MORE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
It is important to recognize that God is not limited in the way that quantum
mechanical processes seem to be! Even if `the tools' or measurement determine
the outcome, Christians still see the universe as created by a transcendent
God, who exists independently of our perception. The handiwork of God is
not the product of our minds. Electrons show randomness not freedom,
although both these lead to unpredictable behaviour!. We challenge `reductionism'
where the explanation of even life itself is reduced to the behaviour of
atoms.
In quantum mechanics there are finite probabilities for quantum events to
take place in certain time intervals. The greater the time interval the
greater the probability. But remember that without time no quantum event
is possible. The origin of time, space, matter and energy still require
us to think about a Creator, because alternatives to a Creator (like `quantum
tunnelling' or `quantum fluctuations') require time.
Before we continue through our list of big ideas to talk about space, time
and relativity, we need to think more about God and chance, and clarify
what `chaos theory' is.
4.1. Chaos Theory
The scientific meaning of `chaos' is a bit different from our everyday understanding.
Chaotic systems are not chaotic in the popular sense of behaving
in a way that has no explanation. Chaotic systems are those in which the
final outcome depends very sensitively on the initial conditions. However
their behaviour is fully determined by a mathematical `law,' even if in
practice that law could never be deduced by observation of the system.
A simple example is balancing a pencil on a point. It always falls down,
because it always obeys the precise law of gravity, but you can never predict
the way it will fall.
In chaos theory the unpredictable and irregular patterns of behaviour that
occur in systems are caused by the extreme sensitivity of systems to the
starting conditions. It is an immediate stage between completely predictable
behaviour, and completely random behaviour.
Edward Lorentz at MIT was the first to show that important systems
in nature, such as the atmosphere (and hence the weather!) are so extremely
sensitive to small changes as to be chaotic The classic example of chaos
at work is the so called butterfly effect where it is claimed that the flap
of a butterflies wings in Brazil could make a difference to a storm system
in Africa!
In a chaotic system behaviour cannot be predicted beyond its immediate future,
because any minute error in setting up the initial conditions soon produces
major departures from the predicted course. Thus chaos introduces an element
of practical unpredictability into the world of ordinary experience, similar
to that which quantum theory introduces into a world of atomic phenomena.
Chaos theory is linked with quantum mechanics because exact prediction of
all the properties of a system would require knowing the precise position
and velocity of every particle in the system (in the case of weather forecasting
of every molecule in the air etc.). This according to quantum mechanics
is impossible, even in principle.
So the behaviour of chaotic systems cannot be predicted because it is impossible
to measure the initial conditions with perfect accuracy. Since it is never
possible to make a set of measurements to determine the initial state of
a chaotic system, then future states cannot be completely predicted. This
means that scientist's can't look at a table of results and tell whether
they represent a chaotic system, of a truly random one.
Chaotic systems are non-linear. In linear equations (the kind that are used
to describe familiar physics) one thing changes in direct proportion to
another. In chaotic systems the solution of non-linear equations requires
difficult computer calculations. Thus, in astronomy chaos is a factor in
calculating the orbits of objects in the solar system. Orbital calculations
can be carried out far into the future, but they will deviate more and more
from the actual orbitas the effects of errors in the initial settings of
the calculations build up.
However, remember that most well studied physical phenomena turn out to
be linear and predictable and that chaos is really only useful in helping
understand such problems as turbulence and the growth of living systems.
Whether the study of fractals, cellular growth and form in biological organisms,
and such topics as video feedback address fundamental principles that nature
employs in the real world remains to be seen.
4.2. Some Theological Implications of these Ideas
The Bible presents a unique concept of God. It sees the laws of nature not
as autonomous systems, but proceeding from the mind of God, and kept in
being by Him. The laws of nature are presented as God at work. Their regularity
does not shut Him out of nature, but is an expression of what the Bible
calls `His faithfulness'.
Since God's purposes are wider than simply maintaining His own natural laws,
He must be free to act differently when to do so, is in accord with His
purposes. The real issue for the Christian faith is not whether the order
of nature is fixed, but whether it is closed. See Colin Brown in his
book called "Miracles and the Critical Mind" (Eerdmans
p.223,232,291) where he points out that human freedom and divine action
raise in principle the same question does the regular pattern of natural
law rule out free action by a personal agent? The answer is clearly `no'.
