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Discovering Truth/Scientific Method

1/29/2018

As we discussed in the previous post, there is truth. To refute that statement requires the refutation to be true. So, if someone says, “There is no absolute truth.” Their self-contradiction is made clear by asking the question, “Is that true?” Everything we do in this world is contingent upon there being objective truth. Science depends on truth. Math depends on truth. Reality depends on our recognizing that the universe operates with the assumption of certain truths.
So, how do we discover truth? Scientists use what is known as the “scientific method.” Many people who come from a naturalist/humanist/atheistic perspective will point to science as being the only way to know anything. There are massive problems with this viewpoint. But before addressing those, let’s look at how the scientific method is helpful in our search for truth.
The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that you observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where? A savvy scientist will use research and information gathered from the past to find the best way to do things and insure against mistakes of the past.
Construct a Hypothesis: A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. It is an attempt to answer the question with an explanation that can be tested. A good hypothesis allows the scientist to make a prediction: "If ___[I do this] _, then _[this]___ will happen."
The hypothesis and prediction are recorded. The predictions need to be measurable.
Test Hypothesis through Experiment: Experiments test whether the prediction is accurate and thus the hypothesis is supported or not. Importantly, tests should change only one factor at a time while keeping all other conditions the same to ensure a fair test. Experiments should be repeated several times to make sure that the first results weren't by chance.
Analyze Data and Draw a Conclusion: Post experiment, data is analyzed and conclusions are made. Repeated testing of hypotheses and theories allows for the scientist to arrive at scientific “truths.”
Scientists often find that their predictions were not accurate and their hypothesis was not supported, and in such cases they will communicate the results of their experiment and then go back and construct a new hypothesis and prediction based on the information they learned during their experiment. This starts much of the process of the scientific method over again. Even if they find that their hypothesis was supported, they may want to test it again in a new way.
In science, the findings matter regardless of whether or not they support the original hypothesis. This is how we build a base of scientific knowledge. Some of that is knowledge of what didn’t work. Nonetheless it is helpful as it redirects the truth-seeker/Scientist to pursue other answers that should ultimately lead to the discovery of truth.
In discussions of absolutes, many people have made science and the scientific method the “holy grail,” in the search for truth. As stated previously, the thoughts of some is that science should be able to give us the answers to “everything” in due time. What do you see as a glaring problem these people may face in their quest for truth? As we interact with the world it becomes apparent that all that involves truth may not involve the scientific method. Science requires repeatable experiments from previous observations. What about non-repeatable occurrences? What about historical occurrences? It sometimes comes up in these occurrences that if something is reported as having occurred that is outside the normal “laws of science and nature,” it should be disbelieved a priori (being without examination or analysis. Presumptive. Formed or conceived beforehand).
Presumptive decisions destroy the scientific method. The experiments are done to prove whether the predictions are true or not. Opinions or presuppositions are not generally the tool used to make that determination. Although in dialogue these days it has more and more become like that.
Two areas for which the scientific method has limited utility are: the study of history, and the realm of philosophy and meta-physics. Additionally, even in areas where we normally apply the scientific method, there are times that the scientific method is inadequate. Specifically, ultimate beginnings such as the appearance of the universe, and the appearance of life on earth. These aren’t repeatable events. Therefore, a more forensic approach to their study must be undertaken.
Next we will explore the historical method. After we look at the means for which we can discover truth, we will apply them to the observable universe to see where it leads and if the Christian worldview is consistent with the observable phenomena.
We are to seek truth, submit ourselves to those who

