Discovery

• In God's world, there is a firm basis of knowledge.
• Furthermore, reality is balanced with limitations.
• We can prioritize what we know within a spectrum of conviction.
• Along with this foundation, God gives us imperatives to know His world.
• Elements of the cycle of discovery can be traced to their ancient roots.
• Figure: "The Cycle of Discovery."
• The elements of this ancient cycle are rarely viewed as a whole.
• Scientific method reflects some elements of this more basic model of discovery.
• Modern quality improvement in business also echoes this cycle.
• Figure: "Scientific Method & Quality Improvement."
• In today's culture, science & business typically do not recognize God.
• The human elements of the Biblical cycle, however, are quite prominent.

• The discussion of pure & applied academics begins with unity & diversity.
• At all levels, knowledge reflects the unity & diversity of God.
• From the beginning, knowledge has ranged from universal to specific.
• For example, the man chose one universal & one specific name for the woman.
• "Woman" also means "wife" or "female" denoting universal scope (Gen 2:23).
• He also names her "Eve" since she was "the mother of all the living" (Gen 3:20).
• "Eve" means "life" or "the first woman" having a specific scope.
• Knowledge has reflected God's unity & diversity from the beginning.
• Unity & diversity are the starting points for "applied" & "pure" academics.

• From the beginning, knowledge has been derived from basic data (Gen 2:23).
• "Pure" academics work in this way, from specific facts to principles.
• Experimental science, for example, determines natural laws from observed facts.
• History, by definition, is the recording & analysis of past events.
• Figure: "Observations of History & Science."
• Derived knowledge must be continually checked against basic data (Mk 7:6-13).
• If derived knowledge goes unchecked, deviation from the truth is likely.
• Scientific method & the plan, do, check, act cycle ensure continual checking.
• Diversity is the starting point for the "pure" academic disciplines.

• General principles have many applications.
• A Biblical example is the phrase, "Whoever has, more shall be given":

Mt 13:12 Responsiveness brings increased insight.
Mt 25:29 Responsiveness brings increased responsibility.
Mk 4:25 Selective listening brings increased insight.
 

• Unity is the starting point for the "applied" academic disciplines.
• "Applied" academics fields include health sciences, engineering & business.

• Three areas of academics were defined before: art, science & theology.
• Figure: "Three Spheres of Knowing."
• A fourth area is humanities which is concerned with human thought & relations.
• The sphere of academics is tied to purpose, our three relationships in life.
• Figure: "Reflecting God's Image in Three Relationships."
• A relational model of academics reflects these three relationships (Gen 1:28).
• Theology &, in a broader sense, religion study our relationship with God.
• Humanities (liberal arts) & social sciences study human relationships.
• Art & natural sciences study our relationship with nature.
• On each level of academics pure & applied fields can be distinguished.
• Figure: "Three Tiers of Academics."
• This model promotes a spectrum of academic and vocational endeavors.

• Positioned above natural & social sciences on the sphere is theology.
• As defined earlier, theology is the study of God & His relationship with His world.
• By this definition, "God & His Mighty Works" could be considered theology.
• See also: "The Bible and Theology, A Topical Study from the Foundations Web Site."
• Christianity has historically viewed theology as the "Queen of the Sciences."
• By understanding God & His world, the rest of life can be understood.
• With this central role, theology rightly sits at the top of the sphere of academics.
• Along with its formal study, theology has a part in every Christian worldview.
• Central to a Christian worldview are a set of beliefs regarding God & His world.
• In this sense, a Christian has "personal theology" near the center of their beliefs.

• Formal theology would be classified as a pure science.
• It derives overarching principles from specific data in Scripture.
• Theology, both formal & personal, is distinguished from actual text of Scripture.
• As in other areas, it is prudent to distinguish data from derived knowledge.
• Figure: "A Spectrum of Conviction."
• This is one of several assumptions which guide formal & personal theology.
• Figure: "Assumptions Guiding Theology."
• See also: "The Bible and Theology, A Topical Study from the Foundations Web Site."

• In God's world, there is a firm basis of knowledge & its pursuit.
• The open architecture of Biblical discovery fosters the exploration of knowledge.
• Christianity provides a foundation for the academic study of God's world.
• Its relational academic model shows how Christianity touches all areas of life.