Review and critical analysis of More Than a Theory. Presented at the RTB group in Atlanta, April 2010. This presentation surfaces the key ideas and arguments in this book, and provides news on how RTB is proactively attempting to build relationships.
Human-AI Co-Creation of Worked Examples for Programming Classes
Review and analysis of "More than a Theory" 201004
1. Review and Critical Analysis:
More than a Theory (2009) by
Hugh Ross
Presented by Mark Tabladillo Ph.D.
Atlanta, GA
April 29, 2010
3. About Hugh Ross
Physics and Astronomy training
Researched quasi-stellar objects
(“quasars”) at Caltech
Founded science-faith think tank Reasons
to Believe in 1986
Loves the outdoors, hiking, trail running
and photography
Wife is Kathy, and has two sons
4. Hugh Ross’ Philosophy
God’s revelations in Scripture and nature
do not, will not, and cannot contradict
Motivated to communicate this message
as broadly and clearly as possible
Leverages books, articles, podcasts,
interviews, debates, and presentations to
communicate his message
Treats comments and questions with
respect
5. William Lane Craig
on Ross’ Theology
Critique of Beyond the Cosmos
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from
http://ldolphin.org/craig/index.html (version with Craig’s diagrams intact)
Response and Resolution
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from
http://www.reasons.org/physics/constants-physics/philosophia-christi
6. Hugh Ross Reader William Lane Craig
I recently read Dr. Hugh You can find my critique of Hugh’s
views in “Hugh Ross’s Extra-
Ross' books, The Creator Dimensional Deity,” Philosophia Christi
21 (1998): 17-32; “Hugh Ross’s Extra-
and the Cosmos, and Beyond Dimensional Deity: A Review Article,”
the Cosmos. He explains Journal of the Evangelical Theological
Society 42 (1999): 293-304; and in
much of God's interactions Time and Eternity (Crossway, 2001).
with humanity and our Yes, I find it very problematic.
spiritual decisions through
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from
an extradimensional http://www.reasonablefaith.org/site/N
framework. ews2?page=NewsArticle&id=8045
Extradimensional God
7. About Christians in Science
Based in England
”In spite of Ross' skepticism towards
evolution, the success of his old earth
advocacy amongst evangelicals has made
him the bête noire of the YECS [young-
earth creation science] community”
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from http://www.cis.org.uk/resources/links/yecs-links
8. How I came to read More than a
Theory
Officer Training Course
This book is the current key text required for the RTB local
chapter (or network) Officer Training Course. I had previously
not heard of Hugh Ross or RTB until I had attended a local
RTB group meeting in Fall 2009.
However, the conclusions of old-earth creationism match my
own conclusions on 1) the age of the universe, which in the
1980s, I came to believe as being that age, and 2) my
skepticism with macroevolution, as I have (for example)
interacted with authors of articles in American Scientist (since
I am a full life member of Sigma Xi). These previous life
experiences make my personal conclusions more in line with
the RTB creation model as contrasted with the other three
positions mentioned in More than a Theory.
9. After Critical Analysis:
Personal Resolution
Sign the RTB Statement of Faith and
support the local chapter
Encourage the local chapter to promote
education on both science and Christian
theology
Promote the concept of “Missional Basis
for Science” I decided to
provide the
conclusion at the
beginning,
because the slides
in this presentation
might cause some
mental discomfort.
10. Outline
Descriptive Applying the
Responses
Review of Dual
from RTB
More than a Revelation
Competitors
Theory Model
12. Do you think human beings developed from earlier
species or not? (Harris Poll)
60
50
40
PERCENTAGE
30 March 1994
June 2005
20
10
0
Yes No Not sure/Decline to answer
13. Do you believe apes and man have a common ancestry
or not? (Harris Poll)
60
50
40
March 1994
PERCENTAGE
30
June 2005
20
10
0
Yes No Not sure/Decline to answer
14. Scoring the Models (Chapters 2, 16)
Position Voice
Naturalism Richard Dawkins
Young-Earth Institute for Creation Research Individuals in each of
the last three rows
Answers in Genesis (Creation Museum) could believe in the
inerrant and infallible
Bible, and could
Theistic Evolution BioLogos Foundation subscribe to God's
dual revelation in
nature and the Bible,
and still promote a
RTB Creation Reasons to Believe different creation
model.
