Four General Patterns of Integrating Natural Science and Christian Faith

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Four General Patterns of Integrating Natural
Science and Christian Faith

• Steve Badger and Mike Tenneson

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In this presentation, science refers to the
natural sciences, and theology refers to
contemporary, conservative, Evangelical,
biblical theology.
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Overview
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There are three kinds of people in the world
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There are three kinds of people in the world
those who can count, and those who cannot.
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COMPARTMENTALISM (1)

• Science and theology tell us different kinds of
  things about different things.

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COMPARTMENTALISM (1)

• Conflict is impossible by definition because
  natural science and biblical theology have no
  common ground.

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COMPARTMENTALISM (1)

• Each discipline should address only those issues
  in its own domain. (3)

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COMPARTMENTALISM (1)

• This pattern is also known as The Two Worlds
  View as NOMA (Non-Overlapping Magisteria).

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COMPLEMENTARISM (2)

• Science and theology tell us different kinds of
  things about the same things.

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COMPLEMENTARISM (2)

• When true to its capabilities and limitations,
  each discipline provides valid insights into the
  nature of reality, but from different
  perspectives.

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COMPLEMENTARISM (2)

• An adequate and coherent view of reality can be
  obtained only if people (and professional
  communities) integrate these two disciplines. (7)
  

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CONCORDISM (3)

• Science and theology should tell us the same
  kinds of things about the same things

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CONCORDISM (3)

• The inability of natural science and contemporary
  biblical theology to agree is due to human
  imperfection in both disciplines.

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CONCORDISM (3)

• Both science and theology need to find new
  approaches to achieve an integrated understanding
  of reality. (6)

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CONFLICTISM (4)

• Science and theology tell us the same kinds of
  things about the same things. When they conflict,
  both cannot be right.

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CONFLICTISM (4A)

• In any conflict, science is always right. (1)

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CONFLICTISM (4A)

• Contemporary biblical theology must be redefined
  and rewritten in order to be consistent with the
  developments and discoveries of modern science.
  (5)

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CONFLICTISM (4B)

• Science and theology tell us the same kinds of
  things about the same things. When they conflict,
  both cannot be right.

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CONFLICTISM (4B)

• In any conflict, theology is always right. (2)

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CONFLICTISM (4B)

• An understanding of the scientific description of
  the world provides us with such overwhelming
  evidence of the truth of the Bible and biblical
  theology, that we have no logically defensible
  choice but to believe them. (4)

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Summary
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Acknowledgement

• Some of the material in this presentation was
  adapted from Richard Bubes Putting It All
  Together Seven Patterns for Relating Science and
  the Christian Faith.University Press of America,
  1995.

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The End

• The end