Why science won’t prove God

A sharp clipper named Lexica left this beautiful graphic at Clipmarks:

clipped from www.sciencebuddies.org Overview of the Scientific Method The scientific method is a process for experimentation that is used to explore observations and answer questions. Scientists use the scientific method to search for cause and effect relationships in nature. In other words, they design an experiment so that changes to one item cause something else to vary in a predictable way. in order for the scientific method to answer the question it must be about something that you can measure, preferably with a number. [...]

Sometimes, people ask me, “Can you scientifically prove the existence of God?” The answer, of course, is “No.” And if we understood the question, we might say, “Why would you want to?” Because as the clip suggests, the “no” isn’t that the existence of God is unconvincing - it’s that the scientific method is an inappropriate test. And the clip shows why:

for the scientific method to answer the question it must be about something that you can measure, preferably with a number.

I can’t use the scientific method to prove most things—my birth date, or that I took a vacation last summer, or that I that I have some really good friends—for none of these are quantifiable, controllable, or repeatable. Yet I gladly and confidently enjoy those realities.  Not a doubt darkens those facts.

And with with similar gladness and some confidence, I have found myself in places where it was more reasonable to conclude God was near than that he was not.

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Tags: science, theology, apologetics, God, scientific+method, proof+of+God, existence+of+God, atheism, theism, deism, Christianity, faith, belief, Monte Asbury

What if we already have what we need?

Sermon of June 12, 2005 - Proper 6A

Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7); Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

Worship order summary:

Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7);
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19;
Come, Now is the Time to Worship
I Waited
Healing Grace
Prayer
Welcome
Ben and Monte: Romans 5:1-8
Sharon: Sharing
Give Thanks
Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)
Prayer
Giving
I Want to Know You

Worship order working copy:

10:42 flash lights
10:45 cue worship opener
when it’s done, lights 100% except spots off

Monte intro
Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)

[Remember the promise from last week's Genesis reading first, and mention the times they gave up on it]

[cue Sarah laughs]

GOD appeared to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. It was the hottest part of the day. ²He looked up and saw three men standing. He ran from his tent to greet them and bowed before them.

Compassion for “confused and aimless” [readings for Sunday, June 15, 05]

“Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.”

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Proper 6 (11) June 15, 2008

Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7); Psalm 116:1-2,12-19; Romans 5:1-8 Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

Matthew 9:35-10:8

35-38Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.

McCain supports Obama on Wright [37 sec]

Those who visit here frequently (may all good things be yours forever) know I am not commonly on the McCain side of things. But I came across this short video of him using some gracious and unselfish words, and it deserves attention.

This is how politicians ought to talk when distortions are on the table, for everyone benefits from truth. And whenever a candidate—of any party—puts truth above self-interest, I want to say, “Yes! That’s the kind of political discourse that makes America better.”

clipped from www.youtube.com John McCain Supports Barack Obama on Reverend Wright Issue

Bravo, Senator McCain!

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Tags: ethics, McCain, Obama, Wright, Jeremiah+Wright, Rev+Wright, Monte Asbury

On freedom roads

“On What Freedom Roads Do You Walk?”

Proper 5 A: Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
June 6, 2005, at New Oaks Church of the Nazarene, Washington, IA

Monte: In Genesis: Last week Noah, today, Abraham. Father of three great religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Read you a bit, then we’ll sing.

Abraham - or Abram, was born, we think, in 2166 B.C. Farther before the birth of Jesus than we are after the birth of Jesus. He lives in Haran - not too far from the city in modern N. Iraq called Mosul. It’ll help you to know a couple things about life there.

1. Abram knows, as far as we know, nothing about God as we know him at the beginning of his story. He’s never heard of Jahweh. He’s never been to a synagogue or church - none exist.

2. Abram is a pagan man in a pagan culture. As much as any headhunter in Borneo ever was. As much as any ancient European ancestor of yours or mine ever was. He’d have household gods set up. The worship he’d participated in might have involved child sacrifice. It probably involved temple prostitutes. Your ancestors’ worship may have, too.

3. Abram’s home culture is sophisticated. It values stability and wealth and probably business over agriculture. It values staying put and getting rich.

And then God starts talking to him.