Quantum Theology

I took a class in Quantum Physics at UCSD a number of years ago. It turned out to be the single most interesting class I took in college. In fact, while I don’t use what I learned in my physics and calculus classes at work, the study of those subjects has done much to influence my thought processes and my approach to theology.

What might be interesting to the average person who doesn’t know anything about quantum mechanics is the fact that the theory confounded the scientists so much that Erwin Schrodinger came up with a thought experiment to demonstrate to obsurdity of the whole thing. Despite the apparent obsurdity, quantum mechanics been proven correct over and over by experiments.

I find this interesting because it demonstrates the fundamental nature of this world we live in. The truths of this universe are not intuitive and often go against the way “we” think things should be. What does the Bible teach? Love your neighbor as yourself, turn the other cheek, the first shall be last and the last shall be first, love and obey a God that you can’t taste, touch, or feel.

Quantum mechanics explains the universe at the sub-atomic level. Newtonian physics explains the universe at the much larger scale. I like to say the quantum mechinics explains the very small, while the physics you learned in high school explains the large. The world of the large stands on top of
the world of the small, and it is strange to me why the two are so dissimilar. I see an analogy between the worlds of quantum and newtonian physics with the world the spirit and flesh. The teachings of the Bible are so contrary to the flesh that few Christians even understand it. To be sure, we claim understanding in church, and then demonstrate our ignorance in the way we live our lives. It is this sort of mirror with the natural world that gives Christianity a sense of trueness to me.

After some more research on the ways of the emergent church and post-modernism, I am a little skeptical. My personal beef has more to do with a sense of drowning in an American culture that is low on virtues and high on vices. I cannot help but be affected by it.

There are some strong arguments against the emergent church centering on view of absolute truth. The traditional church seems to think they have a corner on truth. Although most traditional Christians would deny this, it is plainly seen by outsiders. On the other hand, the emergent church lacks any coherent concept of truth. To be honest, it strikes me as kind of a mix and match Christianity.

Here I am stereotyping groups that don’t even have well-defined boundries or definitions. This is a great way to get in trouble. I am still looking for the common thread of God that transends the systems of men and brings truth into crystal clarity. Right now I am just going by the seat of my pants. Traditional Christians may be decieved by a well structured safe theology, and the emergent church may become a hideout for mix and match theology, but the spirit of God encompases both groups. I don’t think the approach matters nearly as much as how well you understand and leverage that approach for Gods glory.

I don’t think I would do well right now with the traditional church approach, but I had better do whatever I do with integrity and purity of heart.