Part 7 of this Christians and Science series is a summary of the six previous parts of the discussion.

In Part 1, we discussed how the average Christian could become conversant in science.  This requires developing a vocabulary of basic science related terms.  These basic terms include science, experimental science, forensic science, scientific consensus, and naturalism.  It is important to understand how the scientific consensus operates and that naturalistic is the presupposition of the scientific consensus.

In Part 2, we discussed general revelation and its limitations.  We discussed special revelation – the Bible.   We learned that common grace is present in secular scientists and that common grace allows many of the findings of secular science to be useful.  The Limits of Knowledge Illustration shows how the much more knowledge is available to Christians than to non-believers.  This illustration helps to explain how Christians can have a high view of science, yet are able to see beyond the limits of the scientific consensus.

In Part 3, we discussed the relationship between faith and science.  Science and faith are both important, but very different, elements of Christian life.  Faith deals with the invisible; faith in God’s promise is necessary for salvation and to walk in a righteous manner.  Science deals with correct interpretation of the visible.

In Part 4, we discussed the “conflict between science and the Bible.” In this part of the series we examined how Christians can hold to the literal view of creation and have a high view of science.  The Views of Science Illustration shows how of Christians can have a larger view of science than non-believers.

In Part 5, we discussed the primary topics within the science and Bible discussion. The three primary topics within the science and Bible discussion are geology, biology, and astronomy.  There are innumerable subtopics within each of the three primary topics of the science and Bible discussion.

In Part 6, we looked at Theistic Evolution (Evolutionary Creation).  Theistic evolution is presented as an answer to the “conflict between science and the Bible.”  However, it is not.  Theistic Evolution is just as unacceptable to secularists as Intelligent Design, Day-Age, and the Traditional views of creation.  Theistic Evolution is also unacceptable to Christians who subscribe to the perspicuity of scripture and a plain reading of scripture.

Christians should not fear science.  Christians need to become conversant in science.  They need to understand that special revelation (the Bible) has given Christians a much larger view of science than is available to the non-believer.  Christians can have a high view of science and of those who are part of the scientific community.  Christians need to know that the presupposition of naturalism limits the scientific consensus.  Finally, Christians need to know that theistic evolution (Evolutionary Creation) is not an answer.