Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies JBTSVOLUME 2 | ISSUE 2 Christianity and the Philosophy of Science Why Studying Philosophy of Science Matters: An Editorial Invitation and Introduction 147 Ryan A. Brandt Science and Christianity: The Three Big Questions 157 Josh A. Reeves Can Science Answer Life’s Big Questions? The Error of Allowing Naturalism to Dictate our Origins Models 170 John A. Bloom Christian Theology of Creation and the Metaphysical Foundations of Science 180 Joshua M. Moritz The “Conflict Thesis” of Science and Religion: a Nexus of Philosophy of Science, Metaphysics, and Philosophy of Religion 208 R. Clinton Ohlers Responding to Perceived Theological Implications of Evolutionary Creation 234 J. B. Stump Divine Action and the World of Science: What Cosmology and Quantum Physics Teach Us about the Role of Providence in Nature 247 Bruce L. Gordon Paleoevil, Theodicy, and Models of Earth History Kurt P. Wise 299 The Final Word: Prisoners of Our Own Device Steve Donaldson 321 Book Reviews 330 Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies JBTS is published twice a year online at www.jbtsonline.org and in print through Pickwick Publications, an Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers 199 West 8th Avenue, Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401, USA Print ISSN 2572-2832 Online ISSN 2572-2859 Copyright © 2017 Grand Canyon University, College of Theology. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 West 8th Avenue, Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401, USA The Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies (JBTS) is an academic journal focused on the fields of Bible and Theology from an inter-denominational point of view. The journal is comprised of an editorial board of scholars that represent several academic institutions throughout the world. JBTS is concerned with presenting high level original scholarship in an approachable way. Academic journals are often written by scholars for other scholars. They are technical in nature, assuming a robust knowledge of the field. There are fewer journals that seek to introduce biblical and theological scholarship that is also accessible to students. JBTS seeks to provide high-level scholarship and research to both scholars and students, which results in original scholarship that is readable and accessible. As an inter-denominational journal, JBTS is broadly evangelical. We accept contributions in all theological disciplines from any evangelical perspective. In particular, we encourage articles and book reviews within the fields of Old Testament, New Testament, Biblical Theology, Church History, Systematic Theology, Practical Theology, Philosophical Theology, Philosophy, and Ethics. Please see the guidelines for submission at jbtsonline.org. Since JBTS is a broadly evangelical journal there will often be a variety of views that are represented that align with the evangelical Christian faith within each journal issue. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily the views of the editors or the institutions that they represent. Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies EXECUTIVE EDITOR Ryan A. Brandt (Grand Canyon University) EDITORS General Editor: Daniel S. Diffey (Grand Canyon University) Managing Editor: Ryan A. Brandt (Grand Canyon University) Managing Editor: Justin L. McLendon (Grand Canyon University) ASSOCIATE EDITORS Biblical Studies: Channing Crisler (Anderson University) Philosophical and Theological Studies: Joshua Farris (Houston Baptist University) BOOK REVIEW EDITORS Church History and Historical Theology: Chad Brand (Oklahoma Baptist University) Ministry and Pastoral Theology: Justin L. McLendon (Grand Canyon University) New Testament: Luke Hoselton (Grand Canyon University) Old Testament: Adam Howell (Boyce College) Philosophy and Ethics: Danny McDonald (Ancient Christian Studies and Boyce College) Philosophy of Religion and Apologetics: Tyler McNabb (Houston Baptist University) Systematic and Philosophical Theology: Joanna Leidenhag (University of Edinburgh) PRODUCTION AND DESIGN Production Editor: Dawn Juhas Production Editor: Jessica Walls Graphic Designer: Diana Cheek Graphic Designer: Billie Worth EDITORIAL BOARD Paul Allen (Concordia University, Montreal, Canada) Uche Anizor (Talbot School of Theology, Biola University) Benjamin Blackwell (Houston Baptist University) Simon Burton (University of Warsaw) Byron G. Curtis (Geneva College) Dan DeWitt (Cedarville University) Matthew Emerson (Oklahoma Baptist University) Kevin Giles (Retired Scholar, Melbourne, Australia) J. R. Gilhooly (Cedarville University) Steven Guest (South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies) Greg Lanier (Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando) David