ITO
THE K I N G ’ S BUS INES S
More About the Bible and Science
By O . E. SANDEN
S CIENCE has unwittingly con tributed Its sharp toward mak ing the Bible appreciated by tories of life have put the tenets of the Bible to the acid test. It has proved it self able to stand the stress. The post war ideal of the four freedoms finds its source in Isaiah and Micah and Jesus. The Great Awakening that is before us in all realms finds its in spiration in the Bible, as well as in the proper applications of the scien tific principles, which are—the Laws of God. To a considerable extent, the wish, expressed in 1865 by six hundred members of the British Association for the Advancement'of Science, has come true: “We, the undersigned students of the natural sciences, desire to ex press our sincere regret that research into scientific truth is prevented by some in our times into •occasion for casting doubt upon the truth and au thenticity of the Holy Scriptures. We contend that it is impossible for the Word of God as written in the book of nature, and God’s Word Written in the Holy Scriptures to contradict one another, however much they may ap pear to differ, and confidently believe that a time will come when the two records will be seen to agree in every particular.” Young people today are science- minded. The following questions of college-age youth, and the respective replies, may give some insight into the task of evangelism among them: Note: In February o f last year, we published an article by Mr. Sanden, entitled, ‘"The Bi ble and Science.*' This m essay consisted principally of personal experienc e which the author had encountered in the f'nld of pres ent-day student evangelism . He Itsted a number of questions, representative of ue types of queries with which he is often on- fronted on the lecture platform, or in per sonal interviews, or through the mails. This published article resulted in a widespread demand for reprints, in the United States, England, and China. We requested Mr. San- den to furnish another article along similar lines, and it is offered herewith. As Will be recalled, he is a member of the Texas Academy of Science, and the American Asso ciation for the Advancement of Sciehce, and a graduate of the Bible Institute of Los An geles, He has a message for youth .— Editors.
Q. What is meant by the “scientific method” as over against the religious approach? A. The scientific method is fivefold. First of all, there is the proble/n. This calls for the application of mind. Sec ondly, there is the collecting of all available data bearing on the prob lem. Third, there is the classification of the data, or a reconstruction of the original facts as nearly as possible. Fourth, the hypothesis is brought into use—based on what is known, project ing into the unknown. Fifth, there are the repeated tests. If all the tests or experiments produce the same results, the hypothesis is established. The re ligious method is not necessarily based 9 n the mental process. It relies on the revelation of truth granted on condition of a spiritual awareness. Q. Do you regard the scientific method as valid in all things? A. The scientific method is valid as far as it is possible to practice ( 1 ) ac curacy of observation; ( 2 ) thorough ness of investigation: and (3) holdir^ one’s judgment in abeyance until all the factors are accounted for. But there are some realms of life where this does not apply, i. e., poetry. The poet “feels” rather than analyzes. In religion, "spiritual things are spiritu ally discerned.” God is not found by the mental process. There are some things which cannot be known apart from revelation. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit" (1 Cor. 2:9, 10). This' does not discredit the scientific p r o c e s s : Investigations which are truly scientific confirm rev elation. Q. What is the advantage of scien tific studies? A. Much every way. Apart from the exact knowledge gained, there art by products. Science helps to free the
imagination, gives confidence in one’s own judgment, shows the importance of everything. It empowers personal ity, shows endless possibilities, and provokes wonder and admiration for the deep insights of religious men. Q. Is it possible to divorce science from all study of religion? This seems to be the tendency of students of science. A. While the religious element may be minimized, it cannot be success fully ignored. It was his mother’s audible praying that gave young Mar coni the concept of wireless. Fontaine Maury scientifically charted the seas àfter reading in Psalm 8 , “The paths of the seas.” Galileo discovered isochronism during a church service in the cathedral. Copernicus was a priest. Kepler exclaimed, “I think Thy thoughts after Thee, O God!” and de scribed astronomy as “crystallized mathematics” (cf. Isa. 40:26). Sir Isaac Newton was a faithful student of- Daniel. Daniel was a convert of Jeremiah, who gave to the world the concept of the covenant of Day and Night (cf. Jer. 33:20). Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen, was a minister. Dalton, the, atomist, was a Christian. Lord Kelvin was a believer. When the famous physicist Rutherford died not long ago, they sang his favorite song at Jhe funeral service, "The King of love my Shepherd is, His goodness faileth never.” Q. What is the severest test of the accuracy of thè Bible? A. Geographical measurements. Re search work in Illinois has disclosed the skill and accuracy of Lincoln the surveyor. Similar tests have been ap plied to the men of the Bible. No geographical error has yet been found. Some time ago, a short-wave report from Palestine indicated that R. A. F. bomber pilots enjoyed a visibility of 100 miles along the Jordan, and 50 miles from Mount NAu, io me west. [ Continued on Page 177]
men of Intellect. Men in the labora
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