We interrupt our series on science and faith to discuss something many Americans are thinking about as they enter the holiday season…how to interact with those family members and friends who hold vastly different opinions. While some advise avoiding family who hold different political opinions, communications expert Peyton Luke encourages listeners to have fruitful conversations, following a few specific tips. Listen to this episode in preparation for your Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering, and take notes on keeping your interactions civil, calm, and productive.
In Part 2 of his latest conversation with Know Why, apologist Jon Noyes, a former atheist, encourages listeners to follow scientific evidence to its conclusion. For Christians, Jon believes following the evidence will lead to a more robust faith in God—not the opposite, which many people fear. For non-Christians, Jon shares his own testimony of how scientific evidence and logic led him to reject naturalism in favor of the Christian worldview.
Returning guest Jon Noyes from Stand to Reason joins our Know About Science and Faith series. In Part 1 of his conversation with Liberty, Jon explains how Darwinism entered the stage as a scientific theory and then took over as a worldview that permeated not only science, but every area of life. But is a theistic approach to science is experiencing a renaissance? Jon says yes. Know why by listening to this episode, and tuning back in for Part 2 next week!
What caused the Ice Age? Returning for Part 2 of his conversation with the Know Why Podcast, Dr. Jake Hebert, a research scientist with the Institute for Creation Research, explains why the global flood described in the Bible would have created the perfect environment for an Ice Age. In fact, he argues the evidence for a flood-induced Ice Age is more compelling than the reigning theory, which depends on manipulated calculations and questionable science.
Skeptical? Listen and let us know what you think—and don’t forget to read more at the resources below.
In the next installment of our “Know About Science and Faith” series, Dr. Jake Hebert, research scientist at the Institute for Creation Research, joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss evidence for extreme longevity of ancient humans and other species. He also talks about problems with the theory of natural selection. Listen to hear about fascinating discoveries that are puzzling evolutionists and contributing to the theory of Intelligent Design. Be sure to check back next week for Part 2 of this conversation, where Dr. Hebert shares his research on causes of the Ice Age.
If you’ve ever felt that belief in science and belief in God are incompatible, you’ll want to hear this interview, republished in honor of Know Why’s current series, “Know About Science and Faith.” In this interview (originally posted in July of 2023) Jonathan, Executive Editor of Discovery Institute Press, explains how the scientific method was born out of a biblical worldview, provides examples of modern scientists who profess faith in God, and points to major scientific discoveries that point to God’s existence.
Famous Scientists Who Were Also Religious
“The Christian worldview actually gave birth to science,” Jonathan told Know Why Podcast. The Judeo-Christian worldview prevalent in renaissance Europe “fired the imaginations and it ordered the reasoning of those that gave birth to the scientific revolution.”
In the 16th Century, Anglican thinker Sir Francis Bacon developed the scientific method, which uses experimentation and inductive reasoning to learn more about the natural world.
In the 17th Century, Galileo, a Christian, advanced groundbreaking discoveries, including that the earth revolved around the sun, and argued that science does not contradict the Bible.
“There are scientists in our age who see nature, see even recent discoveries pointing to God intelligent design, pointing to evidence of a God,” Jonathan said, mentioning Nobel Prize winning physicists Arno Penzias, 90, and Charles Townes (1915-2015) as examples.
Francis Collins, former director of the National Institutes of Health and a leading scientist in DNA research, is a current example of a prominent scientist vocal about his Christian faith.
There are plenty more examples of men and women combining faith and science throughout history and today. Modern scientists aren’t as hostile to religion as people may think. Many scientists around the world acknowledge the possibility of a spiritual realm. And the majority of people working in science-related fields are religious.
Understanding the Bible
Still, sometimes scientific discoveries seem to go against something the Bible says. That’s why it’s important to understand what the Bible is.
The Bible claims to be the true, authoritative word of God, given to human authors to write down throughout multiple centuries and locations. It contains poetry, prophecies, parables, genealogical records and historical accounts. Combined, these writings tell the story of God and his love for humanity.
The Bible never claims to be a comprehensive textbook of science or history. So when reading books within the Bible, it’s important to consider their historical, literary, and cultural context in order to interpret them correctly — something theologians have been doing (and sometimes disagreeing about) for centuries. For instance, the Bible claims that God created the universe, but even Christians often disagree about how he created it.
Where Christians will land in this debate depends on their interpretation of Genesis. Genesis is the first book in the Bible, and its first two chapters focus on creation. According to the biblical creation account, God created the universe in six days, with man being his final creation.