See http://www.reasons.org/resources/predictions
15. Testing the First Amendment
Epperson v. Arkansas (1968)
McLean v. Arkansas (1981) Only young-earth creationism has
lost in court (in the United States).
Aguillard v.Treen (1983)
Edwards v. Aguillard (1987)
16. Model Testing
Give a wider and more detailed view
Make better sense of established data
Provide a more reasonable and consistent
explanation
Result in fewer unexpected anomalies and
gaps
Prove more successful in anticipating or
predicting future findings
17. Biblical Structure of RTB Model
Dual Revelation
Detectability Creation
of the Divine Purposes
Creation Chronology
18. RTB: Simple Sciences First
Simple = Phenomena well
defined by mathematical I used fireworks graphics
for the discussion questions
equations because fireworks are both
explosive and beautiful.
Defined by causal relationships
Therefore – “philosophical and
theological conclusions may be
more easily drawn from the
simple sciences than from the
complex” (Page 68)
Discussion Question for People at Round Tables: What do you think about this statement?
In the interactive responses, some both agreed and disagreed with this statement. My partial
disagreement is that the theology of the Bible is not typically argued through mathematics. My
later question on good theology surfaced that we need a broader discussion of the how God
builds arguments both in the Bible and our personal lives too. The term "argument" is central to
this organization since it promotes reasons to believe in Christianity.
19. RTB Model Elements
Cosmos (Chapter 7)
Galaxies, Stars and Planets (Chapter 8)
Life’s Beginning and Extraterrestrial
Homes (Chapter 9)
Life’s History (Chapter 10)
Advanced Life (Chapter 11)
Origin and History of Humanity (Chapter
12)
The “Why” Question Test (Chapter 13)
20. RTB Major Science Claims
Anthropic Principle (Chapter 7)
Uniqueness of the Milky Way (Chapter 8)
God prepared the Earth (Chapters 9, 10)
Not all animals purely physical (Chapter
11)
People are intellectual (Chapter 12)
Naturalistic rationale for destruction and
catastrophe (Chapter 13)
21. Outline
Descriptive Applying the
Responses
Review of Dual
from RTB
More than a Revelation
Competitors
Theory Model
24. Dual Revelation Model
Nature Bible
Science Theology
"Revelation" simply means what God made to be revealed. I agree that both nature and the Bible
are revelations from God. Though, in theological context, one of the most historically debated books
of the Bible is "Revelation". We should be therefore cautious in separating speculation from fact.
25. Science differs from advocacy. Advocacy is a
statement. Science asks a question, where we
could be genuinely surprised by the answer.
What is “science”? Some people assume they are doing science (or
research) but in fact are doing advocacy. I do
not believe there is anything inherently immoral
Represented by or unethical with advocacy, but we should clarify
the four models the difference.
Models Ross contrasts in
More than a
Theory.
Difference between science and
advocacy?
Discussion Question for People at each Round
Table:
What is good science?
I believe the audience had the best overall clarity of
expression on this question.
26. Ross on Scientific Method
“While the scientific method doesn’t
guarantee objectivity and accuracy, it does
minimize the effects of oversight, personal
bias, and presuppositions… The need for
ongoing adjustment and refinement never
ends.” (Page 51)
27. Only 8% members of the Scientific
Research Society agreed that 'peer
review works well as it is.' (Chubin
and Hackett, 1990; p.192)
Chubin, D. R. and Hackett E. J., 1990, Peerless Science, Peer Review
and U.S. Science Policy; New York, State University of New York
Press.
