Introduction
It seems a debate can be raised between scripture and science on almost any topic. Inquiries between topics such as The Big Bang Theory and Creationism still go on today in classrooms around the world. The balance of science and religion is always in play when the belief is simply that; a belief. There are some things that we just believe such as the transubstantiation of the Eucharist during the Liturgy of the Eucharist at every Mass. We believe it is the blood and body of Christ that we are receiving and the Grace that comes with it.
Upon examination of key passages in the Bible, one can see absolute elements of the process of inquiry we call the scientific method. Even though the scientific method is not documented as a specific type of inquiry until the 17th century, clearly the process is rooted with research methods and program design within Holy Scripture.
Genesis
Starting in Genesis, Adam and Noah both use classification and measurement in accordance with God’s commands. When Adam was searching for a partner (human like himself), God sent many creatures before him to be named. It was classification at its rawest form in that he categorized beasts, birds and cattle in the field. He used specific titles to describe each category to show their likeness.
Noah used the concept of measurement in that God commanded the Ark be built with a specific amount of square footage. God specified how many rooms to build and using the concept of classification instructed exactly how to organize the creatures and that there must be two, one male and one female, of each creature.
Exodus
An early form of program evaluation can be found in Exodus in regards to Moses, by power of the Holy Spirit, rendering God’s judgment on people. In accordance with God’s command, Moses evaluated controversies amongst the people. Jethro evaluated the process by which people sought the guidance or judgment of Moses. Distinction was made as to what matters Moses can judge over. The more important command was for Moses to show and model the way to worship God and how to walk in the Light of the Lord. The evaluation of the way in which Moses was giving guidance was to spread the accountability of others of judgment in order to fulfill the commandment of God, so that all was peaceful. The people chosen by Moses to judge was to govern the lesser cases only and refer those of significant nature to him.
Daniel
In Daniel we find a significant source of scientific inquiry in that you read evidence of the thought process of inquiries and testing hypothesis. When Daniel and four others were brought before the King to be schooled and nourished as the King, conflict arose. Daniel believed and lived the Word of God and inquired to the servants to not be feed in a manner forbidden by law. The servant was quick to not want to honor this request in that visible signs would be seen by the King if not feed in according to his command.
The scientific inquiry was:
If the children were fed peas and beans and such and not forbidden meat along with water and not wine that God would grant mercy on them and not let the King see visible signs such as a leaner face or pale complexion. Daniel pleaded this experiment last for ten days to prove that they were truly in favor of the Lord.
Daniel and the others were indeed in favor of the Lord as they had fatter faces than all of the children that ate the King’s meat and drank his wine.
Daniel's proposed research was set up along what is known as the classical experimental design. According to current methodology, this design is composed of control and experimental groups, with each group being subject to a before-and-after test. Utilization of this design requires that subjects in both groups be treated exactly the same in every aspect except for one variable—in this case, the diet. Stated simply, both control and experimental groups were under identical conditions, except that the control group subjects consumed the king's meat and wine, while the experimental group had pulse and water. The purpose of the before-and-after test was to compare the subjects in the control group with the subjects in the experimental group to see if there was any change. Since other potential variables in the two groups were the same, any change could be attributed to the one variable-diet.
It seems a debate can be raised between scripture and science on almost any topic. Inquiries between topics such as The Big Bang Theory and Creationism still go on today in classrooms around the world. The balance of science and religion is always in play when the belief is simply that; a belief. There are some things that we just believe such as the transubstantiation of the Eucharist during the Liturgy of the Eucharist at every Mass. We believe it is the blood and body of Christ that we are receiving and the Grace that comes with it.
Upon examination of key passages in the Bible, one can see absolute elements of the process of inquiry we call the scientific method. Even though the scientific method is not documented as a specific type of inquiry until the 17th century, clearly the process is rooted with research methods and program design within Holy Scripture.
Genesis
Starting in Genesis, Adam and Noah both use classification and measurement in accordance with God’s commands. When Adam was searching for a partner (human like himself), God sent many creatures before him to be named. It was classification at its rawest form in that he categorized beasts, birds and cattle in the field. He used specific titles to describe each category to show their likeness.
Noah used the concept of measurement in that God commanded the Ark be built with a specific amount of square footage. God specified how many rooms to build and using the concept of classification instructed exactly how to organize the creatures and that there must be two, one male and one female, of each creature.
Exodus
An early form of program evaluation can be found in Exodus in regards to Moses, by power of the Holy Spirit, rendering God’s judgment on people. In accordance with God’s command, Moses evaluated controversies amongst the people. Jethro evaluated the process by which people sought the guidance or judgment of Moses. Distinction was made as to what matters Moses can judge over. The more important command was for Moses to show and model the way to worship God and how to walk in the Light of the Lord. The evaluation of the way in which Moses was giving guidance was to spread the accountability of others of judgment in order to fulfill the commandment of God, so that all was peaceful. The people chosen by Moses to judge was to govern the lesser cases only and refer those of significant nature to him.
Daniel
In Daniel we find a significant source of scientific inquiry in that you read evidence of the thought process of inquiries and testing hypothesis. When Daniel and four others were brought before the King to be schooled and nourished as the King, conflict arose. Daniel believed and lived the Word of God and inquired to the servants to not be feed in a manner forbidden by law. The servant was quick to not want to honor this request in that visible signs would be seen by the King if not feed in according to his command.
The scientific inquiry was:
If the children were fed peas and beans and such and not forbidden meat along with water and not wine that God would grant mercy on them and not let the King see visible signs such as a leaner face or pale complexion. Daniel pleaded this experiment last for ten days to prove that they were truly in favor of the Lord.
Daniel and the others were indeed in favor of the Lord as they had fatter faces than all of the children that ate the King’s meat and drank his wine.
Daniel's proposed research was set up along what is known as the classical experimental design. According to current methodology, this design is composed of control and experimental groups, with each group being subject to a before-and-after test. Utilization of this design requires that subjects in both groups be treated exactly the same in every aspect except for one variable—in this case, the diet. Stated simply, both control and experimental groups were under identical conditions, except that the control group subjects consumed the king's meat and wine, while the experimental group had pulse and water. The purpose of the before-and-after test was to compare the subjects in the control group with the subjects in the experimental group to see if there was any change. Since other potential variables in the two groups were the same, any change could be attributed to the one variable-diet.