Transcending the Limits of Science:
Evidence for the Existence of God
By Dr. Tom Synder, Editor
J.P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy, thoroughly debunks the idea that science is the best or only way to discover knowledge or truth in his brilliant new book SCIENTISM AND SECULARISM: LEARNING TO RESPOND TO A DANGEROUS IDEOLOGY. Moreland rightly notes that such an idea is itself not an act of science, but an act of philosophy. Therefore, it’s actually self-contradictory and, therefore, false. Sadly, though, this idea has gained widespread acceptance in society, even though it’s irrational and factually false.
One of the most important parts of Dr. Moreland’s book is Chapter 12, where he lists five things science can’t explain but Christianity can:
- Science cannot explain the origin of the universe.
- Science cannot explain the origin of the fundamental laws of nature.
- Science cannot explain the fine-tuning of the universe.
- Science cannot explain the origin of consciousness.
- Science cannot explain the existence of moral, rational and aesthetic objective laws and intrinsically valuable properties.
In his discussion of these five things, Dr. Moreland notes that we know the universe had a beginning, that the beginning was caused, that the cause was personal because it must be timeless as well as immaterial (or non-physical) and have genuine free will. He adds that science presupposes the fundamental laws of nature, but that these laws are best explained by the existence of a necessary personal being with genuine free will who decides what those laws will be. This personal being has so fine-tuned the physical traits of the universe and the fundamental laws of nature that they are actually and precisely designed to create life, including living human beings capable of doing scientific experiments and other activities to discover knowledge and truth.
Regarding the origin of consciousness, Moreland notes that our mental states do indeed exist, and that they can’t be reduced to mere physical things. In fact, our mental states display characteristics that are not merely physical but transcend the physical world. For example, they have no spatial features and seem to be immaterial. Thus, our mental states can’t arise from our physical conditions because, if they did, it wouldn’t make any rational sense. Nor can our mental states arise from some sort of purely physical, or naturalistic, process such as evolution because, at what point would science be able to say where such a major thing like consciousness with such a “huge metaphysical effect” begin?
Finally, science can’t explain the existence of objective rational or moral laws such as the law of non-contradiction or laws against the murder and torture of babies because science can only describe physical things and physical laws of nature. Science can’t tell us by itself how to think or how to behave. Nor can it tell us how rational or moral values came to be, and how to judge them.
In contrast to science, the Christian, biblical concept of God explains the origin of the universe, the origin of the fundamental laws of nature, and the fine-tuning of the universe. It also explains the origin of consciousness as well as the existence of objective rational, moral, and aesthetic laws and “intrinsically valuable properties” such as the intrinsic dignity of each human being.
Science is not an airtight compartment isolated from other fields like philosophy, theology, history, law, ethics, etc. It exists in a continuity that overlaps. Furthermore, science can’t use the scientific method, which is primarily empirical, to test the rational truth of the scientific method. No, the scientific method must be rationally justified and confirmed by philosophy and even by theology, by the systematic study of the intellectual and supernatural (or metaphysical) foundations of all knowledge.
SCIENTISM AND SECULARISM by J.P. Moreland is a great place to start that systematic study.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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