FAITH AND SCIENCE- IF GOD DOES EXIST. WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO DO WITH ME?
Evolution, Creationism, and Intelligent Design:
1. - One of the most basic questions people have asked throughout history is "where did we come from?" That's a good question, and until the 1800s, "God made us" was a perfectly satisfactory answer. Now, in an age of science and technology, we want specifics. This drive to discover where we came from has lead to three theories, and the debate over these theories has gone on from university research labs to public school classrooms to court rooms. It can be confusing, but let's take a look at the facts first, and then look at the theories. Ultimately we all must decide if life is random and chaotic, or if God really is the Author of life.
2. Many scientists today support the idea that our universe began with a "Big Bang" 13.7 billion years ago, where a super-dense and super-hot mass exploded, and created the Universe we know today. The massive nuclear explosion caused the formation of the elements such as Hydrogen and Helium, and created masses of exploding gasses we know as stars as well as gravitational forces. The universe is believed to still be expanding today. According to Radiometric Age Dating, the Earth is about 4.54 billion years old. Radiometric Age Dating is generally accepted as quite reliable, and it is believed to provide an accurate way to date many natural and man-made materials. There has been some criticism of radiometric Age Dating, but the scientific community generally accepts it as reliable. In fact, Radiometric Age Dating, or Carbon Dating as it is sometimes called, has determined the age and time-frame of many Biblical sites and confirmed Biblical accounts.
FAITH AND FACTS
1. Few people accept anything on faith anymore. Doubt, skepticism, and even hostility towards God and Christianity have become the norm in much of today's society. Many people make a choice that is far more disturbing than simply rejection God; they choose to ignore him. It is truly amazing to see how much people invest into their education, career, family. and friends, but turn a blind eye to spiritual issues. Why is this so? Why do people criticize Christianity without researching the facts, trade in two thousand years of theological study for their won hastily formed opinions, or reject spiritual issues altogether? Perhaps it, is out of convenience, fear, or simply that spiritual issues are "out of sight, out of mind." Faith and Facts was written to combat the rampant ignorance about spiritual issues, and help people understand how and why having a relationship with God is the single most important decision in their lives. Whether someone is resistant to Christianity, seeking more information, struggling with doubt, or secure in their faith but looking for answers to common question, they can find many of the facts behind their faith.
2. Faith and Facts is certainly not comprehensive; it is a summary of critical information everyone should know about Christianity. It is brief enough to read in a single sitting, but contains enough information and study materials to lead a Sunday school class or Bible study for several weeks. It is written for a general audience, but draws on established and recent research in order to be accurate. It should answer many question for some, and provide a starting place for others to do more research on their own. It is intended to open up the scriptures for understanding, not replace any of them. Finally, the single purpose of this book is lead people to closer relationship with God, because without knowing your Creator, your life will have no purpose here on Earth or in Eternity. If you don't agree, please read on!
