Not All “Science” is Science

Scientists are supposed to research the operation of the material world using the scientific method. That is, they use observation and experimentation to test theories to discover more fully how the natural universe works. Probably, most scientists follow this approach pretty closely.

However, many do not. Rather than use observation and experimentation as a means of drawing conclusions, some take a different tack by drawing their conclusions first, then perform experiments to try and prove their beliefs. Most who do this are committed to a belief in naturalistic philosophy (the belief that the natural universe operating by natural laws is all that exists), and cannot conceive of the possibility that there is a transcendent reality that includes God. So, out of hand, they set aside the possibility that there is anything empirical science cannot account for. For them, naturalistic philosophy and science are the same thing.

I recently came across an article on the UnionRayo website that describes this very kind of situation. The title of the article is: Nothing is as we thought – James Webb Telescope confirms we were wrong about how we saw the galaxy (The article can be found at https://unionrayo.com/en/james-webb-telescope-tension-hubble-universe-expansion-confirms-galaxy/).

The article begins:

Have you ever been aware of the immensity of the universe? Have you ever been lying on your back on a green grass at night looking at the stars and thinking “how small we are” or “who else is up there?” How big is the universe? Now, with telescope technology, astronomers have discovered something that does not fit with our conception of the universe ...

The article then goes on to discuss the speed of the movement of the universe. Apparently, there are two different methods for computing that speed, and the different methods come to completely different conclusions.

The first method is called the “Big Bang Echo” and studies the universe’s microwave background radiation. This method has the universe expanding at 67 km/s/Mpc (kilometers per second per megaparsec [whatever that is]). These measurements were confirmed by the Hubble Space Telescope. When the James Webb Telescope went online, the measurements were made again using this more powerful instrument, and Webb went on to confirm the measurements made by Hubble.

The second measurement method is called “Cephaid Stars.” This method used certain stars whose brightness helps calculate the distances and speed at which the universe is expanding. Based on this method, it is expanding at 74 km/s/Mpc.

So now, according to Nobel laureate David Gross, because of this discrepancy, there is a full blown crisis in the arena of theoretical physics. As a result, scientists simply don’t understand the universe. Beyond that, they are not sure what is causing the discrepancy. Is it because of unknown particles out in space, variable dark energy, or are there dimensions beyond human perception? Actually, there are dozens of theories, but no definitive answers.

So what are we to make of all this? Well, there are a couple of things we can discern.

First, there is a LOT that scientists do not know. Now that particular point is the normal order of things. No matter how much we learn, there will still be more to learn. And it is not just the scientists who believe in naturalistic philosophy that must deal with this. Scientists who are Christians also face this same reality.

But more importantly for this discussion is the starting point for the science that we must evaluate. Scientists who are committed to naturalistic philosophy start with the belief that whatever the ultimate answer turns out to be regarding the speed of the universe’s expansion, the source of the universe’s motion had to be some natural phenomenon. As a result, they are only willing to consider possibilities in which some natural force is behind it all. And that is fine if God really does not exist. But they don’t know that. They assume it is true, but they don’t know. And their assumptions completely preclude them considering possible theories that extend beyond the natural forces of the universe.

Scientists who are Christians, on the other hand, are able to accept where the actual science leads without having to worry about limiting their options. While one day scientists may be able to come up with a definitive answer as to how fast the universe is traveling, they will never be able to, using science, explain how the universe got here in the first place. The answer to that is simply outside of science.

Freddy Davis is the president of MarketFaith Ministries. He is the author of numerous books entitled The Truth Mirage, Rules for Christians Radicals, Liberalism vs. Conservatism, and his latest book Shattering the Truth Mirage and has a background as an international missionary, pastor, radio host, worldview trainer, and entrepreneur. Freddy is a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Communication, and holds MDiv and DMin degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a popular speaker, particularly on the topic of worldview and its practical implications for the Christian life. He lives in Tallahassee, FL, with his wife Deborah.

You may also contact Freddy at Leadership Speakers Bureau to schedule him for speaking or leadership engagements.

To set up an appointment to speak to a Literary Agent:
Email: Alfredo Baguio
Call: (702) 605-4354