Further Study: Through a Glass, Darkly
“I have been warned [1890] that henceforth we shall have a constant contest. 
Science, so called, and religion will be placed in opposition to each other, because finite men do not comprehend the power and greatness of God. These words of Holy Writ were presented to me, ’Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.’”-Ellen G. White, Medical Ministry, p. 98.
Discussion Questions
- Think about the “threefold curse” (Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p. 88) on this earth (the curse from Adam’s fall, from Cain’s sin, and from the Flood). The cumulative effect of these curses, compounded over thousands of years, means that our present world is much different from the way that it was when God first created it. Why, then, must we be careful regarding the conclusions that we draw from the present world about what it was like in the beginning?
- Think about the work that science does, especially in the area of origins. There are no written labels to explain what we see. Science is entirely a human undertaking, and the human mind is limited in its scope and is prone to resist divine authority. Furthermore, Satan’s influence is strongly felt in nature, so that much of what we see is incompatible with God’s self-revelation in the Bible. Why is it so important that we place greater confidence in Scripture than we do in science, especially when considering unique events such as the Creation of our world?
- We do not understand all aspects of the tension between Scripture and science, but God is far wiser than we are, and we must acknowledge that there is more to the creation than science can ever discover. Why should we, in fact, not be surprised to find some tension between the supernatural events recorded in the Bible and the materialistic approach of science?
- Look at the Ellen G. White quote above. In what ways are we seeing this being fulfilled in our own church? How can we deal with these dangerous challenges to our mission and message in a way that-while never compromising our position on Creation and the Word of God-still keeps the church a “safe place” for those who are struggling with these difficult questions?
- Read Romans 11:33-36 and Job 40:1, 2, 7, 8. How reliable is human wisdom when attempting to understand the ways of God? What should be our attitude toward the difficulties that we encounter when trying to find harmony between science and Scripture?
I thought that God is the author of science.
Science is the study of nature. Yes God created the same thing, nature, being studied. However, Satan has taken advantage to confuse and distort the minds of those studying.
Should the scholars have been privileged in the garden of Eden, I am sure the conclusion would have been unequivocal that God is creator!
When you see how these , socalled scientists like the Darwin, the way they contradict to what the Holy Scriptures teaches about our origin and the creation! You “ll come to know how far sin has taken man to the extent of disregarding even our Creator!!! Isaiah 1:3-4
Its really a fallen world!
Wow! I general from the lesson think its not everything in worldly sciences is wrong & against God’s will. However, lets be selective in our knowledge aquistns & application