...Methodology in Empirical Phenomenological Research in Practical Theology1 it is authored by Hans-Günter Heimbrock. He indicates that practical theologians have initiated investigations and scientific researches that are associated with faith and religion. These theological studies have been made possible with the increase social science methods, which are being applied by the researchers to indicate the theological knowledge that can be used in social dynamics, contexts and conditions related to the religious life. Pastoral works have these studies to thank as they help them in conducting their works effectively. Heimbrock also instigates that the there has been a growing interest for theological studies ever since the introduction of the scientific methodology in theological work. The methodologies have increased the criteria and the standards of theological studies that can be used in the empirical research. The aspect of religion can be understood through the implication of religious research that is being increased through the means of social scientific instruments. Different aspects on religious studies and scientific methods can be applied in these studies. However, this paper will scrutinize some of the methodologies that can be applied in understanding the empirical side of religion through the stimulation of the correct standards of discussions and researches. This is due to the dire need for the reflection of the consequences and theological impacts that are associated...
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...Bacon Sir Francis Bacon had a different view on the world as did the other authors we have read. Bacon’s view was solely on scientific method and experimentation. Francis Bacon was the founder of the scientific method which led to his critical thinking. For Bacon, nothing exists in the universe except individual bodies. I do not agree with this on the terms of it clearly shown that there is more in this world than just people. I believe that his scientific method and his gatherings are what has lead him to believe such a theory. Moving forward, Bacon tends to divide theology into two categories: natural and revealed. Natural theology is knowing that God exist, we know this because of study of nature and the creatures God created. I am a follower of natural theology, I enjoy studying creations because it makes my faith for God a lot stronger. Anything other than the knowledge of God and his creations is labeled under revealed theology. As I read and read the New Atlantis, I am beginning to see that the society in the story is definitely a scientific society. Also, in the New Atlantis, the need for man to be driven does not exist, also the scarcity is demolished because there is no need for money. It is all based off of science. I can agree on some aspects of science and religion. However, there are a few points that I can make as a Christian as to why religion is not science. The first point is the creation of the world. I do not believe it was science that created the world, I...
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...on What is the Relation between Science and Religion William Lane Craig Examines several ways in which science and theology relate to each other. Back in 1896 the president of Cornell University Andrew Dickson White published a book entitled A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom. Under White’s influence, the metaphor of “warfare” to describe the relations between science and the Christian faith became very widespread during the first half of the 20th century. The culturally dominant view in the West—even among Christians—came to be that science and Christianity are not allies in the search for truth, but adversaries. To illustrate, several years ago I had a debate with a philosopher of science at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver , Canada, on the question “Are Science and Religion Mutually Irrelevant?” When I walked onto the campus, I saw that the Christian students sponsoring the debate had advertised it with large banners and posters proclaiming “Science vs. Christianity.” The students were perpetuating the same sort of warfare mentality that Andrew Dickson White proclaimed over a hundred years ago. What has happened, however, in the second half of this century is that historians and philosophers of science have come to realize that this supposed history of warfare is a myth. As Thaxton and Pearcey point out in their recent book The Soul of Science, for over 300 years between the rise of modern science in the 1500’s and the late 1800s the relationship...
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...Examining the Atheist Belief and Defending the Christian Faith Rhonda Rigsby APOL 500 7/7/13 Target Audience The selected target audience for this paper is atheists. Atheists are defined as “a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of God or gods”, according to the Random House College dictionary. The first order of business within the atheist argument is that atheism is not a belief at all. Many Christians cringe when they hear the word atheism or that someone is an atheist, while some become angry, others consider it an opportunity to convert a lost soul. Statistics have shown an increase in atheism, which was predicted in the bible, and many tend to think that atheists all come from a scientific background and that as many as ninety-five percent of scientists are atheists. A study by Curry concludes differently reporting that seven percent of scientists are Christians and twenty-one percent are agnostic, while seventy-two percent report they do not believe they have a personal god.However, during this study it appears some skewness existed in the sense people were asked if they believed that God was affective and communicates with mankind. With this a part of the equation, most based their response on the fact they did not think God, if they believe He does exist, actually tried to communicate with mankind. At the end of the study, they concluded that thirty four participants actually were atheists by the above mentioned dictionary’s...
