by jimwalton » Thu Sep 17, 2015 10:24 am
And yet there are areas and disciplines where the Bible does not speak, and so we must also respect the authority of truth with regard to history, science, jurisprudence, etc. that lies outside of the purview of Biblical revelation. For instance, the Bible says nothing about the history of the Americas, which cannot then be proved "by the Word of God." So also many areas in science. Though the Bible tells us some things (God created the material world; what God created has order, function, purpose, regularity, etc.), most of what science has to say to us (such as the structure and function of the atom, volcanology, seismology, chemistry, etc.) again lies outside of the scope of Biblical revelation, which is telling us of the nature of God, his contract with humanity, and his plan of salvation. I agree with Wycliffe as far as it goes and with the intent of the context of his statements, but not as a universal decree.
And yet there are areas and disciplines where the Bible does not speak, and so we must also respect the authority of truth with regard to history, science, jurisprudence, etc. that lies outside of the purview of Biblical revelation. For instance, the Bible says nothing about the history of the Americas, which cannot then be proved "by the Word of God." So also many areas in science. Though the Bible tells us some things (God created the material world; what God created has order, function, purpose, regularity, etc.), most of what science has to say to us (such as the structure and function of the atom, volcanology, seismology, chemistry, etc.) again lies outside of the scope of Biblical revelation, which is telling us of the nature of God, his contract with humanity, and his plan of salvation. I agree with Wycliffe as far as it goes and with the intent of the context of his statements, but not as a universal decree.