Counsels on Secular Worldview

Counsel #6 — Digging Deeper And Asking Why

Picture: Counsel #6 — Digging Deeper And Asking Why CSe 16.1

We discussed “conserved” biochemical features as assumptions rather than evidence. Such topics often spark debates about evolution and geology, questioning whether to trust science or the Bible. You might argue that conserved features of an animal group are part of the scientific evidence against a literal interpretation of the Bible. While we can’t disregard evidence, it merely shows that the same features exist in different animal groups without explaining why. To fully understand why, we must scrutinize each link in the chain of evidence and arguments for evolution, asking the same critical questions throughout. This relationship between evidence and assumptions is a misunderstood aspect of science, even among scientists. Some theories are so deeply rooted in the academic community that distinguishing between assumptions and truth becomes challenging.^[13] CSe 16.2

“If the Lord does not build the house, it is useless for the builders to work hard over it. If the Lord does not watch over the city, it is useless for the watchman to stand guard.” Psalms 127:1 EHV CSe 16.3

“Both in divine revelation and in nature, God has given mysteries to command our faith. This must be so. We may be ever searching, ever inquiring, ever learning, and yet there is an infinity beyond.” Ellen White in The Ministry of Healing, p. 431 CSe 16.4

Reflect: What are the ethical implications of relying too heavily on scientific consensus without critically evaluating underlying assumptions? CSe 16.5