Theistic evolutionists argue the story of creation is meant to be symbolic or allegorical — that the six days of creation actually represent ages of time during which evolution took place under God’s guidance. Others, called creationists, hold that the story of creation is literal. They believe the six days of creation were actually six 24-hour days, and that God created all living things by speaking them into existence.
As Jonathan acknowledged on Know Why, “Whereas God is infallible and his Word is infallible, our understanding of Scripture is not necessarily infallible.”
Listen as we jump into our new series, “Know About Science and Faith!” Parker Eng, President and Founder of the organization Day 4 Astronomy, joins Know Why to discuss some fascinating ways the heavens demonstrate the uniqueness of Planet Earth—and what implications that has for humanity. If you enjoyed viewing the solar eclipse back in April, you’ll want to hear Parker share what two astronauts told him during an eclipse watch party and exactly why the 2024 eclipse was so special. Do you have a science-related question you’d like us to address in this series? Reach out at KnowWhyPodcast.com.
Impossible Odds
Many people take life for granted—specifically, the fact that life can exist on Earth. But according to science, the fact that we exist in space is special.
The odds of the conditions which make life possible on Earth appearing by chance are 1 in 10 to the 40,000th power, Parker explained. Details like the precise size and distance of our moon and the kind of light emitted by our sun provide perfect conditions for life. Those conditions would be destroyed if there was even slight variation in many of these details.
Another unlikelihood—the fact that the sun is 400 times larger than the moon, and also 400 times further away from earth than the moon. This is what makes a total solar eclipse possible on planet earth.
“What are the chances of that happening for the planet that has life?” Parker asked. “I think it points to a Creator. I think it points to God giving us something very unique to show his might and his power.”
It’s the “age of the unprecedented!” That’s historian Richard Lim’s take. Back for Part 2, the host of “This American President” explains what factors truly make this presidential election so unique. He also offers insight on the importance of knowing our nation’s history, and why it’s so rare to find political leaders who are willing to do the right thing anymore. But Richard still has hope that America can produce leaders of integrity—if some things change. Find out what those things are in this quick, topical episode.
Tired of ‘Unprecedented?’
“We truly live in the age of the unprecedented,” Richard told Know Why, adding that there is so much unprecedented about our current politics that it’s “absurd.” However, we can still glean insight from looking at our nation’s history. Unfortunately, few Americans are well-versed in American history.
“History is to a country the way memory is to an individual,” Richard said. “Why would you experience things and learn lessons but then forget them? What’s the point of that?”
Hope
Richard believes studying the past can also give us hope for the future, because even though events and circumstances change, human nature stays the same across time. And in the past, there are examples of leaders emerging to do the right thing, even when it wasn’t popular—and sometimes even when it was costly. He gives examples of past presidents who made the right decision when it was tough.
He acknowledges that many Americans may feel frustration at our political leaders today, whom many deem corrupt. “Why did we have leaders that did [the right thing] back then and not have that now?” he said.
“The answer is because there was this belief that everybody was accountable to God. Whether you were a Christian or not, that was the basic belief in the country. And we don’t have that anymore. If you want better leaders, you need that moral check on every American citizen, because then it will lead to leaders doing good things.”
You can read more about one of America’s good leaders in Richard’s forthcoming book, Refusing a Crown. Learn more at his website below.
Returning guest Richard Lim shares why, as a history nerd, “he fell in love with George Washington.” According to Richard, the host of “This American President,” Washington is more than the face on the dollar bill—he’s the embodiment of American exceptionalism, whose decision to give up power resonates with people across countries and centuries. In fact, Washington’s leadership exemplified one of the only values that nearly 90% of Americans agree on today.
Listen to Part 1 of Richard’s interview for more on why Washington’s example is relevant for American politics today, and to hear about his forthcoming book, Refusing a Crown.
Something Americans Agree On
“Almost 90 percent of Americans want term limits in Congress,” Richard told Know Why. “There are few issues that unite the American people today,” he added.
That’s why he believes George Washington is an important figure for Americans to study. At a time when monarchy was the norm, Washington refused the crown that people offered him in the face of immense political success and popularity.
“In America this was possible,” he said. “In America there was an expectation that George Washington should act in a way that respected the will of the people.”
Rounding out Know Why’s Back to School series, Dr. George Barna joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss kids, parents, and worldview. While previous episodes in this series have focused on high school or college students, Dr. Barna addresses parents. Whether you have kids now or hope to someday, listen to find out why things like intentionality, consistency, and honesty are so critical in passing a biblical worldview on to the next generation. You’ll also hear why only 1% of American teens have a biblical worldview today, and why many kids are saying they don’t trust their parents.
