Science & Philosophy (Jul 2021)

The Bible and science: the relationship between science and the Christian religion

  • Sangwa Sixbert,
  • Placide Mutabazi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.23756/sp.v9i1.596
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
pp. 7 – 29

Abstract

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The relationship between the Bible and science has been debated for decades. While science has emerged as a multifaceted discipline focused on the natural world, it has been viewed as a growing body of facts or knowledge (Philip & Cherian, 2017); and a path to understanding (Yates, et al., 2015). As scientists test ideas, emerging disciplines such as palaeoanthropology, geology, archaeology, and evolutionary biology have attempted to prove Christian beliefs based on the Biblical account. Although the Bible was considered authoritative, the knowledge generated by science has been so powerful and reliable in different things. While some people might use science to prove their own opinions, bringing an encroachment on the territory of religion, which theologians do not qualify as a scientific field. This paper has collected and analysed ideas from different scientists, philosophers, historians and theologians to examine the relationship between the Bible and Science, and the extent to which one is inductive to another. While an existence of a super intelligent designer was a common idea, confrontation focused on timeliness, creation story, divine action and miracles. Since religious people appeal to factual statements, while science is still developing and cannot prove the Bible or the existence of God with its lack of moral judgment, the Bible was qualified authoritative for faith and life.

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