Ways of Knowing

Unit

Shop Strong Foundations (1-3)

Ways of Knowing

Discover the process for acquiring theological and scientific knowledge and explore how they complement one other.

Title:

Ways of Knowing

Corequisite science:

Nature of science

Number of modules:

Teaching time:

5:00-7:30 hours

Format:

Digital download

Language:

English

Before You Read

Dear reader,

We’ll get right to it: Young people today are departing the faith in historic numbers as the church is either unwilling or unable to address their questions on science and faith. BioLogos is hosting those tough conversations. Not with anger, but with grace. Not with a simplistic position to earn credibility on the left or the right, but a message that is informed, faithful, and hopeful.

Although voices on both sides are loud and extreme, we are breaking through. But as a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of donors like you to continue this challenging work. Your tax deductible gift today will help us continue to counter the polarizing narratives of today with a message that is informed, hopeful, and faithful.

What is BioLogos?

Train your students to recognize and evaluate truth claims.

In secular culture, scientific expertise and knowledge is privileged as more reliable than knowledge gained in other ways. On the other hand, many Christians distrust science. How can you equip students to value both scientific and theological knowledge, and be discerning about which voices they listen to?

Essential Questions

How do we gain trustworthy knowledge in science and theology?
How can we continue entrusting our lives to God even in the face of doubts and questions?
Is some knowledge more valuable than other knowledge?
How does Christianity change over time?
How do we acquire knowledge in science?
What do gaining knowledge in science and in theology have in common?
How do cognitive biases influence the way we respond to new ideas?
When should we trust experts and leaders?
How do science and Scripture provide complementary answers?

Learning Outcomes

What will students know or be able to do after this unit?

Identify activities that strengthen faith.
Distinguish between ways of knowing in science versus theology.
Identify questions that science is not equipped to answer.
Distinguish between Christian doctrines, beliefs, and practices.
Explain how revised interpretations and new applications lead to changes in doctrines, beliefs, and practices.
Practice observation and inference to create and refine a hypothesis and critically evaluate competing hypotheses.
Compare and contrast how scientific and theological knowledge is acquired and evaluated.
Describe several forms of cognitive bias and evaluate the extent to which they affect how we respond to new ideas in science and theology.
Critically evaluate the trustworthiness of scientists and scientific claims.
Critically evaluate a scientific claim for scientific merit and a theological claim for orthodoxy.

Modules Included in this Unit

2.1 Meet: Philosopher Jim Stump

Dr. Stump explains what philosophers do and describes the relationship between knowledge and faith in science and theology.

2.2 Grow: Faith

In this brief devotional, students reflect on what it means to keep growing in our faith even when we don’t have all the answers to our questions and our knowledge is incomplete.

2.3 Engage: Different Kinds of Knowledge

Students consider how different disciplines help us see the world in complementary, not contradictory, ways. They explore the value of both scientific and nonscientific ways of seeing the world and identify different contexts that frame their thinking.

2.4 Engage: Theological Knowledge: Doctrines, Beliefs, Practices

Students examine how Christians throughout history have proposed different interpretations and applications of Bible passages and what changes came about. They see that Christianity changes over time at several levels: doctrines, beliefs, and practices.

2.5 Experience: Scientific Knowledge

Students discover that knowledge of the unknown in science can be acquired using observation, inference, and hypotheses, and that additional knowledge and research refines probable explanations.

2.6 Engage: Parallels in Science and Theology

Students compare and contrast the process for acquiring scientific knowledge and reaching consensus with parallel activities in theology. They also compare and contrast the tools of science and theology and how to make sure they are used well.

2.7 Engage: Cognitive Bias

Students research different cognitive biases and learn how they influence the way we respond to new ideas. Then they discuss how the methods used to develop scientific and theological consensus help us as individuals be less prone to bias.

2.8 Engage: Trust and Skepticism

Students consider reasons Christian communities can trust fallible scientific authorities. Students are then presented with an example of pseudoscience and an example of unorthodox teaching. They then practice evaluating the claims of each.

2.9 Integrate: Two Perspectives

Students discover that the process of knowing in science and in theology is complementary. Further, neither way of knowing answers all possible questions.

When teaching biology in a Christian context, it can be difficult to find resources that provide scientific rigor and a Christian worldview. Integrate helps students to engage in science, theology, and philosophy with grace.