Faith and Reason

Corey Miller from Ratio Christi joins Bryan in the studio for this 3-part apologetic series for those who are struggling to connect God to science.

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3 Angles on Faith and Reason

Talking Points:

  • Many people think faith is blind – even Christians! Skeptics respond that faith is for those who want to “turn off their brains” or who need a “crutch” to get through life.
  • History proves that Christian faith in compatible with reason. Historically, Christianity was a part the Western knowledge tradition. Christian faith was not viewed as opposed to, but rather as comaptible with, knowledge. The “faith vs. reason” or “faith vs. science” are relatively recent.
  • Scripture teaches that faith goes beyond mere belief. Faith is more than intellectual assent but it is not less than intellectual assent. Faith works alongside reason, not in opposition to it (Hebrews 11:1). Unfortunlatey, many believe faith is necessarily opposed to reason.
  • Philosophy requires that reasonable belief is unavoidable. This applies not just to religious beliefs but even to everyday beliefs. We believe that the chairs we sit in will not collapse beneath us – we don’t know they won’t – yet we still must exercise faith that our chairs won’t randomly break if we ever want to take a load off! We all have faith and beliefs, even in things as simple as our furniture working properly.

Quote This:

Hebrews 11:1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Read Hebrews 11:1. How do you define faith?
  3. Do you struggle (or have you struggled) with the concept of faith? Explain.
  4. What are the common criticisms you hear from those who don’t believe in God or in the Bible?
  5. Why is it important to understand that until very recently, faith and reason were seen as partners rather than as rivals?
  6. How should the historical partnership of faith and reason influence how we think about them today?
  7. What is the difference between believing “that” versus believing “in”?
  8. Have you ever known someone who “believed” something but really didn’t act like it? Explain.
  9. What are some examples of things we put our faith in – other than God/religion – even though we don’t have 100% certainty in them?
  10. Why is it important to understand that to some degree everyone exercises faith?
  11. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

4 Assumptions of Modern Science

Talking Points:

  • Science assumes that nature exists. The existence of the external world is assumed by science – and by most of us as we live our daily lives – yet it is not possible to know with complete certainty whether or not our senses are deceiving us as to the true nature of reality.
  • Science assumes nature has an intelligible order that can be known. We have discovered chemical elements that fall into natural groupings which we arrange according to an atomic number. However, this assumes that we can know things in and of themselves.
  • Science assumes the existence and applicability of the laws of logic. Scientists borrow from philosophy and use the laws of logic, such as the law of non-contradiction, the law of identity, the law of excluded middle to discuss their own experimental observations, inferences, and conclusions about what is true of the world.
  • Science assumes the reliability of our senses to deliver truth about the world. Our senses aren’t reliable indicators of objective truth and it’s possible that our senses intentionally mislead us in order to help us survive.
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Do you think it’s true that science is a “worldview”? Why or why not?
  3. What are some things science can know or demonstrate? What are some things science cannot know or demonstrate?
  4. Why do you think some people who are practicing scientists or self-described naturalists avoid the idea that they have a worldview or that their perspectives are based on assumptions?
  5. What do you think is the proper role of science in the pursuit of human knowledge?
  6. Why is it important for all of us to recognize our biases and presuppositions? Explain.
  7. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

4 Views on Religion and Science

Talking Points:

  • View #1: If there is conflict, then scientific statements trump religious statements.
  • View #2: If there is conflict, then religious statements trump scientific statements.
  • View #3: Religious and scientific statements cannot conflict as they are entirely separate domains of inquiry.
  • View #4: Religious statements and scientific statements may appear to conflict, but don’t really conflict at the level of the facts when properly understood.
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Why do you think religion and science are often made out to be enemies in our culture?
  3. Of the four views listed in this topic, which appeals most to you? Explain.
  4. Why is it important to determine that there actually is a conflict between a religious statement and a scientific statement?
  5. Do you think it is true that “religion and science are entirely separate domains of inquiry”? Why or why not?
  6. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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