Jesus stood in front of him. His wife had been bothered about this man, Jesus, in her dream last night. It literally woke her up. And now, here He is. This beaten, bloody, itinerant rabbi who’d often been seen preaching openly in the temple. He was celebrated just 4 days ago. Monday He triumphantly entered the city to cheers. Now, here on Friday He was in front of Pilate. Many of the powerful Jewish religious leaders seemed either convinced that this man, Jesus, was a heretic, or a lunatic. What they didn’t think was that He was God Almighty. With that backdrop, Pilate began to question Jesus about His identity. Are you King of the Jews? Jesus questions Pilate’s question. He is getting to the heart of Pilate’s interest. Does he really want to know the truth. It soon becomes crystal clear.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. Matthew 18:37-38
The irony of that conversation is that Pilate was speaking with the personification of Truth. Jesus called Himself, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Yet, when he threw out the question, “what is truth,” to the one who IS the truth, instead of waiting for the answer, he went back outside to take care of the political power brokering that was going on in the quest to be done with this Galilean preacher.
            We live in a day where there are lots of Pilates, men and women who claim to seek truth. Many of these people take on academic titles and form the intellectually cool, “New Atheists.” I have listened to a great number of them. Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, the late Christopher Hitchins, Michael Shermer, among many others. These have made it part of their lives’ meanings to spread the word about the “truth” of atheism. I don’t have the training of these men, and yet, at times, the foolishness of some their arguments is apparent.
            So, to start our discussion of building a rational defense of our faith, keep in mind that the so-called “intellectually elite,” are just people. Some of their points are sound and have a good logical basis. Some betray a heart, mind, and soul, that just has to have it this way.
            A starting point in developing a solid apologetic and a worldview that works, is coming to the conclusion that truth is real. It is absolute. And, it can be known. The law of non-contradiction cannot be violated and maintain truth claims. For our purposes our definition of truth is: That which conforms with reality as it actually is. There are people who will get into discussions about this. Many will almost immediately begin to use self-defeating statements and their premises will be rendered useless by their own confusing rhetoric. As a believer, I believe that God is truth. I believe He reveals truth. I believe He intends for us to use truth to make appropriate life decisions.
Next, we will discuss how we discover truth and how we confirm and refute truth claims. We will also begin to start working toward reason to believe in a God. Not necessarily the God of the Bible. That will come later. Right now, we are building from the basic building blocks. Be sure to pass this along to any of your atheist friends. I’d love to have friendly, respectful dialogue with them. Always remember that a good argument is not what brings someone to Christ. The Holy Spirit does that. God may use good logic and our love to remove obstacles, but ultimately, He is the one who gets it done.

At the moment, I have two competing subjects I want to explore with you. One is regarding ultimate questions, such as, “How do we know that truth exists?” “Is there a God?” “What is our purpose?” You know, lite, trivial stuff. On the other hand, I feel led to engage you on a journey to diving deeper into the peculiar physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual mix that make you the being God has created you to be. I believe I may toggle between these two topics over the coming weeks. But for now, let's discuss these ultimate questions.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever doubted that the God of the Bible exists. Raise your hand if you’ve doubted the truth of the Bible. Tap your feet if you’ve ever worried that some “smart” person may come up with proofs that the story of Jesus, as told in the Bible, is not true. Finally, have you ever avoided engaging an intelligent friend, classmate, co-worker, etc. because you felt that you may not be able to answer the questions they ask you? If you said yes to any of these, give me a lap! JUST KIDDING!!!! Nope, you just fit right in to the human race by having those thoughts at one time or another. However, I do believe God has given us a mandate to seek to overcome these doubts and fears and to be voices of truth in a world living in a truth vacuum.
In I Peter 3:15 we hear:
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer (apologia) to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
Some translations of that finish with, “yet with gentleness and respect.” We are hearing this command from the guy who denied Jesus during His trial, but also the guy who stepped out on the water. He’s also the disciple who, though he denied him, did follow his Master to the courtyard. He then was one of the very first people to race to the empty tomb to realize that Jesus had risen! Shortly after that, Jesus appeared to Peter. Peter has a very clear testimony/very strong apologia for the hope that he has in Christ. He was an eyewitness to the most remarkable miracle since God spoke all of time, matter, and space into existence.
But Peter knew that you and I would believe in Christ based on the testimony of others. He knew that we would face skeptics. So, he is encouraging us to learn to “give a reason for the hope that is in us, yet with gentleness and respect.” Wow. That is a foreign concept in this day and time. That is, to share something that another person may not believe or even be opposed to with gentleness and respect. Quite frankly, I believe the love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and respect we show those outside of our faith, may have as much to do with them coming to know Jesus as the words you share. The ideal is that you have thought through and have a good rationale for why you believe what you believe.
Over the next few blogs, I will share with you how I build a case for my world view and ultimately, my faith in Christ to someone coming from a very un-churched or anti-Christian background. Feel free to ask questions here on the blog page of issues or questions that may have come up in your own interactions with non-believers.
Blessings,
TG

2 Comments

Each day we go into the world with the opportunity to make an impact. Each person whose paths cross ours matters. Lives intersect for a reason. I believe there is One who directs our steps to these sometimes seemingly random meetings. My goal for these encounters is that I make a difference. That is my desire for those who venture across my blog. I hope you are blessed and it makes a difference for you.
TG

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