28. "A recent U.S. Supreme Court
decision and an analysis of the peer
review system substantiate
complaints about this fundamental
aspect of scientific research."
(Horrobin, 2001)
Horrobin, D., 2001, "Something Rotten at the Core of Science?" Trends in
Pharmacological Sciences,Vol. 22, No. 2, February 2001. Also at
http://www.whale.to/vaccine/sci.html and
http://post.queensu.ca/~forsdyke/peerrev4.htm (both Web pages were accessed
on February 1, 2010
30. What is “theology”?
The "models" of theology are represented by the
various denominations (for example) within orthodox
Models Christianity. We see this diversity in the people who
participate with RTB.
Difference between theology and
advocacy? What is the difference between
researching theology and the Bible and
advocating a denominational position?
Discussion question for People at each Round Table:
What is good theology?
After giving people a chance to discuss this question, I allowed each table shared with
everyone. Some concluded that they did not have clarity on how to express this issue, and
many concluded that a lot of what they personally do is advocate rather than study (or
research) theology.
I encouraged people to study this topic further on their own. As an easy segue, I believe we
can answer this question based on our own personal testimony. Specifically, I encouraged
studying two concepts: miracles and the Holy Spirit. I don't think we had any Pentecostals in
the audience, but the Holy Spirit in my mind is the living connection we have with the now
ancient creeds. We can research how (for example) the Bible came to be canonized and
reach the same conclusion.
31. Staying out of the Conflict
American Scientific Affiliation
“the ASA does not take a position when
there is honest disagreement between
Christians on an issue.”
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from http://www.asa3.org/ASA/faithASA.html
32. Staying out of the Conflict
Ravi Zacharias Ministries
“RZIM does not have an official ministry
position on the age of the earth. The
focus of RZIM is apologetics and
evangelism, and thus we do not address
particular questions about creation,
though we are committed to defending
theism against naturalism.”
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from
http://www.rzim.org/usa/usfv/tabid/436/articleid/171/cbmoduleid/1561/default.
aspx
33. Staying out of the Conflict
Ravi Zacharias Ministries
Ajoy Varghese, Asst. Director (Ministries),
India – report from Atlanta visit
“Two scientists thanked me for opening their
eyes to the richness of God’s word. One of
them had doubts about the
creation/evolution debate. After discussing
some basic aspects of the issue, I directed
him to the writings of JP Moreland, Hugh
Ross etc.”
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from
http://www.rzim.org/justthinkingfv/tabid/602/articleid/156/cbmoduleid/1480/default
.aspx
34. Outline
Descriptive Applying the
Responses
Review of Dual
from RTB
More than a Revelation
Competitors
Theory Model
35. Websites analyzing Hugh Ross or
Reasons to Believe
Organization Category URL
American Scientific Noncommittal http://asa3.org/
Affiliation
Answers in Genesis Young-Earth http://answersingenesis.org
Apologetics 315 Sympathetic to RTB http://apologetics315.blogsp
ot.com
BioLogos Foundation Theistic Evolution http://biologos.org
ChristianAnswers.net Young-Earth http://christiananswers.net
Creation Science Young-Earth http://drdino.org
Evangelism
Institute for Creation Young-Earth http://icr.org
Research
The Young Earth Young-Earth http://creationists.org
Creation Club
36. Hugh Ross Critiques
"If the Earth were one half Because the Earth's orbit is
ELLIPTICAL, its distance from the
of one percent closer to sun varies by quite a bit more than
one half of one per cent, yet it is
the sun, water on Earth NOT the case that all the water
would boil off. If the Earth either boils off or freezes.
were one half of one
The distance varies by over 3% in a
percent farther from the given year, yet waters don't boil or
sun, all the water would freeze. The distance between Earth
and Sun is near 92 million miles.
freeze." The change in distance due to the
orbit of the Earth around the Sun
is around 3 million miles.
