Define Universe and Give Two Examples: A Comparison of Scientific and Christian Belief

Many scientists and others expect the mysteries of nature to soon (or at least eventually) be understood in terms of a few general and fundamental principles, theories, and laws of science. One such theory is called a Theory of Everything (TOE) and also a Grand Unified Theory (GUT). We summarize the power of science and the considerable knowledge obtained by it, both of which properties make science a fascinating topic of study. However, neither scientists nor philosophers have yet established the nature of an underlying material reality. Indeed, science has yet to resolve any issue on a universal or absolute basis. Each deeper level of insight reached in science has brought deeper and broader confusion about the nature of reality. Students of science therefore draw from an ever expanding reservoir of knowledge but confront ever deeper and more curious questions and increasingly profound uncertainty.

And many regard utterly abominable moral abuses in post-apostolic Christianity (and in religion more generally) as well as present confusion as disqualifying religion as a reliable path to or source of truth. Paul (Bible: 2 Timothy 3:7) foresaw our day and warned that in the last days (now) men shall be ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth . This description fits well all of science and most of philosophy and today s religions. How, then, is one to establish truth?

We address this question in this book by first summarizing science to its present frontiers of TOE/GUT research. We simultaneously consider fundamental limitations in science-based knowledge. Likewise, we consider confusion and its origins in current Christianity, but largely avoid them in plumbing Christian meaning using critically-important Christian doctrine and principles. To a lesser degree we consider philosophy and its poverty of utility for establishing truth.

Scientific and Christian methodologies for establishing truth are examined and compared. Individual and comparative examination provides important insights into both. Critical consideration of scientific and Christian methodology indicates which should be most powerful, but this image is drastically distorted when history is consulted. We consider what went wrong.

Both science and today s orthodox Christianity severely limit the discovery of truth while the original, uncorrupted Christianity described in the Bible does not. We consider Biblical doctrine and practice for establishing truth and, in this light, criticize both science and today s orthodox Christianity. We also consider one Christian denomination that gets the methodology right.

Barton E. Dahneke received degrees through the Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, taking many courses in physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

Dahneke has worked in corporate and government laboratories in the USA and Germany and in academe. He has held faculty positions at multiple universities, sometimes simultaneously, in departments of Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Science, Chemical Engineering, Biophysics, and Electronics and Instrumentation. He has consulted for a number of corporations and published widely on topics relating to particle processes and measurements.

Dahneke holds several patents and helped found a company to manufacture and sell one of his inventions: a time-of-flight spectrometer for measuring size distributions of particles in powders, liquid suspensions (colloids and slurries), or gases (dust, smoke, haze, pollution, contamination). Several hundred instruments were shipped worldwide.

Dahneke s interest in particle physics and particle process measurement and control continues. He still consults and writes in these areas, and now also writes in other areas like those treated in this book.