Science Has Never Spoken One Single Word

In our day and age, it seems that science alone carries the authoritative gavel for making judgments about knowledge, reality and ethics.  When worldviews collide - especially theistic and atheistic ones - all eyes look to this judicial chair to decide the matter.  Both parties wait for the verdict.  What is Science going to say?

And why wouldn't we want to know what it has to say?  Science is speaking so clearly today that atheist authors are not at all reluctant to quote its heralding voice: "Science says," "According to science," "Science provides," "Thanks to science," "Science has discovered," and "Science has proved to us..." With every citation it seems that the Christian's creed, "God has said..." takes more of a back seat in our world.  After all, we have heard science say there is no proof for the existence of God.

What is the Christian response to this?  What do we say when confronted with what science says?  The answer is simple.  Science has never spoken one single word.  When we hear something like, "Science tells us so and so..." We say, "No it doesn't.  Science can't talk."  When people use the word science this way, either in discourse or in writing, they commit at least two logical fallacies.  In order for honest communication to take place, these must be pointed out.

First, the fallacy of ambiguity.  Attributing all kinds of powers to the abstract idea "science" (which, in reality has no causal powers to make, speak, or give us anything), misrepresents the truth by obscuring it or clouding it.  It keeps the hearer in a position of unclarity, thus stunting his/her ability to respond promptly, clearly, and effectively.  This cloud is quickly removed by pressing the issue - "Did science tell you that?  Or, did a scientist tell you that?"  While it is quite difficult to test the faithfulness, credibility and accuracy of science, it is an easier and clearer task to test a particular scientist of the same.  This leads us to our next fallacy.

Second, the fallacy of dogmatism by appealing to the illegitimate and incorrigible "authority" of science.  By appealing to "science" the hearer is supposed to accept the predication based on the ambiguous authority of science.  Now, many will say that we are to accept the predication based on the evidence; but this is hardly ever communicated.  Rather, I find that many who appeal to science have never really conducted the method themselves, but are simply trusting in what someone else (science, philosopher, or friend) has written or said.

The simple fact is, this fallacy assumes a link between authority and truth that does not exist.

We must also understand that the abuse of this fallacy does not mean that the argument in question is necessarily wrong.  The argument simply remains unproven; but not disproven.

For a better understanding of the different types of fallacies that are commonly employed, I highly recommend McDurmon's book called Biblical Logic: In Theory and Practice.

Free Kindle Book - What the Bible Says About the Doctrines of Grace

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About This Blog

After blogging for a little over a year now, I have concluded that it is something that I would like to do for as long as I am able.  I have noticed that the site has adopted a certain nature.  I am overall pleased with this and have decided to communicate the "core values" of  TheRestofSunday.com.

1.  Gospel-Centered.  This year has been a life-changing one to say the least.  I have learned more about the gospel this year than any in my Christian life.  More than this, I have seen the Good News embodied among my family and friends.  As a result, the communication of such experiences and truths is something that is, and has been, very important to me.  Therefore, I am committed to making TheRestofSunday.com a place where the gospel of Christ is communicated regularly, clearly and faithfully.

2.  Honest.  I am a Christian living in a fallen world.  There are times, even as a pastor, when I struggle; when relationships get flat out messy - even ugly.  There are times when I fail - as a minister, as a parent, as a husband and as a friend. And there are times that I feel as if heaven itself has come down.  I think it is important to communicate what I am going through.  My goal is to be as transparent and honest as I possibly can.  The only ground for this is Christ who bought me and who has promised to finish what He started in me.  Walking in light is the liberating way.

3.  Pro-Active.  I'm not sure if I was supposed to hyphenate that word or not :).  Anyway, I do feel strongly about a few social issues.  If you have read for any length of time, you probably have a good idea of what these issues are.  I am dedicated to doing whatever I can to have pornography and abortion done away with.  The process, however, is gospel-centered - that is, from the inside out.  These practices exist because there is a demand for them.  As the gospel changes hearts - hearts will demand them less.  Consequently, they will be redeemed.  I am dedicated to fighting for justice in these matters as well.

4.  Concise.  I have come to realize that long posts are a bit intimidating.  I have therefore resolved to condensing each post to under 500 words.  There are a few types of posts that simply do not allow the brevity - but, most will be manageable and respectful of people's time and energy.

5.  Giving.  I try to make everything posted something that the reader can learn/benefit from.   My tendency for a weekly routine has been to give a summarized study from a book (like Plummer's book on interpretation), a post on apologetics, some theological/biblical insight that is relevant to everyday life, and one or two posts that share what I find interesting.  It has been my goal from the beginning to provide a place where one is never the same after leaving the site.  After all, the gospel never leaves a person the same way it found them (not my quote).

At the end of the day, TheRestofSunday exists to give "biblical rest to the continually reforming."  May it be a means, in the hands of our Maker, of conforming us into the image of His Son.  Grace and peace to all who read this blog.

Absolutely Certain Proof For The Existence of God

Many Christians struggle with trying to give "proof" for God's existence.  When they have doubts themselves, or are engaged in conversation with those who do not believe, they quickly look to certain evidences for the existence of God.  The fact is, this can be quite frustrating as it can only reach as far as some level of probability - or, "This is why God probably exists."

