SCIENCE Scientists and the Study of Scripture Theology and Science Christianity versus Science

1. SCIENCEScientists and the Study of ScriptureTheology and ScienceChristianity versus Science

2. Key Scholars • Rodney Stark • Alvin Plantinga • Alvin J. Schmidt

3. Scholastics and the Copernican Revolution

4. Robert Grosseteste (1168-1253) • Studied at Oxford, taught at the University of Paris, became Chancellor of Oxford and became Bishop of Lincoln. • Contributions to optics, physics, tides, and realized that rainbows involve refracted light. • “when one controls his observations by eliminating any other possible cause of the effect, he may arrive at an experimental universal of provisional truth.”

5. Student of Oxford and later, Faculty of the University of Paris. • Introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals and new methods of calculation to European universities. • Introduced the theory that all planets and cosmic bodies are spherical. John of Sacrobosco (1195-1256)

6. Educated in Italy at the University of Padua, taught at German Universities, became master of theology at he University of Paris, and appointed Bishop of Regensburg. • Contributions to botany, geography, astronomy and chemistry. • Inspired colleagues and students to not merely accept classical scholarship, but to challenge received wisdom to seek reliable observations Albertus Magnus (1200-1280)

7. Attended Oxford at 13 and eventually became master, lecturing on Aristotle. • Displayed knowledge of many fields from mathematics, to celestial bodies, to light refraction. • Worked closely with Robert Grosseteste on his theory of experimentation. Roger Bacon (1214-1294)

8. Campanus of Norvara (1220-1296) • Served as chaplain to four successive popes. • Considered one of the greatest mathematicians in the world. • Translated Ecuclid’sElementswhich became a standard textbook for European medieval universities. • Also Translated Ptolemy’s planetary theory, the Almagest.

9. Studied at the University of Paris and later returned as a faculty member. • Formulated the first geometrical analysis of the rainbow in his laboratory. • Used spherical flasks and glass globes filled with water to display the refraction and reflection of light in a single water drop. Theodoric of Freiberg (1250-1310)

10. Thomas Bradwardine (1290-1349) • Educated at Oxford, was a professor in Merton College and eventually became chancellor of the university. • Left Oxford to serve as confessor to Edward IV, and later elected Archbishop of Canterbury. • Led a group known as the Oxford Calculators, pioneering formulas and quantifying theorems in kinetics and dynamics. • First to formulate the mean spread theorem.

11. William of Ockham (1295-1349) • Studied at Oxford • Explanations should “not be multiplied beyond necessity.” • It was believed that angels pushed heavenly bodies in motion, but he stated that in the frictionless vacuum of space, once God set the planets in motion, they would remain in motion.

12. Jean Buridan (1300-1358) • Student and later faculty at the University of Paris. • Secular priest as opposed to joining a religious order. • Had developed the concept of inertia as well as his property of impetus, a body overcoming air resistance and gravity with speed.

13. Nicole d’Oresme (1325-1382) • Attended and later taught at University of Paris. In 1364, was appointed dean of the Cathedral of Rouen, and later Bishop of Lisieux. • Proposed that the motion of the earth is imparted to all objects on the earth or close by, including the atmosphere.

14. Albert of Saxony (1320-1390) • Sent to the University of Prague and then University of Paris where he earned his masters. Later, he joined faculty at the University of Paris. • Bishop of Halberstadt • Most important contribution was a summary of the work of all his predecessors in proofs and propositions in Physics.

15. Pierre d’Ailly (1351-1420) • Educated at the University of Paris and joined the university’s faculty before serving as Chancellor. • Was then Bishop of Le Puy, Noyonand then Cambrai before becoming Cardinal. • Published Image of the World, a work of cosmology which included a calculation of the circumference of the earth. • Also spurred interest in the relationship between the earth and the stars.

16. Became Bishop of Brixen and then elevated to Cardinal. • Educated at the Italian University of Padua. • “whether a man is on the earth, or the sun, or some other star, it will always seem to him that the position he occupies is the motionless center, and that all other things are in motion.” Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464)

17. Student at the Italian University of Padua. • His theory put the sun in the middle of the solar system, expressed all in mathematics. • Through geometry, he placed the dates of Easter and the solstices. Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543)

18. Christianity is not only compatible with science – it created it.

21. EDUCATION • The Influence of Religion in the Creation of Universities • Scripture Promotes Knowledge • Faith and Educational Attainment

22. Key Scholars • William Jeynes • Perry Glanzer • Fred Beuttler • Rodney Stark

26. The most fundamental key to the rise of western civilization has been the dedication of so many of its most brilliant minds to the pursuit of knowledge…And the basis for this commitment to knowledge was the Christian commitment to theology. Rodney Stark (forthcoming)

27. Universities, like cathedrals and parliaments, are a product of the Middle Ages. Charles Haskins • Most of what became medieval universities had long been schools imparting religious culture, maintained by cathedrals and monasteries, many dating from the sixth century. Rodney Stark

28. The concept of moral education has always been a crucial underpinning of the American notion of a virtuous republic. Throughout its development, American leaders in education have strenuously sought to condemn mere intellectual training. -Yulish (1980)

29. The work of public education is ... to a large degree, a piece of religious work. Ellwood Cubberley (1909, p. 68)

30. GEORGE WASHINGTON (Farewell Address, 1796) “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should subvert these great pillars of human happiness.”

31. HORACE MANN “Devoid of religious principles and religious affections, the race can never fall so low that it may sink still lower.”

32. FRIEDRICH FROEBEL, FOUNDER OF THE KINDERGARTEN, FROM THE EDUCATION OF MAN. “And God-likeness is and ought to be man’s highest aim in thought and deed.”

33. THEODORE ROOSEVELT “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is more important than a college education.”

34. PRAYER REMOVED FROM AMERICAN SCHOOLS IN 1962-1963Are these claims credible? • ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT SUDDENLY PLUMMETS • UNWED PREGNANCY RATE SKYROCKETS • ILLEGAL DRUG USAGE SURGES • JUVENILE CRIME SKYROCKETS • SCHOOL BEVAVIOR DETERIORATES

35. Evidence for the Bible • William Jeynes meta-analysis study (2010). Results indicate that increased Bible knowledge is associated with higher levels of student academic achievement and positive behavioral patterns. • William Jeynes examines Bible literacy and concludes that students with highest level of Bible literacy also had the highest ranking in test and grade results, and the best school behavior.

36. HOSPITALS, HEALTH, BENEVOLENCE • Hospital movement • AIDS Reduction in Africa • Faith-based Approaches to Social Problems • Disaster Relief • Generosity • Civic Engagement

37. Key Scholars • Arthur C. Brooks • Harold G. Koenig • Jeff Levin • Robert Putnam • Marc Musick • Mark Regnerus • Edward Green • Jenny Trinitapoli

46. HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY • Slavery • Abortion • Religious Persecution

47. Key Scholars • Brian Grim • Roger Finke • Allen Hertzke • Eric Metaxas • Rodney Stark