Chapter 1: The Impact of the Pandemic

The COVID-19 crisis has led to numerous tragedies around the globe. Countless individuals have fallen ill, and many lives have been lost. The necessity for social distancing kept us isolated, and masks gave us an odd appearance reminiscent of "bank robbers" for several months. (Personally, I found the masks rather unbothering.)

After the recent American elections, a vaccine was introduced. Although its approval came at an unprecedented speed, the urgency was justified given the loss of lives. Yet, a surprising number of “believers” opposed the vaccine. Some adhered to the former president's claims until their demise, believing the virus was merely a “hoax.” Others labeled the vaccine as the mark of the beast, while a few argued that God equipped them with a natural immune system, which they deemed sufficient. In hindsight, this faith-based approach was tragically inadequate, resulting in a significant loss of life fueled by unwavering belief.

With so many opting for faith over scientific evidence, I began to ponder: Do these individuals acknowledge that God endowed humanity with intellect? If so, what role does science play in relation to faith, and vice versa?

The Bible asserts that humanity was created in God's image. This perspective suggests that God is indeed responsible for human intellect. If we extend this idea, we might conclude that science is a divine gift, allowing us to comprehend the world around us. For believers, this concept is logical and fits well within their narrative. Yet, a critical issue arises: If this holds true, then science and faith should not only coexist but also work together in a vital partnership.

Nonetheless, contemporary Christianity often finds itself at odds with scientific understanding. Many Christians have historically held the belief that the Earth is merely a few thousand years old, which contradicts scientific findings. The Bible begins its account with the creation of the heavens and the earth but omits details about dinosaurs, the discovery of fire, or the development of early tools. According to the biblical narrative, although humanity began in a state of nudity, we were endowed with language and thought. Genesis 2:19 states:

Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

Assigning names to creatures indicates a level of cognitive function and communication skills. Either Adam was fully developed in these faculties from the outset, the text omits significant periods and details, or perhaps the story is not entirely accurate.

As per scientific estimates, the Earth is approximately 4 billion years old. Believers may argue that this figure is flawed since no one has lived long enough to confirm it, which is a valid point. However, this same reasoning applies in reverse; no one can definitively validate the biblical timeline just as science cannot conclusively prove the timeline of the big bang.

We do, however, possess scientific evidence through fossils and other remnants. Recognizing that neither timeline can be conclusively proven, science approximates that the fossilization process takes around 10,000 years. Thus, if we accept the belief that the Earth is just a few thousand years old, it follows that we should either not find fossils or that scientists are relying on a faith of their own without solid foundation.

But that’s not all. Fossilization not only requires time; it necessitates undisturbed time. Bones exposed to environmental elements would deteriorate before they could undergo fossilization. For fossils to form, the remains must have been buried undisturbed for thousands of years. This implies that after the extinction of dinosaurs, a significant period passed with minimal activity. It seems implausible that humans roamed the grounds where these enormous creatures were laid to rest.

Biblical scholars might dismiss this reasoning, arguing that the absence of dinosaurs in scripture is irrelevant to God's overarching narrative. Fair enough. However, if dinosaurs existed as the fossil record suggests, they would have had to be either onboard Noah's ark, wiped out by the flood, or created after the flood—none of which is substantiated by biblical text.

Speaking of Noah’s ark, the Bible claims that the ark measured 300 cubits in length, approximately 510 feet. In contrast, modern cruise ships typically exceed that length. Genesis 7 describes the use of this space:

On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.

Take note of the term “every living thing.” If dinosaurs were indeed on the ark, it would have had to be much larger. In fact, if we consider two of every species of terrestrial and avian creature currently known, the idea of accommodating them within a space slightly larger than an NFL football field appears highly improbable.

Examinations of fossilized remains indicate that dinosaurs perished from a cataclysmic incident that encased them in soil rather than water. Had they been submerged, their bones would likely have been exposed to the elements after the waters receded, leading to their destruction.

Regarding the notion that dinosaurs survived post-flood, further complications arise. In Genesis 1, God completed creation. During the flood, God annihilated it. There’s no evidence supporting the idea of further creation after that point. For the biblical account to align with scientific findings, dinosaurs would need to have existed during the original creation. The suggestion that dinosaurs were buried by soil implies that the entire Earth wasn't submerged by water, which is often preached. (To be fair, the Bible itself does not claim that the entire Earth was flooded. Instead, it states:

… all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered.

Depending on how one interprets “high mountains” and “entire heavens,” there may be a hint of hyperbole. Or perhaps it’s simply an Old Testament sentiment.)

As we transition to the New Testament, we read in Romans 11:34:

Who can fathom the mind of the Lord? Or who can claim to be His advisor?

“Ah,” I hear the scholars proclaim. “This encapsulates everything you need to know. God's thoughts surpass our comprehension!” If that’s the case, why would God grant us intellect at all? If we were created “in His image” and endowed with intelligence by Him, wouldn’t it be logical for science and faith to align more closely?

Even in our current world, events occur that challenge logical reasoning. But is it the work of the biblical “God,” or could there be alternative explanations? Consider the scientific principles of Occam’s razor or entropy. Shouldn’t these concepts be factored into a faith-based worldview?

In the first part of this series, I proposed that Christianity might not center around God or even Jesus Christ. Instead, I questioned whether it was devised as a means for one group to dominate another. (Certainly, this dynamic persists today.) With this perspective in mind, let's explore an alternative narrative.

Imagine this: Long before organized religion, children approached their elders with the same questions that youngsters ask their parents today: Where did we come from? Why is the sky blue? Where are the dinosaurs? Why are there so many languages? Can dogs read?

From ancient times to the present, parents have satisfied their children's curiosities with stories—some factual, others fictional. Perhaps a creative individual, an ancestor of Stephen King, Aristotle, C.S. Lewis, or even J.K. Rowling—someone gifted with imagination—began weaving tales to entertain a child. As the child matured and recounted the story, embellishments were naturally added. Eventually, as the child grew into adulthood and had their own children, these enriched stories were passed down once more, repeating the process for countless generations. Over time, humanity learned to document these narratives through drawings, letters, and words, leading to the evolution of language and written accounts of historical events and legends.

In this narrative, scientific evidence can complement the tenets of faith. It becomes understandable that numerous religions exist, some overlapping while others starkly contrast. Each may have taken a similar foundational story and woven their unique embellishments into its fabric, resulting in distinct narratives. Ultimately, the goal remains the same: to establish a social order that elevates some, diminishes others, and persecutes the rest. Why else would questioning “the mind of the Lord” be discouraged? Science thrives on inquiry, and if God indeed granted us science, should we assume He intended for us to refrain from utilizing it?

(Then again, perhaps that aligns with God’s nature. After all, He allegedly placed a tree in the Garden of Eden and instructed Adam and Eve not to touch it, which could indicate one of His “mysterious ways.”)

In conclusion, it is crucial to recognize that science does not negate faith. Rather, by suppressing scientific inquiry, faith often undermines itself more than adequately.

Chapter 2: The Role of Science in Faith

Here, we delve deeper into how scientific understanding can enhance religious beliefs, rather than contradicting them.

The first video, "Apostasy Part 2 - An Approach To Religion," discusses the intersection of faith and skepticism, examining how belief systems adapt in the face of scientific advancements.

The second video, "The Approaching Apostasy (Part 2 of 2)," further explores these themes, offering insights into the evolving relationship between religious faith and scientific inquiry.