Faith and Science

  1. Lemma
  2. Вяра и Наука
  3. Bulgarian
  4. Nachev, Ivaylo
  5. Scientific theories and disciplines > Biology:evolution - Scientific theories and disciplines > Classical physics - Modes of interaction
  6. Велчев, Валентин [Author]. Faith and Science
  7. Faith and Science - София: Покров Богородичен, 2010.
  8. Evolution - Creationism - cosmology

    1. The book represents a critical analysis of the evolutionary hypothesis about the origin of man and the universe. The author, a theologian with a mathematical high-school background, uses arguments from various disciplines - physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, philosophy and theology. A brief note in the beginning of the book states that it is written from the position of the Orthodox Christianity. In general, the work suggests that the relation between faith and religion is far more complimentary and harmonious than the general public perceptions suggest.
      The work includes seven chapters, each tackling the discussion between evolutionists and creationists from a different perspective. Extended comments are provided about the discussions in the various fields, combining overviews of the developments in each discipline, recent experiments/discoveries and a number of quotes by both scientists reflecting on religious matters and Church Fathers.
      The first chapter traces the historical development of cosmology since ancient times, including a discussion of the Bing Bang theory, which, according to the author, still cannot provide a plausible explanation for the origin of the Universe. The second chapter gives a description of the structure of stars and cosmic systems – the Solar System, the Milky Way and groups of galaxies. In the third chapter are critically analyzed a number of hypotheses about the origin of the Solar System and the stars and galaxies and it is concluded that the current scientific knowledge fails to answer a large number of fundamental questions. The author claims that the accidental occurrence of perfectly well organized cosmic systems must be deemed completely impossible, favoring the explanation they resulted from a divine act of creation with “unimaginable complexity and grandeur” (p.108).
      Chapter Four scales down the focus on the microworld of the elemental particles examining their structure, interactions and the fundamental physical laws that govern them. The fifth chapter (“A so exquisite universe”) traces the exceptionally fine balance of all elements both in the micro and the macro world and discusses the so called anthropic principle. Chapter Six examines Darwin’s evolutionary theory, highlighting the points where it fails to comply with the scientific method and more recent scientific findings from the 20th century, including skepticism about the possibility of self organization of complex systems out of matter in chaotic state. Arguments are provided, supporting the thesis for an intelligent design such as the deliberations of Scottish philosopher David Hume and astronomer James Jeans. Velchev suggested it might be time “…to rethink the established naturalistic paradigm and to accept that things in nature can also have an intelligent Reason for their genesis” (p. 173). The author also maintains it could be stated that “…science is best ally of the Christianity because it offers the most objective method for studying the composition and establishing the origin of the universe” (p.185). Chapter Seven examines a number of approaches and debates about the existence of God, summarizing three groups of arguments: teleological, cosmological and ontological. These three classical arguments account for the following conclusion: “There is one transcendental God, Who has created the Universe out of nothing”.
      In addition to the main text (named “Food for thought”) there are also excerpts of two chapters of Charles Thaxton’s book “The Soul of Science”, included with the “special permission of the author” as stated.