Faith and Science: Finishing Definitions
During Faith and Science on Monday, the students were allowed to continue collaborating in their groups (2 groups of 4) to decide on their final working definitions of faith and science. After 30 minutes or so, the groups went to the board and recorded their definitions for faith and for science. They then made the effort to assimilate their definitions. We all recognized that within different contexts, different meanings of the terms are appropriate. The definitions below reflect what we will use as our default definitions of these terms as we debate the interaction between the two. If we choose to refer to variations on these definitions, we will be required to explicitly say so. Otherwise, this is what we mean:
Faith is . . .
The belief in the supernatural or God intervening or being involved in the lives of humans and our world (in ways science has been able to explain AND those that cannot be fully explained by science).
Christian Faith is . . .
Absolute belief, trust and loyalty to God and His promises through Christ to salvation.
I should note that one group wanted a more general definition of faith while the other thought it more appropriate to use a definition that reflects the way THIS class will be using the term. Our perspective is primarily how the Christian faith interacts with science. We decided to use both definitions, added the term "Christian" to the second group's defined term.
Science is . . .
a systematic method for pursuing and acquiring knowledge of aspects of our universe, formulated through human reason.
Beginning next class we will begin studying logic and reason, laying down the specific rules for logic, and analyzing arguments.