Quantum faith

Bonnie Beldan Thomson

Stephen Hawking, the eminent British physicist, has spent his lifetime trying to develop a theory of the universe. Although diagnosed with a motor-neuron disease while in his early 20s, he has spent decades working toward his goal--even though his physical condition has now deteriorated to the point that he is able to deliver his university lectures only by means of computer-generated speech.

Hawking, in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, briefly stated his understanding of the physical nature of the universe. On one hand, the universe operates according to well-defined laws. Most efforts of scientists throughout history have been directed toward discovering these laws. However, Hawking's work has shown that a random element also exists within this supposedly fixed world. The term for this unpredictable factor is "quantum mechanics". Hawking considers his disease, for example, one of these random elements.

Christians have traditionally seen scientific laws as evidence that the universe was planned by a Creator. Some others, called Deists, reject the idea that God is personally involved in human existence but nevertheless believe in what can be called the "Clockmaker theory". Deists argue that God did indeed create the universe, but then left it to run on its own. Although this is compatible with an understanding of the universe as operating according to fixed laws, the quantum element calls that theory into question.

As an alternative to the "Clockmaker" view, what if the God who created the universe has continued to have a personal interest in humanity, and has, at times, chosen to act in ways that affect individuals, countries and even the general direction of history? In this scenario, the random element in the working of the universe could be due to God's intervention.

The Christian Bible records many events which can be seen as "quantum" intervention by God. The creation story in the book of Genesis is the first. The emergence of the Israelite nation in Genesis and Exodus is another. A third is the preservation of the Israelite people despite their failures (called "sins") in the rest of the Old Testament. These stories assert, over and over again, that God shaped the history of Israel in order to direct people's attention toward God.

The book of Leviticus makes hard reading for anyone who decides to go through the Bible from start to finish. It is the tedious, sometimes repetitious listing of the laws given by God to humanity. These include health and safety precautions, as well as instruction in moral living and ceremonial procedures. Throughout the Old Testament, people could approach God only through the daily sacrificing of animals as required by these laws. These sacrifices were a constant reminder to the Israelite people and others of their sinfulness in God's eyes and their need to be rescued.

In spite of God's grief over humanity's sin, He is too holy to just overlook it. God would not break his own laws. However, His imagination came up with a plan which shattered all human expectations, while still staying within the bounds of God's law.

What God did was to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth as a human being. Since Jesus was sinless, He qualified as the perfect sacrifice which could truly meet the demands of God's law. Instead of lifetimes of ritual sacrifices, one perfect sacrifice, Jesus' death by crucifixion, completed the requirements of the law for all time. In all the quantum acts of the universe, there has never been anything like this. It was an act of love with eternal consequences for all of us.

When we accept this magnificent act, we open the door for further quantum acts of God in our lives.

One result of knowing God this way is an overwhelming sense of being loved. Regardless of how secure our childhood, how happy our marriage or how satisfying our career, we all have times of feeling unloved and unlovable. But God's love is unconditional. By sending Jesus, He has demonstrated that He can and will intervene for us, even in the most intense struggle of good and evil in the universe.

Second, we know from Jesus' example and from His teaching that our practical, daily concerns are also important to Him. He has invited us to involve Him in every part of our lives.

Third, as I am warmed from within by God's love, it flows out toward others. When I realize how much I have been forgiven, I cannot justify holding a grudge against someone else. My selfishness, pride and hypocrisy have no place in the presence of Someone who has died for me.

As well, my failures and disappointments take on a new perspective when seen in the light of a God who manages the quantum element of the whole universe; I can give up my assumption that I always know what is best.

In recent years, Stephen Hawking has begun attending church regularly. I don't know what that means. He refuses to discuss anything to do with the "G word".

Unfortunately, some people have spent years fighting God, or denying Him, because they assumed that Christian faith was incompatible with science, which they consider to be composed of fixed, irrefutable facts. Actually, the history of science is a tale of theories, often right-sounding, often presented by the most respected scholars of the day, but often eventually going the way of the Flat Earth Theory.

No age has been without barriers to Christian faith-- persecution, other religions, social upheaval, plagues, wars, industrialization and the subsequent de-valuing of people. Our era is not unique. Yet, in every time, in every situation, God has intervened to convince people to have faith in Him. Despite decades of oppressive, anti-Christian government policies, the Christian church in Russia and China has flourished. Many Canadian young people, growing up in an educational system and culture, which often deny the spiritual element of life, are acknowledging a void in their lives and turning to Jesus. Sometimes even middle-aged people break out of their familiar comforts to take risks of faith. By the power of God, the life of faith can be lived by anyone.

Talk to God about His role in your life. Tell Him how you will respond to his quantum acts of love.

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