Many viewers have been blessed by the ongoing John Ankerberg Show science program series. Several took time to write after the last broadcast:
* I have been watching John for some years now and have always enjoyed watching him and his guests. I have really been enjoying the Big Bang series where the scientists have "discovered there really is a God!" This series has been my favorite of all I have seen on his show. I don't see how anyone can look at God's creation and not know there was perfect intelligent design to everything." I love looking at God's creation, whether it's through the Hubble or through my eyes at night outside.
* My family enjoyed the science show so much that we are going to purchase the complete set! We are a homeschool family who both love Christ and studying science. It is nice to know that we are not alone in our intense studies of both theology and science, which inevitably intermingle. Both of my children's eyes lit up while watching your episode today! Your shows make us think, helping us expand our knowledge and understanding of the world around us.
These letters reminded me of a recurring message of our blog posts. Our pastors should be encouraged to integrate science topics in their pulpit offerings along with offerings of scriptural principles governing human affairs in many fields. For at least a decade Dr. John Ankerberg has been helping the Christian community integrate science as a support structure for their Christian belief system. Another model for such a broad-scope application of theological principles is Focus on the Family's The Truth Project. Their instructional series includes philosophy, ethics, anthropology, history, sociology, and government. Last, but by no means least, there were two full lessons on science. For me, Dr. Ankerberg's science series and The Truth Project's science segments have been heartening.
Many clergy do not feel competent to address scientific topics from their pulpits. Understandably, "pure" theology and application and interpretation of Bible events falls closer to their expertise and comfort zone. For that, they deserve high praise. Those who have a vision for the apologetic value of science should encourage theologians and pastors to enlarge their offerings to include science topics along with a wide scope of human experience themes.
With respect to science, Del Ratzsch, philosophy department chair at Calvin College, has written, "Yet concern with the natural and material does not characterize natural science alone. Theology is also deeply concerned with things and events in the physical world. In fact, God's creation of and providential governance of that world are basic theological themes." Including science in our theological discussion does not dilute our understanding of theology. Rather, it is deepened.
