(I wrote this in my journal a few weeks ago, so sorry in the delay of posting it online.)
In response to Anna's question at Youth Group, "Can't faith and knowledge (or science) coincide?" and after reading C.S. Lewis'
Transposition.
Faith and scientific knowledge (and proof) certainly stand together. We act on our faith in facts we understand--such as gravity. But when studying theology or attempting to understand the metaphysical, there comes a point where the knowledge of clearly seen facts cannot carry us. We could choose, based on facts we see, to believe (for example) that mankind descended from a common non-human descendent. Science might seem to back us up. But when we consider something less understandable--spirit, emotions, soul--it seems like a silly idea, because these things belong to humans, not to animals, and couldn't be "developed" according to our science.
You and I accept this, and believe instead in a Creator--not because we saw Him speak this universe into existence, but because it is our conviction. We can't trust the theory that mankind is descended from a common non-human ancestor.
Also, as Christians we must walk in faith for much less discovered subjects (like eternity) that man's mind simply cannot comprehend.
Because we live on earth, a realm Lewis would describe as "the lower medium", we can't fully realize matters of "the higher medium". We can see hints of it--speaking in tongues, for example, Lewis considers to be a transposition of truth from the higher medium to the lower medium (or something).
So when we, stuck in the lower medium, must rely on God (in the higher medium) and search for understanding, we step out in faith. Our knowledge and discernment may guide us there, but we cannot always expect physical, undeniable proof (in the scientific sense).
(David, our Youth Group leader, didn't really talk on this at all. He was just trying to say we must trust God's promise.)
(Also, correct me if I'm totally wrong, or wrote something unclearly, or if you just want a theological debate. :)
P.S. I think it's funny that this discussion of faith came up at Youth Group just as we began to learn about evolution, creationism, and interpreting the Bible in science class....