This chart represents a
sample critique of the
science -- I commented
Earth’s Orbit
that I do not have severe
concern about this specific
Ross claim because I
accept the entire body of
evidence supporting the
anthropic principle.
38. Dialogue between RTB and
BioLogos (January 2010)
Clarify for each other our beliefs about and
positions on various aspects of creation and
evolution. We wanted to establish areas of
agreement on science, theology, and philosophy of
ministry as well as major differences with the
understanding that secondary differences would
require additional discussion at a later date.
Outline the means by which at least some of the
more significant differences between us could
potentially be resolved.
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from
http://theangrygnome.posterous.com/report-on-biologos-reasons-to-
believe-dialogu
39. Dialogue between RTB and
BioLogos (January 2010)
Set up public forums that will allow both Christians
and non-Christians to learn about our respective
positions on specific creation and evolution issues,
observe our dialogue, and then engage in
conversation with us. We agreed that the emphasis in
these events must be on education and discussion,
but this does not rule out sincere debate.
Consider how our interactions with one another
might model for the Christian community at large
how to approach differences of perspective and
interpretation.
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from
http://theangrygnome.posterous.com/report-on-biologos-reasons-to-
believe-dialogu
40. BioLogos Critique of Hugh Ross
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from http://biologos.org/resources/hugh-ross/
41. BioLogos Critique of Hugh Ross
Strong concordists, of which old-earth creationists are the
best example, believe that God placed modern scientific
ideas in the Bible, sometimes using secret language that
could not be understood by the original audience and
even the actual writers of the texts.
BioLogos rejects this viewpoint because we believe that
God worked within the worldview, culture and language
of the Biblical authors and since they would not have
known, for example, about heliocentricity or the Big
Bang, we do not think that God encoded those ideas in
the scripture.
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from http://biologos.org/resources/leading-figures
42. About Answers in Genesis (AIG)
Young-Earth Creationism
Produced the Creation Museum
Noah’s Ark Problem:
Supports rapid subspeciation (as opposed
to unrestricted speciation) based on
“Kind” in Genesis (Retrieved April 27, 2010 from
http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/cfol/ch2-species.asp
http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/feedback/2006/0908.asp
http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/FIT/appendix3.asp)
43. Dialogue between RTB and AIG
(and other young-earthers)
RTB has met AIG in Dallas area
seminaries 4-5 times annually
“Ultimately, no significant progress was
made because the young-earthers are
committed to the supreme authority of
Scripture, whereas the old-earthers are
committed to the authority of the views
of the current majority of scientists.”
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-
ham/2010/03/01/when-compromise-meets-compromise/
44. Dialogue between RTB and AIG
(and other young-earthers)
“The young-earthers wanted to discuss the
assumptions used to interpret the scientific
evidence, whereas the old-earthers wanted
to avoid that discussion, especially in relation
to geology and astronomy and the question
of the age of the creation.”
“For these reasons these young-earth/old-
earth discussions finally stalled in 2008.”
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-
ham/2010/03/01/when-compromise-meets-compromise/
45. “In-House” Recent Debate
Reasons to Believe vs. Answers in Genesis
See http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/2010/04/hugh-ross-vs-jason-
lisle-debate.html
46. Answers in Genesis (Feb 2010)
We have repeatedly stated in books, on this
website, and in videos that holding to the young-
earth view is not a requirement for the free gift
of salvation offered to us through Jesus’s sacrificial
death on the cross.
We certainly believe that a person can be a
Christian and hold to the Reasons to Believe
model (progressive creationism), the framework
hypothesis, theistic evolution, or any other
harmonistic view out there.
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2010/02/26/feedback-which-is-worse
47. Answers in Genesis Critique of
Reasons to Believe (Feb 2010)
However, our concern is that a person who
does this is being completely arbitrary in
their hermeneutic (method of
interpretation).
Dr. Lisle’s statement does not mean that Dr.
