The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:33 (esv)
One hundred years ago the theory of quantum mechanics (QM), largely in the form we have today, was completed. As a result, this year has been declared the “International Year of Quantum” with events all over the world to recognize and celebrate the contributions that quantum science has made to the world. Undeniably, the mathematics of QM has been incredibly successful at enabling accurate predictions of physical systems and the design of revolutionary technologies, including the transistor (now about 20 billion of them in your pocket), GPS navigation, the laser, and advanced medical imaging such as MRIs.
These technical successes give great confidence to scientists and engineers that QM is a great tool and, at some level, must have something right about it. However, the underlying for a pure naturalist, the philosophical implications of QM are deeply unsettling and, while QM may be great at describing our universe, it is terrible at explaining it. The counter-intuitive nature of QM inspires questions about reality, causality, and even knowledge itself. This is no small problem, and it bothers a lot of good scientists that humanity’s most useful physical theory has maybe even impeded our true understanding of reality. Two of the most eminent theoretical physicists to propose serious alternatives are probably David Bohm[1] in the mid-1900s and Nobel-prize-winning Gerald t’Hooft[2] who is working on his theories today. Both respected physicists, seeking to do good science, have arrived at the conclusion that a deterministic (that is, fully ordered, non-random, even “predestined”) universe is what is needed to provide a satisfying understanding of our natural observations.
Of course, a deterministic universe is exactly what is described in Scripture. Without ambiguity, Scripture states that God is fully sovereign in complete control over all purposes, particles, and persons. As Proverbs 16:33, above, states, even the events least under man’s control (“the lot”) are under God’s control. As Christians, we have no problem with ascribing to God control over all things; in fact, it isn’t optional for us. Scripture consistently paints a picture of a God whose plan, power, and purpose are absolute and, as a result, God alone gets the glory for the majesty that unfolds (see, for example, Psalm 29).
So, be encouraged, my brothers and sisters, that when we present the mysteries and paradoxes of the gospel (to name a few: the harmony of divine and human nature in Christ, the simultaneity of human responsibility and divine sovereignty, the depth of the triune nature of God) we do present intellectual challenges. However, rest assured that we do not present anything inherently less coherent or more baffling than is present to any honest seeker of truth when they dig into the foundations of the natural sciences.
I continue to admire the tenacity of scientists who seek truth. They honestly devote their entire lives to the pursuit of little nuggets of truth and often succeed, in part. This search can lead many of them, however, into a late-in-life despair over the ultimately fruitless search for explanation, meaning, or purpose that results. In this, we should strive for compassion for these wandering souls because they do not have access to that for which they truly seek. Note that Psalm 29 concludes with a beautiful promise: “May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” We, God’s children through faith in Christ, can have peace with Him that the world apart from God cannot. This is the satisfaction that knowledge alone can never give.
Looking forward to that day our faith becomes sight,
Pastor Aaron
[1]https://plato.stanford.edu/
[2]https://www.