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...did major work in the development of the study of the genetics of plants before the science was even beginning to be developed. Historically issues of faith and science have collided and I would think that both theology and science have its place in the world as the search for knowledge continues. Religious Fundamentalism which requires a literal interpretation of the Bible as a substitute for science is bad theology and bad for science, and mistakenly puts the science and theology at war assuming that there is only one truth and it exists in one place and is not subject to any further interpretation. Simil arly mean spirited materialistic science which negates or belittles theology is similarly wrong headed and denies much of the basis from which it came. Historically I believe that both science and theology have their place in explaining man's and or women's place in the universe and their relation to other living beings. For much of history churches and religious orders have done much to support what has come to be known as a scientific study of the universe. Galileo explained that the Earth and the other planets revolved around the sun and that has come to be accepted. Earlier church teaching were eventually discarded as mistaken and both science and theology have moved forward. Good...
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...and Christianity Liberty University Summary Entwistle’s book, Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity, discusses the historical background of psychology, religion, and the tension that is often associated when trying to blend the two. According to Entwistle, “psychology utilizes reason and observation of nature as its primary source,” whereas “theology utilizes Scripture as its primary source” (p. 135). Psychology and Christianity are discussed under five models of integration within the text. These models are Enemies, Spies, Colonists, Neutral Parties, and Allies. The Enemies model pits psychology and theology against one another. One either chooses the scientific path of psychology or goes the spiritual route with theology to solve a problem. There is no room to integrate the two. People who follow this model are either spiritual or scientific. They do not believe the two are intertwined. Entwistle further divides the Enemies into Secular Combatants, who embrace psychology without any religious authority, and the Christian Combatants, who embrace religious authority and work to protect it from human interference (Entwistle, p. 138). The Spies model recognizes the benefits of religion and Scripture but does not seek to integrate the religious aspect into psychology. If religion does try to play a part, it is reduced to the most minimalist form. Therefore, the therapist may recognize his or her client attends Church and even encourages such attendance...
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...An American Journey through Religion Throughout history man has attempted to makes sense of his existence. Allah, God, Krishna, Mother Nature or Zeus, are but a few names given to divine beings said to govern the natural order of things. Varied nomenclature aside, the beliefs and practices religion imparts on its followers are far important. Missionaries provide aid to the impoverished, extremist murder thousands and everything else in between has been attributed to the observance of some set of religious influence. Many are born into a religious denomination, and remain faithful without question. However, others find their theological journey is not as certain and must seek out personal truths to define their understanding of the cosmos. Millions of Americans find this particularly true, who by law, fortunately have the freedom to choose any religion they see fit. Unfortunately, freedom of religion is a privilege many Americans often taken for granted. Nevertheless, an individual has the opportunity to discover their own interpretation of a higher power (or powers), in order to better explain their world and their supporting role. Art, literature and philosophy have been used for thousands of years to express and inspire religious conviction. An examination of ideology and the...
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...The Higgs Boson’s conflict with Theology Klynton Rhodes Georgia Southern University The Higgs Boson’s conflict with Theology A scientific discovery is also a religious discovery. There is no conflict between science and religion. Our knowledge of God is made larger with every discovery we make about the world. –Joseph H. Taylor Jr, God Evidence According to Steve Paulson (2010) “The debate over science and religion is like catnip for anyone wanting to spout off about the improbability of God or the arrogance of scientists”(p.1). Since I was young I remember being told that no matter what I learned in science class about evolution, or the big bang, that God was real. According to Dr. Agustin Fuentes of Psychology today “There are some factions of Christianity whose leaders (and thus their followers) express adamant opposition to “evolution” and this is often used as the key example in the science vs. religion conflict.” Examples of controversial scientific discoveries such as cloning, and genetic manipulation, are considered to be inhumane. In my opinion God created science for humans to better understand the world he created, and according to Steve Paulson (2010) Albert Einstein shared my belief demonstrated when he stated “ Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind” (p.3). It is well known that some people believe that the universe was started with the big bang as well as the subsequent reactions that followed. This brings into the discussion...
