Scientific theory and theology
Science and religion are often portrayed as being at odds with each other. I take the view to the contrary. Take for example the apparent contradiction concerning how light is described in quantum theory, as outlined by Russell Stannard, emeritus professor of physics at Open University. In answering what is light, some experiments point to light being a wave, others to it being a stream of particles. Light is sometimes described as a wave, because it behaves like a wave in many situations. Quantum theory also describes light as a particle. Scientists revealed this aspect of light behavior in several experiments performed during the early 20th century. In one experiment, physicists discovered an interaction between light and particles in a metal. But how can light be a spread-out wave and, at the same time, be a small localized particle? Similar apparent contradictions have arisen when studies are made to determine the “stuff” of which matter is comprised. These experiments point to both the wave and particle aspects of matter.
The apparent contradiction of the Christian trinitarian concept is this: How can God be fully God – omnipresent and omnipotent – and fully man (in the person of Jesus) – limited by time and space in Palestine – at the same time? We put aside the infantile objection: “but the word trinity doesn’t appear in the Bible”, for now. These apparent contradictions in particle physics and Christian theology bring home what ancient theologians and philosophers knew long ago. Science can tell us nothing about the world in and of itself. It cannot answer the question of form or quiddity, which is: what is the essence of … ? For example, we cannot know what light is (its essence). We can simply know that light is (it exists), by observing how it interacts in our environment.
In the same way, God can only be known through His interactions with us: nature, the Word, Jesus in Palestine et cetera. That He is (existence) – is knowable. However, what He is (essence) is absolutely unknowable Therefore, whatever it is we are talking about – God, light or matter – we cannot know what they are (essence). We can acknowledge however, that they exist and talk about how they interact with us in the universe and our lives. As a postscript, I would like to acknowledge Dr. Jerry Bergman for his help with the scientific aspect of this article.
The apparent contradiction of the Christian trinitarian concept is this: How can God be fully God – omnipresent and omnipotent – and fully man (in the person of Jesus) – limited by time and space in Palestine – at the same time? We put aside the infantile objection: “but the word trinity doesn’t appear in the Bible”, for now. These apparent contradictions in particle physics and Christian theology bring home what ancient theologians and philosophers knew long ago. Science can tell us nothing about the world in and of itself. It cannot answer the question of form or quiddity, which is: what is the essence of … ? For example, we cannot know what light is (its essence). We can simply know that light is (it exists), by observing how it interacts in our environment.
In the same way, God can only be known through His interactions with us: nature, the Word, Jesus in Palestine et cetera. That He is (existence) – is knowable. However, what He is (essence) is absolutely unknowable Therefore, whatever it is we are talking about – God, light or matter – we cannot know what they are (essence). We can acknowledge however, that they exist and talk about how they interact with us in the universe and our lives. As a postscript, I would like to acknowledge Dr. Jerry Bergman for his help with the scientific aspect of this article.
