There are many ways by which knowledge and truth can be found from the perspective of a biblical Christian worldview. Scientific method is one of the methods. It refers to the process by which truth is found by putting more emphasis on the reasoning and experimentation of the variables under study.
For example, it is important for human beings to understand the evolution process. It is systematic as it involves various steps to be able to obtain the truth.
An observation of nature is made. This involves identifying a given problem to be studied. The scientist then proposes an explanation for that observation. The explanation is then used to forecast or make predictions. The scientist waits to see if the prediction will be correct or not.
If the prediction has failed, then the hypothesis is rejected. The scientist has various options after this observation. He may modify the hypothesis in order to make some corrections and leave the other parts unchanged and therefore make a new prediction or reject the entire hypothesis so that a new one can be made (Otto, 1997). Many experiments should be repeated from time to time before a conclusion is finally made.
The scientist may be suspicious if he keeps on finding negative results that are not consistent with other experiments and therefore require him to keep on doing research as he cannot rely on the results to make a valid conclusion (Nigel, 2006). However, it is not always possible to obtain an absolute truth by this method because it involves so many assumptions.
The scientific method can be used as a way of seeking knowledge and truth especially by the Christians in trying to explain the existence of God who created the heavens and the earth. God has given us brains which can be used to increase our understanding of nature.
People may not understand who created the things that we are trying to experiment, but science has revealed that there is more that has that needs to be discovered. Many scientists may not give credit to God who has expanded their thinking unless they are sure that God exists.
The study of the sun and other heavenly bodies, has revealed atoms that are beyond human understanding. This is sufficient evidence that superior intelligence exists in whoever had created the earth and the things that are inside it. This has made many scientists to believe that there is a God who they have always referred to known to be the force of nature.
Scientists have revealed that there is a large vacant space that appears as a solid thing when viewed from the world even if we try to use powerful magnifiers. The sky appears to be blue, but nothing is in the sky, it is just our eyes that see the color. Indeed, through the scientific experiments, it still confirms how mighty our God is and that He controls the universe in a perfect way so that man can know the real truth that there is a Creator.
There are still many things that scientists have yet to discover as they try to understand nature. Even some of the theorists of evolution have come to believe that indeed God created man. Therefore scientific method has already revealed some truths about creation and existence of God.
There are other ways of seeking knowledge and truth. From a Christian perspective, we have the faith method. This provides a sure method for anyone seeking to know the truth about something. It can reveal truths about life and the existence of God; the Creator of all things.
It can answer some questions which the scientific method is not able to answer. If one believes that God exists, he or she does not need to doubt, and he can arrive at the truth from what the creation has shown. One can have a purpose to live if he or she believes that there is a God and He shall reward those who do according to His will.
He also cares about his people and therefore pople can trust in Him and live their lives comfortably. The truth will set free any one who trusts in God. Otherwise, there is no truth without believing.
The five senses can be used to learn the truth. This involves hearing, touching, smelling and seeing which can reveal some truths of existence even though they needto be combined. Multiple witnesses can also be used to reveal the truth as it provides sufficient evidence and proof about existence of things. Using one of the senses may not be sufficient to provide enough evidence of truth.
In addition to other senses, intuition can be used to get knowledge of the truth. Conscience can also reveal to a person on whether something is right or wrong. One has a high chance of knowing the truth if he or she relies on his or her conscience. Most of the things that we feel to be right are actually found out to be true.
This may be from the way our parents have taught us. We can also test general premises by getting a counter example from the extremes so that to arrive at the truth. If we are able to find a counter example, then the premise is taken to be false.
We can also learn the truth by looking at nature. Nature can be compared with the scientific discoveries. If there is sufficient evidence observed in nature, then the truth can be found out. We can also observe the fruits to know whether something is true or false.
For example Jesus had said that that we can look at the fruits of the prophets in order to know if what they are claiming to be is true or false. If their works are contrary to what they say, then they are false prophets.
The authority that one has can also determine the extent to which we can believe him or her. People in authority are assumed to know much and therefore there is always some truth in what they are saying. Finally, there are some events that are unusual in life and therefore will happen to people who will believe that there is some truth in them.
From the bible, there are many servants of God who had visions in broad daylight that made them to believe that it was God who was speaking to them or trying to reveal something that was important in their lives. It is true that anything unusual has some truth in it.
Human nature influences the way in a person seeks Knowledge and Truth. People have unique characters in the way they perceive things. Human beings have presuppositions and perceptions about different things (Collins, 2003).
From a Christianity perspective, arguments about the different beliefs that we have, become very complex as it is not easy to convince a person to change his or her belief. A Christian may not be encouraged to discuss about God with someone who does not believe in the Bible as the word of God.
Therefore, such discussions of things between people with different perspectives may not be fruitful due to resistance from each of the parties. If a person has preconceived ideas in the discussions or arguments, then the truth cannot be found.
Human beings try to isolate particular beliefs and study them at different times before moving to the next. This limits the chances of knowing the truth as there are so many beliefs that have not been studied. These beliefs are then influenced by our background beliefs which control our view of other beliefs under study.
We cannot know the truth if we continue holding the background beliefs from time to time. By human nature, some of these background beliefs are not isolated from our thinking (Loftus, 2008).
It is impossible to analyze all our beliefs at the same time due to several limitations that we have. There are some childhood experiences that made us believe in some things and this has affected the way we seek knowledge and truth.
There are so many things that we have assumed to be so obvious that we do not take time to study and check whether or not there is some truth in them. Unless we change some of the beliefs that we have, we may find it difficult to get the truth.
References
Collins, J. (2003). Science & faith: friends or foes? Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Loftus, J. (2008). Debunking christianity: Presuppositions, assumptions, worldviews and control beliefs. Web.
Nigel, B. (2006). The limitations of scientific truth: Why Science can’t answer life’s ultimate questions. New York, NY: Kregel Publications.
Otto, J. (1997). Scientific facts and christian faith: How are they compatible? Web.