As a Christian probability is simply not good enough.  We are called to lose our life for the sake of Christ. And I am just not built to rest in the possibility of losing my life for a Christ that probably lived, died, and was resurrected on my behalf.  I need absolutely certain proof.  And that is why I love Van Til and the presuppositional apologetic.  Van Til writes:

[T]hat the existence of the God of Christian theism and the conception of his counsel as controlling all things in the universe is the only presupposition which can account for the uniformity of nature which the scientist needs.  But the best and only possible proof for the existence of such a God is that his existence is required for the uniformity of nature and for the coherence of all things in the world...Thus there is absolutely certain proof for the existence of God and the truth of Christian theism.  Even non-Christians presuppose its truth while they verbally reject it...

Many unbelievers that I converse with say things like, "I don't believe in God because science has not given any proof for his existence."  At this point the presuppositional response is, "The fact that you are doing science is proof that you believe he exists."  That's what Van Til means when he says, "Even non-Christians presuppose its truth while they verbally reject it."  His analogy is that of a child climbing on his father's lap with the intent to slap him.

But the Christian should not be surprised by the unbeliever's attempt to disprove God by the very method faith in God provides.  Van Til notes, "It is the effort of every man to put the blame for his failure to serve God upon the elusive character of the evidence for God's existence."  In other words, man in his sinful state will always blame God for being unclear, rather than repent of his own skewed and rebellious understanding.  Simply put, unbelief is God's fault, not man's.

It is our goal and mission to bring the glorious gospel to a world that so desperately needs it.  A gospel that proclaims that God, in Christ, became man, to die for sinners like you and me.  This is a truth that is far more certain than mere probability.  Lord forbid we should boast of a gospel that says, Christ probably died and rose again.

For a thorough and clear presentation of Van Til's apologetic I HIGHLY recommend Greg Bahnsen's book Van Til's Apologetic.  This work is priceless and is one of my top three favorites.

Thoughts on the Flu

I just had to give myself a pep-talk to get from the shower to the bed.  When I bent over to dry off my toes, my eyeballs felt as if they were going to fall out of my head.  And when I came up from drying my big feet, I almost took a not-so-graceful fall.

Simply put, I think I have the flu.  I have been this way since early Thursday morning.

Needless to say, I haven't felt much like writing anything.  I read a bit today (Oliphint's Reasons for Faith).    I am a bit nervous for the wife and I are scheduled to go to a church-planter's assessment most of next week.  Please pray that I will get better.  While you're praying ;) I'd like to share some thoughts on the flu - or, thoughts that I've never had because I didn't have the flu.

1.  My wife makes the best chicken-noodle soup.  And she did it from scratch!  I must admit when she said she was making me some CNS that I was a bit disappointed - I really like Campbell's.  But my girl blew them folks out-tha-park!  As my buddy Trelle always says, "Katie put her foot in dat!"

2.  I miss my family and friends.  I used to long for time alone (and still do b/c I am technically an introvert); but I tell ya, sitting in bed all day is about as boring as hunting for any four-legged animal.  I want to hug on my wife and kids.  And ohhhhh how I miss my friends at Starbucks...and the beverage they serve me day in and day out!

3.  I did, for a short time, reflect on how wonderful medicine is.  That there are probably billions of people who do not have the ability to make a headache go away within a 45-minute period.  I prayed that I would live more gratefully and with a greater heart for those who live in poverty.

4.  I thought about how much I hate sin and death.  Flu only exists in a fallen world.  Come Lord Jesus!

5.  Finally, to those who call and text me during this time.  I love you...but don't be calling me or texting me with jokes that make me laugh - it makes my eyeballs hurt like crazy!" and if I don't call or text back, its because I am simply out of order.

I guess that's about it.  I am hoping to be up and about by Sunday.  I am so grateful for my wife, who has been slaving to keep the house and kids in order.  She did get a bit pissed when Jude kicked her today.  I haven't told him yet, "Now son, your mamma will whoop your you-know-what if you ever kick her..."  He learned the hard way.  Over all, all is well.  I am alive, and I have a great family and lots of great friends.

Depravity, Sex-Trafficking, Planned Parenthood and the Gospel

While the video below is enough to turn one's stomach, it should not be an occasion for surprise.  What you will see in this video depicts the irrationality of depravity.  This is a woman, who represents a government-funded organization, locking arms with a pimp and a prostitute to further the sex-trafficking of minors, as well as the murdering of the "industry-hindering" unborn.

The ease with which this woman accepts (and even aids) abortion, underage sex-trafficking, and prostitution must remind and awaken us to the intrinsic "oh crap!" that should follow our reading of passages like: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Rom 1:21).

Sure, we can read these passages, hear them preached, and even argue for the validity of the truth they represent concerning God and mankind; but until we understand the real-life moral implications, until we bring our heads out of the theological clouds where we say things like, "Life is great because I know the doctrine of depravity!" - then we are doomed for immobility after being surprised into evangelical paralyzation (the adj evangelical here used to reference the sharing of the gospel, not to describe a particular Christian [Protestant] culture).

We who fail to see this sort of depravity in our own lives, tend to look down our theological noses at such scenes; but those who look down their noses rarely find themselves looking up to heaven for the sake of the depraved.  It is right to pray for justice and that God would bring His judgment upon these acts.  It is not right, however, to fail to see the redemptive purposes, plainly recorded in our Scriptures, of the Biblical episodes of judgment.  Simply put, in judgment God always brings forth a remnant - and this remnant must come through the glorious gospel.

I wonder if there is a remnant in cultures of depravity, sex-trafficking and abortion.  Upon further thought, I must conclude that there is.  After all, he saved me.  Watch the video.  Share your faith.



You can also see a great article on this here.

Almost - P4CM Poet - Amazing.

No comment needed.  Just watch.



Thanks P. Holmes for the feed.