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Worldview and Its Effect on Astronomy and Science in General

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Worldview and its Effect on Astronomy and Science in General
Liberty University

Worldview and its Effect on Astronomy and Science in General
For thousands of years’ astronomy has intrigued both individuals and societies. When viewing the cosmos, the information the viewer receives is “filtered” according to his or her worldview. For example, individuals possessing a biblical Christian worldview interpret the heavens as a vast wonder wholly designed and created by their God, Yahweh. This kind of perspective is called a creationist perspective. As another example, atheists interpret the heavens as having been birthed from a naturally caused explosion called the “Big Bang.” This kind of perspective is called a naturalist perspective. Both perspectives compete with one another because each claims to be the truth. Fortunately, the law of non-contradiction tells us only one can be correct. The scope of this short essay concerns only the creationist perspective. Individuals possessing a biblical Christian worldview (hereafter referred to as Christians) believe that their God, Yahweh (hereafter referred to as God) created, by speaking into existence, the complete universe (hereafter referred to as Creation) in six literal days. This creationist perspective is derived from the first chapters of the book of Genesis found within the Bible and is a foundational belief to Christianity. Truths concerning astronomy are learned by Christians in two ways: special and general revelation. Special revelation is truth that has been revealed by God through the Bible, dreams and visions, and prophesy. By special revelation, Christians know the origin of the universe (found within the beginning chapters in the book of Genesis in the Bible). General revelation is truth that has been revealed through the examination of Creation. By general revelation, Christians are confirmed in their belief in God’s act of creation by viewing things which seem to be anomalies or even impossible (i.e. – the existence of Uranus and Neptune). As we know astronomy today, much evidence exists supporting the creationist perspective. Perhaps one of the most interesting pieces of evidence is the existence of the planets Uranus and Neptune. According to secular planetary formation models, they should not exist. The amount of time it should have taken for planets to form from planetesimals at such a great distance is longer than the secular age of the solar system. Unfortunately, “instead of acknowledging their Creator, evolutionists would rather cling to a story that denies the very objects it’s supposed to explain” (Psarris, 2013). Another fact relating to Uranus and Neptune the theories of evolutionists cannot account for is the planet’s offset magnetic fields. A second piece of evidence which supports the creationist perspective concerns the position of the Moon relative to the Earth. Currently, the Moon’s orbit moves roughly 1.5 inches away from Earth each year because of gravity. Supposing that number has been unchanging, secular models propose that the Moon and Earth would have been touching 4 billion years ago. That is just unfeasible. “The Moon shows that the universe is several thousand years old” (Institute for Creation Research). The Bible makes clear that God is the creator of the universe: “the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). Acknowledging the aforementioned examples supporting the creation perspective is important to astronomy and the general sciences. One’s worldview, having a direct effect on their interpretation of the facts, may advance or hinder their scientific cause. On one hand, the secular approach just does not (and will not, depending on your worldview) answer many of the questions scientists have about the universe and its origin. On the other hand, an overwhelming majority of secular scientists write off the biblical Christian approach solely on their disbelief in miracles. The law of non-contradiction tells us only one view can be correct. Scientists have a duty to thoroughly examine all of the evidence and all possible explanations, religious explanations included, in determining what is factual or not.

References
Institute for Creation Research. Our Young Universe. Video. Accessed April 14, 2016. http://www.icr.org/content/taf35.
Psarris, Spike. What you Aren’t Being Told About Astronomy: Our Created Solar System. DVD. Creation Astronomy Media, 2013. Accessed April 14, 2016.

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