Evolution and God Discussion Questions: Faith and Science Resources

As we move farther into the 21st century, more and more people in the United States are moving away from their faith, especially in the God of the Bible. It is up to the leaders in the church to help stem this tide. Those in youth ministry have the greatest opportunity because younger generations are leaving churches the fastest. But for many church leaders, discussing topics of science can seem overwhelming.

Feeling overwhelmed is understandable. After all, the fields of science are vast, complex (with many large words), and ever changing. But a scientific degree is not necessary to talk about the relationship of God and modern science. In my own experience, it is mostly those trained in science participating in this discussion, which makes it decidedly one-sided. More church leaders need to be engaged in this discussion because scientists often only have a cursory knowledge of the Bible and principles of its interpretation. Youth and young people often hear one side of the debate taught at school. At church they have the opportunity to hear another side, but too often church leaders are silent, choosing to not engage rather than risk appearing foolish.

The discussion between faith in God and science does not have to be limited to debating the latest scientific studies. It should rather begin at a broader level of worldviews, definitions, and philosophy. These are topics many church leaders are trained in. Resources are also key. Good resources will enable all church leaders, including lay leaders, to have a reasoned and thought provoking discussion about the relationship between faith and science.

It is key to remember that you do not have to "prove" the issue in one discussion. To expect that would be overly presumptuous. The topics of evolution vs. creation or faith vs. science are too big and complex to "prove" or "disprove" that quickly. The goal is to have an open discussion that gets people thinking. A discussion can help participants see that science has not, in fact, utterly rendered all faith obsolete.

In a recent Scientific American blog article, Christian mathematician of Oxford University John Lennox wrote, "All scientists presuppose and therefore have faith in the rational intelligibility of the universe. Einstein could not have been a scientist without this faith."1 There are still many superb scientists who take their faith in God seriously. And they frequently point out that some measure of faith is necessary for whatever you believe.

It is important to discuss the topic of faith and science and how they relate in church. Church leaders are in a great position to do so. All they need is a little faith and some quality resources. Here is a great and FREE resource to use in starting a discussion about the relation of faith and science titled, "God and Darwin: Are They Compatible?" which can be found here. It offers several discussion questions and and helps guide the discussion.  Find more resources we recommend at this link!

Sources:
1. John Horgan. "Can Faith and Science Coexist? Mathematician and Christian John Lennox Responds." (March 1, 2015). Scientific American. Retrieved on Feb. 1, 2018 from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/can-faith-and-science-coexist-mathematician-and-christian-john-lennox-responds/#.

Written by David F. Garner

Creation Museums and Exhibits

Looking for a great place to have an interactive educational experience where you or your students can learn about Creation? Here is a great list of museums and exhibits that bring the science behind the Bible alive! See below to find the one closest location to you.


United States

Creation and Earth History Museum Santee, California, USA

Creation Adventures Museum Arcadia, Florida, USA

Creation Discovery Museum Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Northwest Science Museum Nampa, Idaho USA

Heart of America Science Resource Center Haviland, Kansas, USA

Creation Museum and Family Discovery Center Petersburg, Kentucky, USA

The Dinosaur Encounter Brigton, Maine, USA

Boneyard Creation Museum - Broken Bow, Nebraska, USA

Akron Fossils and Science Center Akron, Ohio, USA

Wyatt Museum Cornersville, Tennessee, USA

Discovery Center Abilene, Texas, USA

Creation Evidence Museum - Glen Rose, Texas, USA

Mt Blanco Fossil Museum Lubbock, Texas USA

Museum of Earth History Dallas, Texas USA

Northwest Treasures Mountlake Terrace, WA, USA

7 Wonders Museum Mount St. Helens, Silver Lake WA , USA

Other Countries

Jurassic Ark: Outdoor Creation Museum Australia

Big Valley Creation Science Museum Big Valley, Alberta, Canada

Creation Science Centre Ontario, Canada

Genesis Expo Portsmouth Harbor, United Kingdom

Answers In Genesis Videos: Faith and Science Resource

Where do you go for answers to challenging questions about science and the Bible? The Bible obviously. But sometimes it helps to get answers from people who have made it their career to study these issues. We trust theologians to help us understand spiritual truths, why not Bible-professing scientists on matters of science? While we should never take a person’s word as truth without checking it against the Bible, we can learn a lot from Christian scientists.

