Topical Bible: Science: Observations of, and Deductions From, Facts

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Science, in its essence, is the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation, leading to the formulation of laws and theories. From a biblical perspective, science is seen as a tool to understand God's creation, revealing the order and complexity that He has instilled in the universe. The Bible, while not a scientific textbook, provides insights into the natural world and encourages the pursuit of knowledge.

Biblical Foundation for Scientific Inquiry

The Bible begins with the assertion that God is the Creator of all things: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). This foundational truth establishes that the universe is not a product of random chance but of divine design. The order and regularity observed in nature reflect the character of God, who is a God of order and not chaos (1 Corinthians 14:33).

The mandate given to humanity in Genesis 1:28 to "fill the earth and subdue it" implies a responsibility to study and understand the world. This dominion mandate encourages the exploration of creation, leading to advancements in agriculture, medicine, and technology, all of which are rooted in scientific inquiry.

Observations in Scripture

The Bible contains numerous observations of the natural world that align with scientific principles. For instance, the hydrological cycle is described in Ecclesiastes 1:7: "All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place from which the rivers come, there they return again" . This reflects an understanding of the water cycle long before it was scientifically documented.

Job 26:7 states, "He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing" , which aligns with the understanding of the earth suspended in space. Similarly, Isaiah 40:22 describes the earth as a circle, indicating an awareness of its roundness: "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth" .

Deductions and Theories

While the Bible does not provide detailed scientific theories, it encourages the pursuit of wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 25:2 states, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out" . This suggests that God has hidden mysteries within creation for humanity to discover, promoting the idea that scientific exploration is a noble pursuit.

The scientific method, which involves forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions, can be seen as a reflection of the biblical call to seek knowledge and understanding. The pursuit of science, when aligned with a biblical worldview, acknowledges God as the ultimate source of all truth.

Science and Faith

The relationship between science and faith is often seen as complementary rather than contradictory. Romans 1:20 declares, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse" . This verse suggests that the study of the natural world can lead to a greater understanding of God's attributes.

Throughout history, many scientists have been motivated by their faith to explore the natural world, seeing their work as a means to glorify God. Figures such as Isaac Newton and Johannes Kepler viewed their scientific endeavors as uncovering the laws established by the Creator.

Conclusion

In summary, science, from a biblical perspective, is a means to explore and understand the intricacies of God's creation. The Bible provides a framework for scientific inquiry, encouraging the pursuit of knowledge while recognizing God as the ultimate source of wisdom. Through the study of the natural world, believers can gain a deeper appreciation for the Creator and His handiwork.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 26:7-14
He stretches out the north over the empty place, and hangs the earth on nothing.
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Job 28:1
Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.
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Ecclesiastes 1:13-17
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail has God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

On the Educational Value of the Natural History Sciences.
... illustration of their employment in the science of Life ... Suppose our experiments and
observations have been made on ... we rest, the moment our deductions carry us ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/v on the educational value.htm

Geological Reform.
... set up; and, by strict deductions from admitted ... and well versed in the physical science
of his ... detected without far more accurate observations and calculations ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xi geological reform.htm

Geological Contemporaneity and Persistent Types of Life.
... from a vast number of observations, though it ... last twenty years, doubts that science
will sooner ... contemporaneity, to consider whether the deductions which are ...
/.../x geological contemporaneity and persistent.htm

The Scientific Aspects of Positivism.
... cette situation primitive, a mesure que nos observations se sont ... de ce que c'est
qu'une science. ... une maniere aussi complete et les deductions prolongees aussi ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/viii the scientific aspects of.htm

Philosophy Vs. Christianity
... rest from which to extend our observations further into ... in the books on natural science;
such are ... In accordance with these legitimate deductions, God gave the ...
/.../chapter v philosophy vs christianity.htm

On the Study of the Evidences of Christianity.
... and reason, and there are other deductions of science ... subject to the conclusions
of positive science, and require ... Thus far our observations are general: but at ...
/.../temple/essays and reviews the education of the world/on the study of the.htm

Extracts No. vi.
... sentiment of mine, in your observations on St ... not burden you with further deductions,
so repugnant ... knowledge, which renders acquirements in science and divinity ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vi.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... Day." Now he goes on to group a few observations on some ... pass upon it as we pass
upon the facts of life. ... achieved goodness, and tries to make a science and art ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... sense of the history, without losing sight of the truth of its facts"he, I say ... What,
again, of ontology, of the science of ideas, in short of all intellectual ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm