Re: [asa] Science's Blind Spot: The Unseen Religion of Scientific Naturalism

George,

You do well to sigh. My memory, like yours, is no longer as sharp as it once was. However, I think mine is the better excuse, viz old age!.

You know full well what the 'supposed unexplainable phenomena are', for I've been attempting to bring them to your attention for years. However, here is a concise aide-memoire which, I trust, will counter that acute forgetfulness.: http://www.whatabeginning.com/Misc/Wonders/P.htm. You might wish to comment.

Again, it is no fantasy of mine that you, in particular, have steadfastly refused to examine the numero-geometrical and other phenomena contained in the opening Hebrew words of the Judeo-Christian Scriptures. Interestingly, a couple of common artefacts bear witness to their absolute significance. See for yourself. Here are the relevant pages: http://www.whatabeginning.com/A4/Origami/P.htm and http://www.whatabeginning.com/Music/M_Lesson.htm.

And, regarding your third point, I think we established some weeks ago that you _don't believe in miracles_ - at least, not those of the 'here and now' variety. It ftherefore follows that, in your view, the Lord _must_ always act in 'a lawlike manner'. Are you not being presumptuous in taking that line?

I very much doubt that MN has been as reliable a scientific 'plank' as you suggest. The imaginative pretence that the supernatural is denied access to the laboratory, or to the minds of those engaged in scientific investigation is, frankly, ludicrous. As a Christian, you must surely agree.

Shalom

Vernon

PS You may also be interested to read http://www.whatabeginning.com/ObDec.htm. This concerns Rev.13:18 and the peculiar significance of 666.
V

www.whatabeginning.com
www.otherbiblecode.com
   
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: George Murphy
  To: Vernon Jenkins ; David Opderbeck ; Ted Davis
  Cc: PvM ; Gregory Arago ; asa@calvin.edu ; (Matthew) Yew Hock Tan
  Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 5:25 PM
  Subject: Re: [asa] Science's Blind Spot: The Unseen Religion of Scientific Naturalism

  Sigh! 1st, you give no idea of what the supposed unexplainable phenomena are. 2d, The notion that scientists refuse to examine such phenomena is, by & large, fantasy. & 3d, saying that we can't "guarantee" that God will act in a lawlike manner is not at all the same as giving reasons to think he won't.

  3 strikes & you're out.

  & of course you fail to address my main point in the post you cite, that science based on MN works. Deal with it.

  Shalom
  George
  http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Vernon Jenkins
    To: George Murphy ; David Opderbeck ; Ted Davis
    Cc: PvM ; Gregory Arago ; asa@calvin.edu ; (Matthew) Yew Hock Tan
    Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 11:01 AM
    Subject: Re: [asa] Science's Blind Spot: The Unseen Religion of Scientific Naturalism

    George,

    You really are most provocative! A few days ago you wrote, in part,

    "All the history, philosophy & theology involved in this discussion is interesting, but we shouldn't lose track of one crude empirical fact: Science operating within the constraints of MN works - it has been working for ~400 years & continues to work very well in explaining known phenomena & predicting new ones. Of course that doesn't mean that what it's able to study exhausts all reality, or that we may encounter observable phenomena that such science can't finally explain. But - bracketting off for a moment claims for unique historical events like the resurrection - we don't have any reason to believe that there are any such phenomena."

    You will observe that I have highlighted the words I find particularly interesting.

    Of course, if one refuses to examine claims for the existence of 'such phenomena' - seemingly preferring to remain ignorant of facts that MN can't explain - and, manifestly, never will be able to explain - then these words, clearly, are the words of one who, apparently _at any cost_, is intent on defending a lost cause.

    George, you should know that we can never guarantee that our Creator is going to act through things in the natural world in a _lawlike manner_. That is why MN must fail to satisfy the Christian in science.

    Shalom,

    Vernon

    www.whatabeginning.com

    www.otherbiblecode.com

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Received on Fri Jul 20 19:32:09 2007