Paradox and the Science of Grace (2)

Last updated on: May 22, 2009 at 5:10 am by JBW

Paradox and the Science of Grace (2) 2009-05-22T05:10:42-05:00 JBW

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It seems as if science itself has progressed so far that it has shut the door on absolute-ness, thanks to the study of sub-atomic particles and time-space relativity. Quantum Mechanics, which studies these tiniest of particles, is a scientific discipline wrought with paradoxical issues and weird ideas. Take, for example, electrons and photons. Electrons are the smallest particles of matter that make up everything that exists. And Photons are the particles that make up light. Now consider this fact: The reality at a sub-atomic level when you are dealing with these tiny electrons and photons is that they can’t be directly measured. Or located. And they can’t really be precisely defined, either. (Doesn’t that remind you of God?) But they are still mathematically and scientifically proven to be true.

Stick with me here. I’m getting to the part where this relates to God in your life.

Let’s take a closer look.

Scientists have concluded that an electron is both a particle and a wave, even though the two are mutually exclusive. It’s like saying my cat is both a cat and an oyster. Not one or the other, it’s both. Scientists tell us that the behavior of electrons is consistent with the behavior of waves (they have continuous movement and momentum), but they also act like particles of mass (that have a fixed place and position).

You: “Brad, are you saying that these electron things can be hanging out in one place, but also be continuously moving at the same time?”

Me: “Yep. Two place at once, dude.”

And here’s the other thing. You can’t really directly measure an electron, because by virtue of the very fact that you are simply trying to observe it, you are changing its position (it’s called the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle). Instead, physicists tell us we can only deal in probabilities when measuring electrons. Now, here’s the fun part. What this all boils down to is that the electron particles are basically in an infinite number of places at once – until you measure it. Scientists can only give us a probability of where it’s going to end up. If we never looked, it would still be potentially in many places at once – with just a probability of it being in any one specific location.

I know, I know, it all sounds totally wacko, like I’m talking in circles. It doesn’t make sense, but it’s true. We can barely grasp it – it’s just that the math works out, so scientists can keep going with it.

So, now that we are all experts in Quantum Physics, let me explain how I think it relates to theology. Let’s start with a personal question about your doctrinal beliefs:

Q: Which do you think is true? Do we have free will, or is everything predestined by our sovereign God in advance?

A very fundamental question, indeed. One that has been discussed and debated for centuries, with varying conclusions based on differing interpretation of scripture. The different answers have also conveniently led to the formation of very distinct Protestant denominations, so that our brains might be able to rest on either one side or the other of the argument (which also accommodate our Western thinking very nicely). Now, I’m no theologian, however, I would suggest the answer is that probably both are true. Just like the electrons in quantum physics, it’s in two places at the same time.

A: We have free will AND it’s all predestined by God.

God is pretty tricky. He went and made that free will and predestination thing get all scrambled up by creating those pesky paradoxical electrons. Who knows what else He’s been up to? If those subatomic particles are really pinging around as two completely different forms of matter (which is impossible), and are located both everywhere and still in one place (also impossible), then why couldn’t God have a system where he pre-determines everything that’s going to happen and still allows us to have a probability of influence over our destiny, both at the same time?

Gosh, no wonder we feel so unsettled sometimes.

As a practical example of this paradox, let’s talk about what we are doing this exact moment. Right now I am typing these letters in my computer, completely of my own free will and initiative. Yet God knew that it was going to happen, but He didn’t force it and I could have chosen to sleep on the couch all afternoon. The couch was a probability, but the writing became the reality once I sat down at the computer. And you, dear reader, are reading this now of your own free volition, yet it was always meant to be that you and I have this little chat. God knew ahead of time. Like Quantum Mechanics, it’s all about probabilities.

To be continued…

Previous Post

May 19, 2009

God, Paradox and the Science of Grace (Part 1)

Next Post

May 25, 2009 The Science of Grace (3)

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ambition Blogging Career Culture Executive Career Development Failure Faith in the Workplace Family Feeling Stupid Leadership Managing People Purpose Reviews Spirituality Uncategorized Work-Life Balance

Select a Month November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Tabernacle" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Holy altar Sacrifice Cupboard Dwelling place