Ross or Dr. Kaiser are unbelievers, but
demonstrates that the big bang is entirely
inconsistent with the words of Scripture.
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2010/02/26/feedback-which-is-worse
48. Ken Ham (AIG) critiques RTB and
BioLogos
“Compromise God’s Word in Genesis with the
secular beliefs of the day (e.g., big bang, billions of
years, death and disease before man, no global
Flood, etc.)”
“They both feel that young-earth creationists are
a serious problem in the church and our views
are a huge barrier to effective evangelism”
“Their combined efforts will continue to lead
Christians astray, especially professors in
seminaries and Christian universities”
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-
ham/2010/03/01/when-compromise-meets-compromise/
49. Millard Erickson Makes Peace
(Two anecdotes along the way)
Exercise caution when working in another
field
Each discipline can learn from the others
Writing benefits from reviews
Apologetics, however, requires a team
approach
Retrieved April 27, 2010 from http://www.reasons.org/physics/constants-
physics/philosophia-christi
50. RTB (2001) MarkTab
5. The Bible is primarily 5. The Bible is primarily
organized around a central organized around a central
theological purpose:
theological purpose:
God communicates His plan
God communicates His for human redemption from a
plan for human redemption fallen nature through His Son,
from a fallen nature Jesus Christ. Likewise, the
universe is designed for a
through His Son, Jesus central purpose, namely the
Christ. Likewise, the glory of God.
universe is designed for a Isaiah 43:7
central purpose, namely the Psalm 19:1-2
I believe this issue
is important and
benefit of humans. Revelation 4:11
directly aligns with
a missional
framework.
MarkTab Recommendation
51. We should decide what science and theology ideas are more
or less important.
Because the Bible
MarkTab Analysis and Viewpoint
allows or permits a
specific scientific or
theological idea
does NOT mean it
When communicating science or theology, we
is promoting it.
need to be clear what is speculation and what
Study and Prioritize Ideas
Keep in mind how
is considered fact (and why, when possible).
wise scholars have
historically
Speculation versus Fact
provided various Public communicators have a higher clarity standard
interpretations the because their work outruns and outlives them. People
book of Revelation. evaluating media work are not just evaluating the
Price of Leadership
author(s) but also are weighing the consequences of
how the work would be received by a general
audience.
Biblical Permission versus Promotion
Philosophy (World View) Matters in Science
Scientists are
affected by
Why Christianity accepts Diversity I recently shared with an
atheist that diversity is not
the fatal blow to Christianity,
Missional Basis for Science
worldview,
theology matters, because of unity in Jesus
and motives Christ.
underlie how
people apply the ◦ Apologetics reaches maximum effectiveness
when we Christians work together as a TEAM
scientific method.
We do not have a church of God with a mission in the world -- we
Apologetics is part of God's mission to the world. As Millard
have a God of mission, with the church in the world. Christians
Erickson advised, Christians should work as a TEAM!
are called for more than just advocating a model of theology or
science, but the somewhat mystical advocacy through the Holy
Spirit. Proper teaching on missions provides a framework
encompassing all public and private revelations from God.
52. After Critical Analysis:
Personal Resolution
Sign the RTB Statement of Faith and
support the local chapter
Encourage the local chapter to promote
education on both science and Christian
theology
Promote the concept of “Missional Basis
for Science”
53. Conclusion
More than a Theory connects four distinct
theories with specific testable models:
◦ Naturalism
◦ Young-Earth
◦ Theistic Evolution
◦ RTB Model
RTB has proven its desire for interactive
dialogue by talking with both BioLogos
and AIG (and other groups)
At the end of the presentation, I gave away three copies of a book which was not targeted at either science or theology: A
Rulebook for Arguments by Anthony Weston. I mentor doctoral students at the University of Phoenix and have
recommended this book for them for doing their leadership and management research. The book is relatively inexpensive,
and provides a good foundational overview of classic logic and argumentation.