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...THE THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RUDOLF BULTMANN one briefly explain the theological of a man whose diversified writings first book How the present decade? Is it extend fromahissignificance review ina 1908 to possible for short essay to disclose fundamental unity in topics which range from source criticism, the history of religion, literary criticism, classical philology, technical exegesis, Gnostic studies, existential philosophy, and hermeneutics to the Gifford Lectures, the theological essay, popular and literate dialogue about the Church, demythologizing, and the relation of the New Testament to daily life?3 If the theological significance is judged in terms of intellectual climate, moral force, and scholarly style or by the more tangible but subtle influence on several generations of scholars, then the theological significance seems almost as elusive as it is palpable. Fortunately, diversity of form and subject is more apparent than real. The theological atmosphere and problematic shaped by Bultmann may be traced to concepts and procedures available to any critical reader. While it is quite correct to note, as did Hans Jonas on the Feiertag celebrated in honor of Bultmann in Marburg, November 16,1976, that it is impossible to separate the man from his writings, for he lived as he wrote,4 we are not here primarily concerned with Bultmann's personal psychological integrity, striking as it is. It may, however, be accurate to say that this escalating unity of life and work...
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...and Religion: Bridging the Great Divide EVER since science began drifting away from religion, centuries ago, each has dreamed of subsuming the other. Scientists, in their boldest moments, speak of explaining away all the mysteries by empirical inquiry, leaving no need for ancient wisdom. And the faithful, fervently believing in spiritual forces unmeasurable by any meter, find it absurd that God's children would aspire to heaven solely by building telescopes and computers -- scientific Towers of Babel. They have longed for a reality beyond the shadowplay of the material realm. Left between these extremes are many people who are both scientific and religious, and confused about whether a bridge can ever cross the divide. Every few decades, this hope for reconciliation, or ''dialogue,'' experiences a revival. The most recent may be the biggest, with books, conferences and television shows trying to find a common ground between two fundamentally different ways of thinking about the world. In the 1970's scholars tried to merge science with Eastern religion; the emphasis now is on rejoining science with monotheistic, usually Christian, faith. Not all the work is motivated by religious passion. In his new best-selling book, ''Consilience'' (Knopf), the Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson tries to revive the Enlightenment dream of a unified system of knowledge that would embrace not only the sciences but also morality and ethics, removing them from the uncertainties of religion. Here...
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...Science and Religion can coexist. PHI 103 July 15, 2013 Science and Religion can coexist. As far back as the history of humankind can assert, human beings have had a desire and an affinity to search for the truth. Human beings want to know about the truth behind the world and its existence. Human beings begin to seek and provide answers to questions asked through the distinctly different disciplines known as science and religion. However, science and religion are not as separate as one might be lead to believe. Both minister towards humankind's craving for the truth. While Science and religious beliefs are complete opposites they can complement each other allowing them to coexist with little conflict. Religion can provide an explanation when science is unable to do so and science provides an explanation where religion is unable to do so. If the assumption is that science and religion are incompatible, then it simply means that it is highly unreasonable to accept simultaneously the claims of modern science and the claims made by religious doctrine. The initial premise that one might think is that these two would more than often contradict each other, however, science exist to explain the natural world, that is, the world around us. Religion tends to explain the purpose and meaning behind the natural world. It is the difference between physical and spiritual realities that each represents and tries to explain. As science focuses on the physical truth, religion examines...
