Introduction

This is a talk arguing for the very simple thesis that science is not a source of knowledge, unlike revelation. It is the antidote to ubiquitous pop-apologetics thesis that “faith and science can work together”. I have presented it many times, as a guest speaker, in the philosophy of science class taught at Cedarville University and also as a three-part lecture series at Grace Covenant Church in North Olmsted, Ohio. The latter location was the source of the media below.

Backstory

The backstory of this presentation is somewhat interesting. In August, 2009 I was living in Cincinnati, having moved there earlier that year to begin my career as an engineer. I learned that the Secular Student Alliance was having a national meeting at Ohio State University and the “special event” for that year was to visit the Creation Museum and, naturally, mock it. I decided that would be an interesting day to take off work and visit myself. In order to prepare myself I began writing my own articulation of the anti-naturalism arguments promoted by Dr. Gordon Clark. By the time I had stopped writing I had a full-blown paper titled “Naturalism and Science: Nothing In Common”, which you can download below in its current revision. I did have a few interesting conversation with secularists on that day, in which I got to share some of the arguments of the paper. Unfortunately, no one I exchanged contact information with wanted to stay in touch.

Downloads

Naturalism and Science: Nothing In Common – (pdf) – The paper that this lecture series is based on. Written as a polemic against naturalism. Intended for a Christian or non-Christian audience.

Science and Christianity, Part 1: Rethinking Science – (video) (audio) (ppt) – Refutation of scientific realism and discussion of its influence in modern culture.

Science and Christianity, Part 2: Reclaiming Science – (audio) (ppt) – Discussion of whether science has its epistemological basis in Christianity or naturalism.

Science and Christianity, Part 3: Q&A – (audio) – Questions from the audience, some of whom were opposed to my thesis.