love) / c2 (faith, hope, charity, joy)

Mass cannot be created or destroyed; it merely changes from throughout the universal ages. And approximately 13 billion years ago the mass dissociated into plasma and back into mass as what was known as the big boom. Who knows in all of eternity how many times the mass has turned to plasma... And the plasma back into mass? What form was the mass in 13 billion times 13 billion years ago?

The mass is due to change back into plasma energy one more time...

10 The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? - 2 Peter 3

 

[YouAreAwesome]

I would love to get simply yes/no answers on these 4 questions to get some insight in how Christians view science.

Do Christians believe the universe has existed for 13 billion years?
Do Christians believe the Big Bang happened, and was the beginning of everything within the universe?
Do Christians believe that earth has existed for 4.5 billion years?
Do Christians believe neanderthals were living on earth 500,000 years ago?

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes

 

[mark kennedy]

It's often hard to know how people understand questions. A Christian could well prefer a non religious description of evolution to saying that God guided it. While I believe in Gods overall providence, that doesn't mean that God necessarily tweaked evolution repeatedly. This I might not choose the option of evolution guided by God.

You mean he wound it up like a clock and let it run on it's own devices?

 

[Johnnz]

I would love to get simply yes/no answers on these 4 questions to get some insight in how Christians view science.

Do Christians believe the universe has existed for 13 billion years?

Many do, more fundamentalist believers are less likely to. I do accept that position.

Do Christians believe the Big Bang happened, and was the beginning of everything within the universe?

As above. I do insofar as that is what seems to be the case from our current knowledge.

Do Christians believe that earth has existed for 4.5 billion years?

Again as above.

Do Christians believe neanderthals were living on earth 500,000 years ago?

As above. I hold a view that sees the Genesis story as a matter of the 'why' not 'when' and 'how'. It is possible to look at the account and what follows after the creation story as suggestive of other past events that we are not given more information about. There is a back story which we just don't know. Evidence does suggests other forms of humanity existed at some stage.

John
NZ

 

[Ethan Frome]

I can't speak for everyone, but here are my answers.

I am not sure how long the universe has been around. I am pretty much reliant upon the representations of the experts. 13 billion may be right, give or take a quadrillion or so. All I know is that it has been here a lot longer than anyone I know.

I really don't think the big bang happened, I don't think scientists will either in 100,000 years.

As for the earth, see my universe response above.

I do not believe Neanderthals existed 500,000 years ago. The hominids we call Neanderthals did exist, but it was more like 50,000 years ago.

 

[mark kennedy]

If E = mc2 then we can divide and conclude that...

Mass (m) = Energy (E/c2)

And there are three varieties...

Natural E/c2 - All mass is basically cooled plasma
Mental E/c2 - Mentally, A mathematical formula, but this has chemical and spiritual properties as well.
Spiritual E/c2 - E (motivation, warmth, love) / c2 (faith, hope, charity, joy)

Mass cannot be created or destroyed; it merely changes from throughout the universal ages. And approximately 13 billion years ago the mass dissociated into plasma and back into mass as what was known as the big boom. Who knows in all of eternity how many times the mass has turned to plasma... And the plasma back into mass? What form was the mass in 13 billion times 13 billion years ago?

There mass is due to change back into plasma energy one more time...

10 The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? - 2 Peter 3

Yea the whole light to energy to mass actually makes a lot of sense given What we know about creation. Peter talking about the elements burning with a fervant heat and cosmologists telling us the universe and earth took millions of years to cool.

The is something called the shikinah glory of God in the Old Testament. It was in the Holy of holies, appeared above the tent of the meeting when Israel wanted to kill Joshua and Caleb, and departed along with the Ark of the Covenant in the time of Ezekiel. Its described almost like a cloud the radiates intense light. People say God created the universe out of nothing but I say, why not out if pure light?

 

[mark kennedy]

As above. I hold a view that sees the Genesis story as a matter of the 'why' not 'when' and 'how'. It is possible to look at the account and what follows after the creation story as suggestive of other past events that we are not given more information about. There is a back story which we just don't know. Evidence does suggests other forms of humanity existed at some stage.

John
NZ

On the contrary we definitely have the who, Elohim or God almighty. We have what, the heaven's and the earth, life in general and man in particular. What we don't know is why.

Now As to this backstory the earliest civilization on earth was Ewypt, built no more the ten thousand years ago. The cradle of civilization was Babylon the first empire know to man getting started right around that time. We know Eden was in the same location as Babylon and we know this from the mention of the Tigeris and Euphrates.

The stone age ape men are myths. The Neanderthals had a cranial capacity ten percent greater then our own and their remains are found scattered from Iraq to Spain. Easily the oldest human fossils on earth and the comparison of their DNA to ours indicates we could interbreed if they were alive today. In 200,000 years they erected nothing of any size or significance that survived them, nor anyone else for 190,000 years then one day erected the great pyrimides of Ewypt.

 

[7trees]

I would love to get simply yes/no answers on these 4 questions to get some insight in how Christians view science.

Do Christians believe the universe has existed for 13 billion years?
Do Christians believe the Big Bang happened, and was the beginning of everything within the universe?
Do Christians believe that earth has existed for 4.5 billion years?
Do Christians believe neanderthals were living on earth 500,000 years ago?

You may be interested to know that 'Science' may be changing its views as the calculations used to guess the age of the universe- which were based on Einstein's work, were questioned about a year ago and errors detected. There is a big chance that ten years from now if not much earlier the consensus will be that the universe is far older than suspected and there was no Big Bang.

http://phys.org/news/2015-02-big-quantum-equation-universe.html

http://www.livescience.com/49958-theory-no-big-bang.html

I only put these links to be considered- not as reflecting what I may believe. The interesting thing however is that in the past many Christians left Christian fundamentalism or even Christianity because 'Science' proved the Big Bang...