Truth Cannot Contradict Truth

As a former Catholic, educated by Jesuits for eight years, I am thinking through the intellectual tradition that I have left behind as I prep for the supercool visit from Br. Guy Consolmagno, a Vatican astronomer who is coming to Duluth.

When I was younger, I struggled a lot with the antiscientific vibe I get from

(a) some interpretations of the Bible

(b) some theological positions, typically understood as “fundamentalist” positions, on the truth of the Bible

(c) some extreme home-brewed positions on the Bible.

The earth is not 6,000 years old, and the universe was not created in seven 24-hour periods. Left alone with the Bible as a child, this literal interpretation made sense and it was the first thing I gave up when I was no longer a child. Institutions that embrace the literal interpretation as a matter of dogma (e.g. the Answers in Genesis movement, which shares the “evidence” for its claims in the Creation Museum) are misguided, to me.

But here’s the thing. The Catholic Church has thought this through, at least a little, in the “Truth Cannot Contradict Truth” position. If science and the Bible seem to contradict each other, it doesn’t mean that science is wrong or that the Bible is wrong, but simply that we need to keep searching for the truth that brings these contradictory claims together.

I suppose this appeals to me because it replaces certainty with a continued searching. Even as I no longer identify as Catholic, I suppose, I feel that continued searching.

Br. Guy Consolmagno will be in Duluth for the Sieur du Lhut Creativity Conference, which is free and open to the public, on April 19. He will also do public presentations at St. Scholastica on the 20th, at the UMD Newman Center on the 19th, and virtually, from St. Paul, to the inside of the Alworth Planetarium on the 14th.

4 Comments

Christopher E

about 1 year ago

Some great thoughts here. Unfortunately, many people outside of Christianity incorrectly think that the majority of Christians are evolution deniers, who read the biblical text literally. I can promise you this is not at all what we were taught in seminary and the vast majority of Christians, of diverse denominations, do not either. Much like in politics, the loudest voices come from the most troubling viewpoints. Thanks for sharing the Br. Guy Consolmagno information -- it sounds like an excellent opportunity! Oh ... and good on you for continuing "the search."

Peace.

David Beard

about 1 year ago

I'm really enjoying his books. Thanks for thinking with me!

Herman Cummings

about 1 year ago

Yes, "truth can not contradict truth." The problem is, "young earth" believers teach foolish false doctrine concerning Genesis. Also, they are so brainwashed that they refuse to listen to the actual truth of Genesis.

The seven days which Moses saw were not linear. They are seven days, taken from seven different weeks, which were the first week of seven different time periods. That is why the "sixth day" in chapter one has a different sequence than that of chapter two.

Chronologically, the order of the days start with Wednesday, the fourth day, being associated with Passover. Unleavened bread is the fifth day, when Moses saw sea monsters (dinosaurs of the sea). First fruits is Friday, 64 million years ago, after the dinosaurs, when mankind was first made in the image of God. Feast of Weeks is the seventh day.

The Day of Trumpets is the first day, which contained the period of the Ice Age. The second day is associated with the Day of Atonement, which is when Adam and Eve were made. The third day is in the future, when the feast of Tabernacles will be everlasting, and Yeshua ruling from the New Jerusalem.

If you like, you can read the book The Sabbath the Assassinated Atheism, which reveals the Bible from infinity to eternity, based on the seven feasts given to Israel, and the part that the two witnesses play.

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Chester Knob

about 1 year ago

"...The Day of Trumpets..."

Now hold on. I was told by certain esteemed clergy that it's actually called the Day of Crumpets, and contains not the Ice Age, but the Spice Age, referring not to the Spice Road but to Ginger Spice and her line space-themed clothing.

Likewise, under the Law of Seder, the Fourth Day must also contain the Seventh Day which is why Adventists are so screwed up.

As to the conflict between science and religion, science is eternal and infallible and has never been wrong, so clearly science is God.

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