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...up against enormous resistance from the beginning of time. Early believers such as Moses, Elijah, Paul, and Peter all had to demonstrate that their God is the one true God at times. These believers even encountered persecution and ridicule for holding on to these beliefs at times. Nevertheless the challenges to these early believers tended to be demonstrating that their God was greater than their accuser’s god or gods. At times, it was through the words of men that the God of the Bible was shown to be greater, and other times it was through the action of God in the world and the inaction of the other gods that demonstrated His power and existence This paper will explain three arguments used to demonstrate the existence of God through scientific principles. His existence will be shown using the cosmological, teleological, and anthropological arguments. In academic areas especially science, the question of...
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...notes on Religion and Theology. Name Course Instructor Date Abstract The debate on religion and religious beliefs, doctrines and practices, has preoccupied man’s mind for as long as creation itself. There is an inward urge in to try and penetrate into this topic, gathering as much information as possible. In doing so endless arguments, that sometimes seem to weigh beliefs of one religion against another, often arise. There is also a tendency to look at the similarities in teachings from different religions, their practicability and what they endeavor to achieve in the long run. Religious studies also often find their arguments leaning toward relationship between the whole idea of creation and God’s participation in it. However, in religious circles there is often no doubt of belief in the supreme as far as creation and the existence of the universe is concerned. In view of this, we will seek to understand whether creation is testimony to God’s existence. Introduction Religion is no doubt a subject that has formed and greatly influenced the existence of various theories, cultural behaviors and as well raised a considerable sense of controversy. All religions draw their very own existence from some natural being and this element is well supported by references recorded mostly in books that are used to teach the doctrines of these specific religions. ...
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...In: Religion Topics The Advancement BOOK CRITIQUE of The Advancement: Keeping the Faith in an Evolutionary Age L. Russ Bush APOL 500 (Summer 2013) Introduction to Apologetics Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary Edwin S. Krzyzek (ID# 25767621) June 16th, 2013 Introduction The scales of theology have shifted. The balance of human epistemology has shifted from a higher creator to cosmic accident. The vast majority of history has shown humans to be theistic; the most recent dot on the string of time has been that of naturalism. Where Christianity has dominated western thinking for so long, it now finds itself in the minority voice of reason. Even Christians themselves have taken to blending their views to remain contemporary. L Russ Bush addresses this proliferation of naturalism in The Advancement. Brief Summary Bush produces an eight chapter discourse on the evolution, propagation and fallacy of a view that espouses inevitable naturalistic progress. One that believes biological life and humans in particular are evolving into a constant state of improvement. That believes science to be the replacement of God. Bush coins this worldview, “the Advancement”. Bush says that Christian stability has been replaced by naturalisms unstable relativity. Meaning no longer has meaning. Truth itself is subjective and new is always better. Bush begins by introducing a number of pre-modern and modern philosophers. Bush succinctly steps us through...
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...Introduction Philosophy of religion is a branch of philosophy concerned with questions regarding religion, including the nature and existence of God, the examination of religious experience, analysis of religious vocabulary and texts, and the relationship of religion and science. It is an ancient discipline, being found in the earliest known manuscripts concerning philosophy, and relates to many other branches of philosophy and general thought, including metaphysics, logic, and history. Philosophy of religion is frequently discussed outside of academia through popular books and debates, mostly regarding the existence of God and problem of evil. The philosophy of religion differs from religious philosophy in that it seeks to discuss questions regarding the nature of religion as a whole, rather than examining the problems brought forth by a particular belief system. It is designed such that it can be carried out dispassionately by those who identify as believers or non-believers. Religion: A Part of Metaphysics Philosophy of religion has classically been regarded as a part of metaphysics. In Aristotle's Metaphysics, the necessarily prior cause of eternal motion was an unmoved mover, who, like the object of desire, or of thought, inspires motion without itself being moved. This, according to Aristotle, is God, the subject of study in theology. Today, however, philosophers have adopted the term philosophy of religion for the subject, and typically it is regarded...
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