Not Chaos, But Cosmos

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Not Chaos, But Cosmos

posted by The BioLogos Foundation | 8:00am Tuesday July 14, 2009

Antennae galaxies.jpg

What is the proper relationship between science and religion? Why is the universe so seemingly ordered and comprehensible? What can account for the suffering in the world? Is the universe finite or infinite?

These are just some of the questions addressed by John Polkinghorne in an episode of the ABC Radio national program Encounter, which recently looked at how modern theologians are “transforming the dialogue between science and religion in meaningful and fruitful ways”.

Polkinghorne begins by discussing the “double mistake” of assuming that science deals with fact and religion merely with opinion:

“There are no interesting scientific facts that are not already interpreted facts, and to interpret what’s being measured you have to use theoretical opinions. Its conclusions are never absolutely certain but well justified.”

Similarly, he says:

“Religion isn’t just a question of shutting your eyes, gritting your teeth, and believing impossible things on some unquestionable authority.”

He maintains that the two sides share much in common, calling them “cousins” at heart.

Polkinghorne also discusses the apparent fine-tuning of the universe, as well as the multiverse hypothesis, which he claims is merely substituting a complex array of universes in the place of a divine creator. No matter the origins, however, Polkinghorne maintains that we do not live in chaos — a world full of sound and fury but void of meaning — but instead in a well-ordered cosmos. This order invariably leads us to question the existence of a creator.

In the full broadcast, Polkinghorne also discusses evolution, the idea of free will, and how God works in the world. The episode also includes a presentation by Michael Northcutt, a professor of ethics at Edinburgh University, on how religion can play a role is addressing the climate crisis.

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Comments read comments(3)

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Robert Landbeck

posted July 15, 2009 at 9:24 am

In fact the seemingly intractable friction between science and religion has in principle now been resolved by a new interpretation of the moral teachings of Christ circulating on the web.
“A new teaching delivers the first ever religious claim of insight into the human condition, that meets the Enlightenment criteria of verifiable, evidence based truth embodied in action. However unexpected or seemingly implausible, for the first time in history, a new moral tenet exists, offering access by faith, to absolute proof for its belief.”
Revolutionary stuff for those who can handle it. Just don’t expect existing religious tradition or the atheist fringe to be happy about it.
Check it out at http://www.energon.org.uk

Emiliano M

posted July 18, 2009 at 12:06 am

Great Interview! The lecture with Michael Northcott is also great!!
Paz de Cristo

Wm Carter Elliott

posted June 9, 2011 at 8:03 pm

Please visit the link, above, which I’ve titled, “Proof of God’s Existence”. It’s based on Aristotle’s statement regarding Responsibility: “An adult is Responsible for the Foreseeable Consequences of his Deliberate Actions”.

It’s worth noting that in order for a person to be responsible for anything he does, he needs to live in a universe with TWO sets of Physics – one that allows Consequences to be Foreseen, the other to allow the person to Deliberate on his decision. Lacking either, no one would be responsible for anything.

It is VERY TELLING that this universe has BOTH sets of Physics – One which is EXACT, allowing foresight, the other INEXACT, allowing deliberation. THIS, IMO, is the STRONGEST argument supporting that this universe was Created by a Being who DOES CARE about what we do, and by implication, DOES CARE about our FATES.