This presentation examines evidence from the “Exploration Fallout” which translates to science, and is surprisingly one of several impact areas that Jesus has had over the last 2000 years. Looking at the history of science in the common era, we find the greatest influence comes from Jesus followers! The passion to understand how God shaped this world and His creation, ignited the exploration fallout we see today, from Astrophysics to Biology! This Christian influence is deeply embedded in the sciences yet the progression to secular evolutionary theory, to name one, over the last century and a half has darkened the original intent of explorers to learn and study the mind of God, rather than secular humanism that will not allow a divine footprint in the door today.

Watch the class presentation on this topic:

Overview Notes from the Presentation

PERSON OF INTEREST
The Exploration Fallout

Objection:

Christians are opposed to science

Quick answer to the objection:

Christianity is not anti-science – but it is anti-scientism

Scientism is the belief that science is the only way to know anything, and holds ultimate authority
This view believes that it is only the five senses, and through experimentation using these senses, that we can come to know the truth about anything
This view denies the possibility of the supernatural and shuns anyone that holds a spiritual or metaphysical view of the world

“We have begun to realize that for its very birth science owed a great deal to Christianity.”

–Professor Diogenes Allen, Princeton University

Seven major science “igniters”

Jesus followers ignited science in the common era…

Igniter #1: Jesus followers believed matter good and worthy of study

Igniter #2: Jesus followers believed their world was the product of a singular, orderly, rational God

Igniter #3: Jesus followers believed God was distinct from His Creation

Igniter #4: Jesus followers were motivated by their. desire to worship the God of the Universe

Igniter #5: Jesus followers believed they could better understand God by observing His activity in the “book of nature”

Igniter #6: Jesus followers pursued physical and intellectual investigation of their environment

Igniter #7: Jesus followers created a place to advance the sciences

Christians are the fathers and founders of all the major areas of science: (the number indicates the total disciplines in that field Christians founded, for example biology, chemistry, physics etc.)

Scientific disciplines – 87

Mathematics – 20

Scientific philosophies – 12

Regional sciences – 29

Evolutionary theory – 29

Electricity, Energy and Electromagnetics – 15

Driving and Flying – 5

Computer sciences – 8

Engineering and Technology – 8

Other science related fields – 16

Skeptics will say…

“I only believe what scientists tell me”

Christians can say…

“The Science Fathers agree with the Church Fathers!

Therefore, we should also believe what they have to say about Jesus!!!”

The Education and Exploration Fallout – Conclusion

Impossible to erase Jesus’ impact from history
The influence of Jesus’ Followers in education and the sciences has been preserved throughout the Common Era…
in every language
In every culture
In every genre
No one else in all of history had this kind of impact on education and science

But, that’s not the only impact Jesus has had on humanity in the fallout…

Going Deeper:

personofinterestbook.com

Reflection: Memorization Practice

To practice your memorization skills, and to improve your Biblical knowledge, practice memorizing the following things…

Review the “Big Picture” of the Bible for both the Old and New Testaments (see notes from session two) Practice memorizing the main topic of each of the 12 points in order to tell the “story” in a couple of minutes.
What are the three main fuses we’ve looked at so far, pointing to our Person of Interest? Pick one or two examples from each fuse.
What are the fallout areas we have looked at so far (from session six through nine)? Pick one or two examples for each fallout area.

Bible Study

(Review answers will be posted during the week so you can have a “leader’s guide” for your own studies)

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

NOTE: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for “Discussion” or “Going Deeper” questions.

Read Acts chapter 24 then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

Paul before Felix

1. Read Chapter 24:1-21 with your table group

In the first part of this chapter, Paul is brought before Governor Felix:

a. Who came down to bring charges against Paul, and what do we know about them?

b. How did the prosecutor start his accusations against Paul to Felix, and what were the accusations he brought? Were the accusations true?

c. What was Paul’s response to Felix, and how did his approach differ from the prosecution?

d. Discuss: Paul ultimately got to the main point he wanted to make, what was that? (Hint, you can use verse 21) What does Paul model here that is important for us as Christians today?

2. Read Chapter 24:22-27 with your table group

In the second part of this chapter, Felix has ulterior motives for Paul:

a. What did Felix say to delay making a decision on Paul’s case; how was Paul then treated and why?

b. Felix and his wife Drusilla wanted to hear Paul speak. What did Paul say that frightened Felix, and why?

c. Going Deeper: What can we learn from the Bible, and from outside sources, about the following people and sect: Drusilla, Porcius Festus, and “the Way”?

d. Discuss: Should preachers like Paul, be more sensitive to people like Felix seeking to hear about Christianity, and not talk about things like judgment? Why, or why not?

Join us next week as we continue our “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” and a study in the book of Acts!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15