Even when human beings make choices, we don't transgress the laws of nature,
rather we feed new events into the process. Thus we induce `nature' to do
things that it wouldn't otherwise do. The attempt to base human freedom
or miracles on quantum randomness is both misguided and unnecessary.
As C.S.Lewis said in his book "Miracles" "The divine
art of miracle is not an art of suspending the pattern to which events conform,
but of feeding new events into that pattern".
The Bible claims in Psalm 19:1 and Romans 1:19-20 that the universe
reflects something of God's nature. So what are we to really make of the
random processes in nature? Naturalists claim that random processes gave
rise to the whole shebang (See Timothy Ferris's book `The Whole Shebang'.
Simon and Shuster). Christians see them as something God has incorporated
into the Universe to allow for the out working of His purpose.
Is a universe full of random processes compatible with the nature of
God, as revealed in the Bible?
To deal with this, it is important not be confused by the popular use of
the words `chance' and `random,' which is different from the scientific
use.
In science a `chance' or `random' event is one that has no known
cause, and is therefore unpredictable. It is a reference to our ignorance.
So chance cannot be seen as the cause of anything. When scientists attribute
an event to chance, they are only saying that the causes are unknown to
them. The absence of a known cause, does not mean there is no cause.
To say something is unpredictable by us, is not to say it is absolutely
unpredictable. Chaotic processes can be expressed in a complex mathematical
relationship. It is a mistake to think that an omniscient and omnipotent
God is mystified by chaotic processes. The Bible presents God as creating
and sustaining the quantum laws, so that (just as in real life!) what
may seem random events to us, (because of our limited knowledge) may turn
out to be quite purposeful from God's point of view.
But what could be the value of random events to the faithful loving God
that the Bible presents. Again, it is important to remember the uses
we make of random events in life.
What positive uses do we make of random events in everyday life?
In what ways can they be good?
Well what would life be like without surprises?
1) Random events create interest - (Chess is interesting but snakes
and ladders is a lot of fun too!)
2) We use random events to assure fairness e,g when we toss coins
in picking who goes first in a game.
3) Random mutation is a way God helps living organisms remain resilient
to changes in their environment.
4) Random searches are great for exploring new possibilities or testing
out the potential in a situation. E.g. engineers use them in computerised
design.
5) God is presented in the Bible as purposeful. He is one who is changing
us to achieve our full potential. Ultimately `to be confirmed to the
image of His Son'. Random events are used by humans as an important
aid to skill development by presenting new unpredictable challenges.
Aid our growth.
There is scope for theologians to include random events in working out an
understanding of the providence of God. Is there some clue here that
the unpredictability of quantum events and chaotic processes are the foundation
of God's interaction with His creation, in a way that preserves our freedom?
(John Polkinhorne's idea)
The bottom line is clearly that an omnipotent, omniscient God, such as is
presented in the Bible could work in a hidden way that we do not understand
just as well as in a physically deterministic way.
We must be careful not to use conclusions which are arrived at by takingcomplex
systems apart and seeking to understand the bits and pieces (the reductionist
approach), so that we imagine we can explain how everything works when everything
is fitted together. Remember how quantum mechanics shows us that there is
a inter- relatedness to all things at the sub-atomic level. A Christian
shouldn't find this surprising. If the universe is the creation of one Creator,
and is constantly kept in being by Him, we would expect there to be a fundamental
coherence and unity about it.
Another useful line to develop your theological thinking is to remember
that the Christian concept of God is a trinitarian one, where God is in
Himself a harmonious inter-relationship of persons. Since creation is something
which reflects His glory, it is not surprising that we find a harmonious
inter- relatedness which like that in God Himself, does not lead to the
loss of individual identity.
However those who seek the mystical experience of oneness with creation
for itself, seek something which the Bible calls idolatry, because it
puts creation before the Creator. The Biblical picture of oneness, is
of a voluntary relationship with God, where unity comes from individuals
giving themselves to each other, (like lovers in a marriage). Seeking a
mystical experience is not the same thing as having such a sense of awe
and wonder that it stimulates us to worship God, and build a dynamic relationship
with Him. The joy of a relationship is it's openness. Spontaneity and unpredictability.