“Remember, too, that ‘science’ once insisted that the earth was the center of the solar system and that ‘bleeding’ patients made them healthier. Most of the people reading this are old enough to remember ‘science’ reversing itself on several issues in the past few decades. Let’s face it; science is nothing more than a system of educated guesses.”Saying science is “nothing more than a system of educated guesses” is not an insult. It is a statement of fact. It is called the scientific method, based on stating an hypothesis, doing research, coming to a conclusion and stating anther hypothesis. In case you don’t know, “hypothesis” is a big word meaning “educated guess.”
Real science is always in transition. Georges mentioned a few areas of constant change. All science is constant change. Compare almost any field of science to where it was one hundred years ago and you will see one of two things: It is totally changed or it did not exist.
Now compare that to the Christian faith. How many total reversals have we had in the faith in the past 2000 years? Not many if you rule out the people whose whole purpose is to sow dissension and confusion. This past year I read Pilgrims Progress for the first time. I had some trouble with the archaic English but none with the thoughts expressed. I have read a book written by William Wilberforce, the short title is A Practical View of Christianity. It reads like something written by a modern believer. I am reading the Works of John Wesley. It is fresh and alive. I am currently working through Augustine’s Confessions. It is an old translation and that gives me trouble, but I find what he has to say about his spiritual journey to be the same path I follow.
So which do you think is more reliable for a life foundation, every changing science or the eternal truth of the Bible?
I made my decision and I am sticking with it.
Thanks Georges for the seed but I won’t blame you for the plant that grew out of it.
homo unius libri
Looks like a good plant to me, Pumice! As for "Pilgrim's Progress," I used to hear Jerry Faldwell say that he could only have two books, they would be the Bible and Pilgrim's Progress. Finding an antique copy in a bookstore, I bought and read it. I somewhat enjoyed the archaic language, yet the book was tedious and seemed at times to cross the line from righteous to self-righteous. I remember few books that I was so glad to finish and be done with. Still, I'm glad I read it, but my second book would probably be my big Bible dictionary. (After that, I might go secular and opt for "A Sand County Almanac.")
ReplyDeleteI can see what you say about Pilgrim's Progress. It would never be my second book. I don't know what would but I might want a good concordance. I don't know if you have read The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. I think it does for modern readers what Pilgrim's Progress did for previous generations.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace.