The Faith vs. Science Error (1:1-2)
Early Errors
A Study of 1st John
Intro:
Author- Anonymous, widely considered the disciple John
Style- Perhaps more of a sermon than a letter
Recipients- Believers, perhaps confused (5:13)
Occasion- False teaching was present (2:26, 3:7, 4:1)
In other words, they had been infiltrated with errors. In this series, we will discuss a variety of errors that existed in John's day and/or exist in our day.
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
What does ‘the beginning’ refer to?
- Most likely the beginning of Jesus' ministry (Lk 1:3, Jn 15:27, Acts 1:22)
Who is this ‘we’?
- Most likely the Apostles, elders
Why is John emphasizing the senses?
- He's demonstrating that Christianity is a real, tangible, earthy faith
What does the ‘Word of life’ refer to?
- Jesus Christ (John 1, 14:6)
Are their testimonies reliable?
- They were present with Jesus and willing to die
Why was this worth proclaiming?
- God had visited and showed the way to eternal life
The “Faith vs. Science” Error
Definition:
This is the belief that faith & science are at odds with one another. Once one is chosen, the other becomes unnecessary.
Are faith & science really at odds?
- Ask Bacon, Kepler, Pascal, Faraday, Morse, Pasteur, Newton
- They are only at odds when mis-defined
- Faith is not blind trust that goes against the evidence
- Faith is active obedience that goes along with the evidence
- Science is not a philosophy of naturalism
- Science is the observation of information
Why did some believe they were enemies?
- It's a modern myth developed my naturalists and atheists
- The enlightenment cast them as enemies in their 'story'
- Ie. Galileo is portrayed as a scientist attacked by the church
- In reality, both Copernicus & Galileo were more fearful of their colleagues
Does this error exist in our culture?
- Certainly, we see it everyday among the skeptics/atheists
Does this error exist in our churches?
- Yes, and sometimes the reverse (Christian animosity toward true science)
Is Christian faith unreasonable?
- Certainly not. It asks to be investigated (1 Cor. 15:6, Sir William Ramsey)
A Study of 1st John
Intro:
Author- Anonymous, widely considered the disciple John
Style- Perhaps more of a sermon than a letter
Recipients- Believers, perhaps confused (5:13)
Occasion- False teaching was present (2:26, 3:7, 4:1)
In other words, they had been infiltrated with errors. In this series, we will discuss a variety of errors that existed in John's day and/or exist in our day.
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
What does ‘the beginning’ refer to?
- Most likely the beginning of Jesus' ministry (Lk 1:3, Jn 15:27, Acts 1:22)
Who is this ‘we’?
- Most likely the Apostles, elders
Why is John emphasizing the senses?
- He's demonstrating that Christianity is a real, tangible, earthy faith
What does the ‘Word of life’ refer to?
- Jesus Christ (John 1, 14:6)
Are their testimonies reliable?
- They were present with Jesus and willing to die
Why was this worth proclaiming?
- God had visited and showed the way to eternal life
The “Faith vs. Science” Error
Definition:
This is the belief that faith & science are at odds with one another. Once one is chosen, the other becomes unnecessary.
Are faith & science really at odds?
- Ask Bacon, Kepler, Pascal, Faraday, Morse, Pasteur, Newton
- They are only at odds when mis-defined
- Faith is not blind trust that goes against the evidence
- Faith is active obedience that goes along with the evidence
- Science is not a philosophy of naturalism
- Science is the observation of information
Why did some believe they were enemies?
- It's a modern myth developed my naturalists and atheists
- The enlightenment cast them as enemies in their 'story'
- Ie. Galileo is portrayed as a scientist attacked by the church
- In reality, both Copernicus & Galileo were more fearful of their colleagues
Does this error exist in our culture?
- Certainly, we see it everyday among the skeptics/atheists
Does this error exist in our churches?
- Yes, and sometimes the reverse (Christian animosity toward true science)
Is Christian faith unreasonable?
- Certainly not. It asks to be investigated (1 Cor. 15:6, Sir William Ramsey)
posted by matthew at 10:46 AM
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