R. Maxwell (Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO) Clinton Ohlers (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) Paul Raabe (Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO) John Mark N. Reynolds (The Saint Constantine School and King’s College) Dave Schreiner (Indiana Wesleyan University) Bethany Sollereder (University of Oxford) Owen Strachan (Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) Brad D. Strawn (Fuller Theological Seminary) Daniel von Wachter (International Academy of Philosophy, Gamprin, Liechtenstein) [JBTS 2.2 (2017): 147-156] Why Studying Philosophy of Science Matters: An Editorial Invitation and Introduction RYAN A. BRANDT, EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF SPECIAL ISSUE Ryan teaches full-time at Grand Canyon University and is a Managing Editor of JBTS This special issue of the Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies features articles exploring contentious but important topics within the philosophy of science. It represents views from across the spectrum of evangelicalism. In keeping with the mission of JBTS—to relay content that is original and yet accessible—this issue will contain not only a diverse range of viewpoints but also unique writing styles that are addressed to different audiences; accordingly, some articles are more philosophically heavy and scholarly and others more approachable and readable. In sum, the issue offers a set of distinct contributions from varied backgrounds and positions, which make this issue a useful overview for students and an impetus for serious scholarly reflection. With an intent to address students and laymen and yet not exclude scholars, this editorial introduction will introduce the reader to three things. First, it will briefly explain the nature of philosophy of science. Second, it will address why philosophy of science is a subject worth studying, particularly for those in the biblical and theological fields. Third, it will provide an abbreviated introduction to the articles in this special issue. Philosophy of Science: An Introduction While the subject of philosophy of science might sound intimidating or irrelevant, the questions that it asks confront Christians on a regular basis. How does the world function? Does it always behave according to regular principles or not? What is science? Does science provide objective knowledge about the world? How much of the contemporary “scientific consensus” is valid? What is the relationship of theology to science? Is the earth relatively young or old? How did God create the world? Is evolutionary creation or theistic evolution a viable option for the Christian? What is God’s relationship to science and our contemporary scientific theories? These questions might be condensed into a broader one: What is God’s relationship to the world? In other words, philosophy of science is a subcategory of philosophy which studies the metaphysical foundations and methods of science, yet it also raises 147 Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies 2.2 questions about everyday life. One philosopher of science, Brendan Sweetman, provides an excellent summary of the main issues: The philosophy of science . raises foundational questions with regard to such issues as the definition of science and its method of inquiry, the truth status of scientific theories, whether science gives us objective knowledge of the real world, the difference between science and nonscience, the limits of science, and its relationship to other forms of inquiry, such as philosophy, theology, religion, and ethics.1 Philosophy of science analyses and assesses foundational issues related to the study of science. It thus often asks questions and seek answers that scientists (usually untrained in philosophy of science) take for granted. Consequently, the intersection of science and philosophy of science has often been a precarious one. Since several of the articles in this special issue explore this intersection on a more scholarly level,2 I will limit myself to the popular level. For example, Bill Nye has recently disregarded the importance of the philosophy of science,3 though he has apparently changed his mind on this matter.4 Moreover, Neil deGrasse Tyson has consistently disparaged the value of philosophy.5 Even more troubling, the popular but prestigious Cambridge Astrophysicist, Stephen Hawking, has argued: “Philosophy is dead. Philosophy has not kept up with modern developments in science, particularly physics. Scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge.”6 In other words, Hawking (along with Nye and Tyson) claims that scientific knowledge is the only knowledge, an approach often called scientism. It is worth noting that these men are not philosophers—for, indeed, 1. Brendan Sweetman, “The