Presuppositional Science

Something that came to mind last night:  To an unbeliever, Science and God are polar opposites. "You believe in God, while I believe in Science," is a fairly common claim that they would make. What they are saying is that science and God are in conflict with one another so that one or the other may be true, but not both. 

That's a false choice that we need to dismiss out of hand. Science and Faith are not in conflict at all! What the unbeliever is really saying is that science is only valid if it helps support their presuppositions of no sovereign creator or law giver. It is indicitave of their ongoing quest to suppress the truth in their unrighteousness.

So what's the Christian response? Study any and all scientific journals so you can find some data that they will accept as authoritative and use that to prove the validity of faith? Should you dismiss the Bible in your hopes of convincing this person of the necessity of faith and the existance of God?

That's a common response, for sure. But it isn't one that is honoring to God or loving to the lost. It will not gain you the type of reputation that will open future doors to more conversations that would be fruitful, for when you do try to discuss the necessity of the Gospel, you will rightly be called a hypocrite, for you would have been denying its  power all along, while relying upon your own. Leaning on the broken understanding of one who denies the existance of God, even though the Bible clearly states that all men know God.

Read Romans 1:18 to the end of the chapter. Read it again and again.

So what is the proper place in the tension between God and science? First understand that there is no tension. All things have been placed under the authority of Jesus. Science can be used to understand His greatness by learning about His creation. We should explore and learn all about this world and the cosmos that we can. But when we use our scientific pursuits in an attempt to suppress the truth in our own unrighteousness, we become like those Paul warns Timothy about.

2 Timothy 3:6-7 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

Day 5

Genesis 9-10

Day 4

Genesis 6-8

Day 3

Chapter 5 is enough

Day Two

was today. Genesis 3-4. Sin enters the world through Adam, who was with Eve when the serpent approached her.

Day one

Was yesterday. Genesis 1-2. I'm already ahead of the plan.

Back to the Beginning Again

CoffeeSwirls began as a project. I was a 20-something guy getting into this whole Internet thing and was curious about web pages and how I might be able to make one. I had learned a few things on those free web hosts (remember geocities?) and wanted a little more control, as well as more space. Ultimately, I purchased a domain and hosting and made my website. Next thing I knew my website becane a blog, which was used to document my read through the Bible in a year.

Reading the entire Bible is something that every Christian should try to do in their lifetime. We have so many opportunities to engage with the word of God that weren't available to Christians in the past. The printing press,the internet,apps on your electronic devices and more have only made the Bible easier to obtain. I say this not to shame anyone who hasn't read the Bible, but to remind us all that we can quickly get back on track. And God doesn't require us to read the Bible in a single year. All that is required of us is that we engage with God through His word.

I have read the Bible through in a single year. I enjoyed doing it and would encourage anyone and everyone who wants to start a project like that. But there are reasons why I won't be doing that right now. Instead, I'm going to try a less stressful plan that I found at the Ligonier website:  Bible Reading Plans  And the plan I will use is called "Every Word in the Bible." (Link to the PDF)

This is a plan that reads through the Bible one chapter at a time and alternates between the Old and the New Testaments. And for those of you doing the math, the schedule would take me three years to complete the Bible. Why such an easy goal?

1. Reading three chapters a day to complete the Bible in one year isn't "hard" but when you get behind by a day or two, you can really get stressed out. Engaging with God in His word shouldn't be a task that causes anxiety and it shouldn't be done out of a legalistic heart or just as something to check off of a list. 
2. There are places in the Bible where a TON of information is discussed over three chapters. You sometimes read more than you can really digest. I want the freedom to linger in a reading a bit more. 
3. There are places where two chapters at a time is ideal. I think of the story of Joseph in Genesis and how his life can be contrasted with that of Judah. 
4. There will be times I read more than a chapter. There will be days I don't get to it. I am expecting to complete this project in more than two years but less than three. 
5. I will also be reading outside my schedule, both in the Bible and in other books. I expect to have some reading to do for my life group at church and am part of a group of guys who meet with the pastors weekly to discuss future sermon. Reading a plan with one expected chapter a day allows lots of time for extra reading. 
6. Finally, I do not plan to document every reading here. I do expect to share some of my thoughts, but this blog is semi to fully retired. Daily posts just aren't happening. It isn't you, it's me. :)

Oh, and Happy New Year!