Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World Fred Hardinge, DrPH, RD Associate Director of Health Ministries Department General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church Robert has cancer of the colon. The doctor told him that it is probably small and that surgery would be the best treatment. 1 2 He read on the internet that there was a clinic that treated cancer with magnets, enemas and a special diet. They promised complete cure and there wouldn t be a need for surgery. Robert did not know what to do. Should he have surgery or the treatment with magnets, enemas and diet? 3 4 enemas magnets He investigated further and found many testimonies from people who said they had been cured from cancer special diets His friends and family advised him on what he should do. They all had different opinions. 5 6
Finally, he decided to get a second medical opinion. Confusion grew. Should he have surgery or the treatment with magnets, enemas and diet? 7 8 Good news! The cancer was small and there wasn t a sign of spread. Doctors would keep a close watch but no further treatment was needed. There was fear and uncertainty but surgery was chosen 9 10 The Only Balanced Person is YOU! Three Pillars Consistent with the Bible Supported by Ellen G. White Evidence-based information 11 12
"If they see that we are intelligent with regard to health, they will be more ready to believe that we are sound in bible doctrines. Counsels on Health p 452 The door is also closed in a great measure, so that unbelievers cannot be reached by the present truth upon the Sabbath and the soon coming of our Saviour. The most precious truths are cast aside by the people as unworthy of a hearing. These men are referred to as representatives of health reformers and Sabbathkeepers in general. A great responsibility rests upon those who have thus proved a stumbling block to unbelievers. CD 209 13 14 Understanding Science These men are doing a work which Satan loves to see go on. PH101 3 Science is a systematic attempt to reduce bias. Science tries to remove the element of unsystematic personal experience from he scientific process. It attempts to use objective measurements, not subjective judgments, whenever possible. It insist on the corroboration of findings by other scientists. It demands public evidence open to public scrutiny, not private data subject to personal confirmation, Its facts must not rest on the say-so of some authority but on objective evidence. How to Think About Weird Things, p. 63 15 16 The Scientific Method Exercise lowers the risk of... Theory Consistent Observation Hypothesis Prediction Modify if not consistent Tests 17 Observations Trump Everything Else Scien&fic knowledge is a body of statements of varying degrees of certainty. Some most unsure, some nearly sure, but none absolutely certain. - - Richard Feynman 18 1. Hypothesis (guesses, hunches) 2. Science says... (some evidence) 3. Scien&fic Theory (great deal of evidence, mul>ple scien>sts) e.g. earth goes around the sun 4. Absolute Fact (never aaained)
1. Discoverer Goes Directly to Media Seven Warning Signs of Bogus Science Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003 Integrity of science rests on the willingness of scientists to expose new ideas and findings to the scrutiny of other scientists. Bypassing peer review suggests that the work is unlikely to stand up to close examination by other scientists. Maker of some products go directly to paid advertisements or infomercials or presentations to the public. 19 20 2. Discoverer Claims Suppression by a Powerful Establishment Establishment suppresses discoveries that might shift the balance of wealth or power. (Car that runs on water!) They accuse mainstream science of being part of a larger conspiracy that includes industry and government that doesn t want to upset the status quo. 3. Scientific Effect Is at the Very Limits of Detection No clear photos or a flying saucer. No clear photos of the Loch Ness monster. All scientific measurements must contend with some level of background noise or statistical fluctuation. If the signal-to-noise ratio can t be improved the effect is probably not real and the work is not science. (Parapsychology). 21 22 4. Evidence is Anecdotal 5. Credible as it Endured for Centuries Anecdotes have a very strong emotional impact. They keep superstitious beliefs alive in an age of science. The most important discovery of modern medicine is not vaccines or antibiotics, but the randomized double-blind test. We know what works and what doesn t work. Data is not the plural of anecdote. There is a myth that hundreds or thousands of years ago our ancestors had miraculous remedies that modern science can t understand. Ancient folk wisdom, rediscovered or repackaged, is unlikely to match the output of modern scientific laboratories. 23 24
6. The Discoverer has Worked in Isolation The image of a lone genius who struggles in secrecy in an attic laboratory and ends up making a revolutionary breakthrough has more to do with Hollywood's fiction films than with reality. Scientific breakthroughs today are almost always the syntheses of the work of many scientists. 7. Discoverer Must Propose New Laws of Nature to Explain an Observation A new law of nature, invoked to explain some extraordinary result, must not conflict with what is already known. If we must change existing laws of nature or propose new laws to account for an observation, it is almost certainly wrong. 25 26 People Are Quick to Espouse Health Claims No Oil Diet Raw vs Cooked Food Zone Diet Masticate 60+ times per bite Wheat Belly Vegan Diet as the Gold Standard Evaluating Scientific Claims Consumers Have the Right to Know Carefully evaluate the messenger: Are they really who they claim to be? Did they get the education they claim to have? Do their peers in that field agree with them? Is their life consistent with their message? Critically evaluate the message being presented: Is there good research to back up the claims? Are the results consistent? Has this been corroborated by other research? 27 28 Science and the Bible Science and the inspired writings are in perfect harmony, when rightly understood. Rightly understood, science and the written word agree, and each sheds light on the other. Together they lead us to God by teaching us something of the wise and beneficent laws through which He works. CT 426 Rightly understood, they {science and the Bible} are in perfect harmony All truth, whether in nature or in revelation, is consistent with itself in all its manifestations. PP 114 29 30
What Can We Accept? We do not have to choose between the Bible and science (false dichotomy) God is the greatest scientist of all time Each sheds light on the other Rightly understood, they lead us to God God s Word is primary and takes precedent If EGW the only source If EGW and CONFIRMED by science Popular health advice with NO EGW and NO scientific evidence Popular health advice with NO EGW mention but strong scientific support Popular health advice with STRONG scientific support but CONDEMNATION from EGW Reliable information Follow it for good health Reliable information Follow it for good health Leave it alone Maybe OK Must be based on GOOD science Science is wrong Time will prove EGW correct 31 32 Can We Balance the Bad with the Good? Poor Diet High Stress Coffee Bible Study No Alcohol Relax Prayer Sleep No Smoking Sunlight Physical Activity In looking to Jesus, by studying His life and character, by earnestly desiring to be like Him, our minds will be balanced in the right direction, that we may overcome selfishness, and choose a course of righteousness.... SD 159 Non-Biblical Concept 33 34 Biblical Concept of Balance Satan will so shape circumstances that unless we are kept by divine power, they will almost imperceptibly weaken the fortifications of the soul. We need to inquire at every step, "Is this the way of the Lord?" So long as life shall last, there will be need of guarding the affections and the passions with a firm purpose. Not one moment can we be secure except as we rely upon God, the life hidden with Christ. Watchfulness and prayer are the safeguards of purity. PK 83 35 36