Disappointed, But Not Surprised

Some time ago, I was asked to do a book review of Persuaded By The Evidence (Eds., Doug Sharp and Dr. Jerry Bergman, ISBN 978-0-89051-545-7, copyright 2008).

I am only several chapters into the book, but something disappointing caught my eye as I finished the first paragraph of the Introduction (pg. 15).  Doug Sharp writes, "... yet each one [that is, the personal testimonies of individuals in this book] has had his faith in God strengthened by scientific evidence for creation."

In view of such a statement, a person needs to ask himself or herself, "What is Christian faith?" and "Is this faith something that is strengthened by scientific evidence?"

To answer those questions, we need to look at how the Bible defines Christian faith.  There we find that:

• The Christian faith involves more than mere knowledge that the true God exists (James 2:19)
• Rather, Christian faith is, simply speaking, trust and certainty (Hebrews 11:1)
• Such faith trusts in what Jesus Christ has done for us and certain of what He promises to us (Acts 16:31)
• Through such faith, we are brought into God's family and into a personal relationship with God (Galatians 3:26)
• Through faith in Christ, we are able to approach God without fear and in confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
• Through faith in what Jesus has done for us, we are now free from God's condemnation (Romans 8:1; Romans 4:3; Philippians 3:8-9)
• And this gift of faith is worked in us through the Gospel promises of Christ (Romans 10:17)

Therefore, a Christian's faith in the Triune God is neither created nor "strengthened by scientific evidence for creation" but only by the promises of God's mercy through Christ.  It might be said that faith is the rope through which we are connected to God, and to all the peace, blessings and certain hope that He promises to us in Christ.

Although it disappoints me when I see someone taking the position stated in this book, it does not surprise me.  I have seen many, many Christian articles on creationism which make the assertion (either explicit or unstated) that our Christian faith is strengthened by, for example, scientific evidence in favor of a young earth.  Such a position is not correct since our Christian faith is strengthened only by the promises of God's mercy to us through Christ.  

Since scientific evidence which seems to support creationism does not strengthen a Christian's faith, then does such scientific evidence as offered by creationism serve any beneficial purpose for the Christian?  Or, is it beneficial for the Christian to even read a book like "Persuaded By The Evidence", since one of its primary tenets (to strengthen one's faith by scientific evidence) is not true?

A book like this can certainly be beneficial to the Christian ... if viewed from the proper perspective.    

First, scientific evidence for God's creation allows Christians to all the more be amazed at our God's creation and to be amazed at His power and wisdom evident in that creation (Psalm 19:1).  

Secondly, this book is worthwhile to the Christian because it gives the reader a different perspective from which he or she might find pertinent and worthwhile arguments against evolution.  For example, I found the second chapter by David Bradbury very enlightening when he presents his case about how the criteria for defining what is empirical science has changed over the years, especially as it applies to Darwinian evolution.  This concept is something which I will need to follow up on at a later date.

I should also add that I appreciate reading the autobiographical sketches that are contained in this book.  There are some names that may be quite familiar to readers who have followed the creationism movement for a while.  

Therefore, even though a Christian's faith is not strengthened by the scientific evidence presented in this book, there is certainly something that may be gained by reading it.

Faster Than the Speed of Light?

{revised 10/14/10}
This post has nothing really to do with creationism/evolution but is an interesting scientific tidbit I recently found.  I'm close to finishing a "podclass" (Nuclear Engineering 101, U.C. Berkeley, Fall 2009, Prof. Eric Norman; see iTunes U).   It's been a real interesting class and the professor seems quite good in his teaching abilities.

In one of the latest lectures, the professor notes how it is often heard that nothing can go faster than the speed of light.  To be specific, Einstein said that nothing can move faster than the speed of light in a vacuum (it's always important to be specific about what is said).  The mathematical notation "c" (from the Latin, celeritas, meaning speed or swiftness) is often used to denote the speed of light in a vacuum.  However, when light travels through other media, it often travels at a speeds less than "c". An example of this is when light travels through water, it only travels at approximately 0.75c, that is, 3/4 the speed of light in a vacuum (as a sidelight, you can calculate this speed by using the refractive index of the material).  

What is interesting is that, in the same medium in which light travels less than "c" (in this example of a water medium, the velocity is 0.75c), very small charged particles (e.g. electrons or muons) can travel faster than 0.75c without violating the laws of relativity.  When these particles travel faster than the speed of light, radiation/photons are emitted as something analogous to a sonic boom is produced (sort of like a photonic or electromagnetic shock wave).  This radiation is called "Cherenkov Radiation" and has the characteristic blue glow that one sometimes sees in movies when nuclear reactors are depicted (see picture; obtained from Wikimedia Commons and is in the public domain).