This is the first in a 5 week series exploring the relationship between miracles and science. See this Science Corner post for a prelude. Are miracles intrinsically anti-science? I'm nearly certain someone is making that claim somewhere on the Internet right now. Science is the study of nature. Miracles are supernatural. Thus miracles are either nonexistent, because science defines what is real, or outside the purview of science. If a seemingly miraculous event, such as the parting of the Red Sea, can be explained … [Read more...] about Miracles: Is God to be the King?
Miracles
Science Corner: Theoretical Tinker Toys
This would normally be my longer end-of-month post, but I'm switching things around during this Lent season. For the following 5 weeks, I'll be ruminating on the topic of miracles and how they interact with our understanding of nature and science. This won't be an exhaustive survey, more of a snapshot of my current thoughts. We'll start next week with a look at 1 Samuel 8. Subsequently we'll take up the laws of nature, the mathematics of chaos, the Triumphal Entry, and finally miracles themselves. As a prelude, I'd … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Theoretical Tinker Toys
Science In Review — Christmas Craft
At a neighborhood Christmas party, I had a lively and stimulating conversation about some of the technical elements of filmmaking--editing, cinematography, action choreography, and the like. Neither my neighbor nor I work in the field, and we don't have serious aspirations of movie careers. We just find that our appreciation of the movies we enjoy is enhanced by understanding the processes involved. … [Read more...] about Science In Review — Christmas Craft
Science Corner: At the Turn of the Tide
'Tis the season to throw the word "miracle" around. There are many notions of what constitutes a miracle, and to be honest I'm not entirely certain I have a good working definition. God's power is certainly involved, but if God is the author of the universe, when is his power not on display in the workings of the world? Given that perspective, I am not overly troubled when I read treatments of miraculous events such as this analysis offering a possible mechanistic explanation for the crossing of the Red Sea. Obviously … [Read more...] about Science Corner: At the Turn of the Tide
Book Review: Where the Conflict Really Lies
Most people think there is a basic antagonism between faith and science that has to be overcome if one is to be both a theist and a scientific practitioner. Alvin Plantinga [1] says, au contraire. It is in fact the naturalist who has the real problem. In Where the Conflict Really Lies: Science, Religion, and Naturalism, Plantinga carefully works this out over 352 pages. He begins with the areas often thought to be in contradiction, in particular the questions of evolution and miracles, and demonstrates that in … [Read more...] about Book Review: Where the Conflict Really Lies