Answers In Genesis is an organization that exists to provide Biblical answers to scientific questions. They create fantastic material such as videos and articles as well as more in-depth educational material. You may have heard about this organization in the news because they have been building a life-size Ark encounter. They do much more than that. They actively work to educate Christians on Biblical answers to modern scientific topics. These topics range from evolution, to carbon dating, to biology, archeology, astronomy, the flood, and more.

The articles are a great resource to answer specific questions. They are written by qualified, practicing scientists. The articles can get very technical and way above the average person’s head. But they are usually written so even children can understand the main points. Of all their resources, I like the videos best. They are well made, entertaining, and very educational. The videos are not so technical. They tend to be short and stick to the important points. I like to use them in a group setting to supplement a discussion. I also find them a great resource to share with curious minds. They cover a wide range of topics and most are less than 5 minutes! Check them out here.

Written by David F. Garner

Science Class PowerPoints: Faith and Science Resources

Many students have questions regarding science and faith in the Bible. Can science be consistent with the Bible or are they irreconcilable. Is it possible to fit modern scientific data into a Biblical worldview? Many teachers feel at a loss when it comes to tackling these issues. It is difficult to review all the evidence and to weigh it. There are textbooks out there that do a good job at delving into the science and make great resources for a science class. But changing textbooks can mean a lot of money and new lesson plans. What if there were a free, ready made PowerPoint resource tailored to teachers? Look no farther. At this link you can find nearly 100 free PowerPoint presentations specifically designed for middle and high school science class. They include pictures, charts, bible verses and age appropriate material. The topics covered includes General Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Genetics. Check them out and let us know your opinion in the comments below!




Photo Credit: geralt via www.pixabay.com

The Case For Christ: Faith and Science Resource

One of my all-time favorite books is The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel. I was required to read it for a class in college at a time when I was questioning my own faith and the existence of God. This book was one of the most influential in my decision to accept Christ as my Savior. Strobel is an excellent author and detailed researcher. This book answered so many of my questions, especially those regarding evidence for the historical Jesus.

Strobel did not stop at presenting the evidence. He sought to help the reader understand the various types of evidence and how they supports the case. The brilliance of this book is its ability to keep the reader’s attention. I did not want to put this book down. It was not dry or dull as one might expect a book on evidence or history to be. If you or someone you know is searching for the truth about Jesus or to deepen their understanding of who He was as a person on earth than check this book out. For those like me who prefer to listen rather than read check out the audiobook version here.

The most exciting part is that Strobel did not stop at writing a book! There is a great study guide to go along with the book for group or personal study. Even better is that in less than one week The Case For Christ movie come out! It will be a recreation of Strobel’s own search into Christ. Check out the trailer below and click the link to get tickets! http://thecaseforchristmovie.com/

This is not the first film though. Strobel made a documentary reviewing the evidence for Christ along with interviews from several leading figures. It is just as intriguing as the book and provides footage of many of the historical items discussed in an entertaining and educational manner. You can watch it free here. Finally, Zondervan published The Case For Christ Study Bible which includes articles and facts inserted directly alongside relevant passages. It is laid out much like an archeological study bible. It is perfect for people like me who grow in their faith through intellectual material to supplement their bible reading.

Written by David F. Garner 

Thinking Creation Video Series: Faith and Science Resource

                                                Episode 1 The Great Debate

Do you ever wish for a great, free resource on faith and science to point inquisitive minds to? Look no farther. Here is a great video series from the Geoscience Research Institute located in Loma Linda, CA. It is a 6 part video series dealing with topics like the philosophy of science, the Christian roots of science, evidence for intelligent design and others. This series, titled Thinking Creation, has 6 half hour episodes that are easily understood by science minded and lay persons alike. They are entertaining, thought provoking, educational, and did I mention, free!

Here is a description from their website: "This video series is designed to serve as the beginning of a conversation, not the end; it is about reality in the past, present and future. Embracing a thoughtful understanding of creation frees believers from irrational philosophies built on events that don’t happen, and liberates them to embrace the beauty evident in nature. In other words, Thinking Creation is about a beginning, the beginning of a liberating journey to understand ourselves, our universe and our Creator God."

Click here to view and DOWNDLOAD the series for FREE.


Written by David F. Garner