The Tools of Integrated Apologetics Course 1.5.3
Analysis Of Scientific Truth
Dr. Johnson C. Philip Revised By Erick Venden
Chapter — 3
Historical Studies
In a generation that worships science, many people do not realize that historical studies are different from material sciences. Material sciences like Physics and Chemistry study those properties of matter that can be investigated with the help of repeatable experiments. Historical sciences, however, deal with things that have taken place in the past. They cannot be repeated. For example, investigators into the Laws of Motion can perform any number of experiments and verify to their satisfaction that these laws represent reality. On the other hand, a person studying the Pyramids in Egypt cannot replay the entire history. History is not like a videotape which can be rewound and replayed any number of times. Thus historical studies have many restrictions.
Demanding precision in this field equivalent to that which is seen in material sciences is not fair. The Origin Of The Universe, The Origin Of Life, and Archaeology are some examples of Historical Investigation. The impression given to students is that studying the Origin Of The Universe and The Origin Of Life is part of material sciences. In fact these subjects are handled by cosmology and biology, respectively, but that is only for the sake of convenience. These investigations are actually non-repeatable and historical in nature.
People often demand scientific proof for the historical narratives in the Bible. The demand is that these historical narratives should be supported by the discoveries of the physical sciences. This is contrary to what can be done. The historical sciences can be investigated only with the methods of historical research. Any other demand is contrary to reason, and is a mark of ignorance about the nature of scientific investigation.
Thus whether Jesus Christ came out of the grave, was there a long day at the time of Joshua, was a star seen at the birth of Jesus, did Moses exist, etc. are questions falling into the realm of historical investigation. These should therefore be investigated with the help of historical sciences.
It is often seen that people who have no perception of the difference between historical and material sciences demand material proofs for historical subjects. No meaningful discussion is possible before this difference is made clear to them. Thus the best approach for Christian apologists facing this kind of question is to bring the opponent to the realization that historical and physical sciences should not be mixed illegitimately.
Bible/Science: Summary
Science is made up of facts, theories, and models. Of these, only established facts and laws can be used to examine the Bible.
Theories and models have no permanence, and therefore they cannot be used to question the Bible. On answering an attack based upon
science, the Christian apologist should immediately ask the question, "is it a fact, theory, or model?" Once a clear answer is
obtained, the rest becomes easy.
The Biblical Position:
Sola Scriptura (The Bible Alone)
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)
Any People Who Say That They Are Christians And Then Dispute The Above Statements, Is A Heretic
Analysis Of Scientific Truth
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