THE EMMAUS WALK PRESENTS:
"Einstein, Quantum Mechanics, and the Reconciliation with Theology,"
Parts I, II, and III
Part I: An Apologetic Introduction
I realize that I am biting off much, much more than I can possibly chew, by trying to tackle such a comprehensive and complicated subject matter. I just pray that I do not choke on it. If so, I may need a spiritual Heimlich Maneuver applied to me!
Obviously, I can only intelligently expound to you what I can understand, such as, my somewhat limited knowledge of the Relativity Theories of Gravity (as espoused by Einstein). I have a lesser understanding of Quantum mechanics, and just a miniscule amount of comprehension of the various String Theories. However, I feel that I happen to have, despite the perimeters of my limitations, great intuitive abilities (of which I may give an example later on).[Einstein also was known for his great intuitive abilities--Ed.]
Because I have greater confidence concerning the field of Theology, and because I devoted myself to this field of study as my life work, I will begin our present discussion with the role of Theology.
Firstly, I do not think the final word has been, or ever will be, written on the perimeters of the field of Theology.
Secondly, Theology does not, and must not, operate in a vacuum, and, thus, Theology must first and foremost be relevant. How else can we answer our critics and the skeptics? And without these answers, how can Christian faith ever hope to reach college students, undergraduates, and university campuses with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?
On this point, I am of the same mind and understanding with men such as C. S. Lewis, Bill Bright (Campus Crusade for Christ, and Josh McDowell.
To adequately answer that question, I feel it necessary to back-track a bit. The answer, in my opinion, is to better integrate Science, Philosophy, and Theism (in my case, Christian-Theism).
It seems that Medicine and Psychology are making great strides in that direction, while the "hard" sciences are being left far behind in the "dust".
Scientists would do well to take a closer look at Einstein, in regard to this question.
In the next section, I will be trying to present Einstein in a more balanced and unvarnished way, in order to demonstrate the advantages of open mindedness and a brilliantly fertile, deductive reasoning ability, as well as show the limitations of reason, and also high-light the need for faith. It is my sincere desire to enlighten, not to further obfuscate the student.
The Lord says, "The Lord liveth, and blessed be the Rock. Be careful to kiss the Son, lest He be angry with thee. And strike Him not, lest He be offended by thee." Be very careful to build on this Rock, which is Christ Jesus your Lord, the Lord of Glory, according to My Gospel, the glorious Gospel of Grace," says my God. Amen--Anonymous Prophecy, but it is excellent and sobering regarding the great seriousness and implications of this article--Ed.
Part II:
"Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars; the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing." --Isaiah 40:26 (N.A.S.)
Einstein from his youth tended to be more of an agnostic than a believer in God, probably because he was so absorbed in his studies. However, at the time of his formulating the then radical and the now famous E=MC squared, he began to see the Cosmos on a much, much grander scale, and so he began to "broaden his horizons', as the old saying goes.
Energy, for Einstein, is equivalent to Mass (Matter has Mass) multiplied by the Constant (which for Einstein was the speed of light) squared.
Einstein, as he pondered the mysteries of the universe, became convinced that there was a Being of Supreme Intelligence at work, and became a devoted Theist as a result. He knew that such a Being would have to be of Infinite Power and Intelligence. Despite this promising development in his theological growth, to my knowledge he was not a Christian and, therefore, could not accept the Tri-unity of God.
On the topic of the origin of life, Einstein was a Theistic-Evolutionist (adherent of Intelligent Design), and he believed that the final stage of human evolution would be when mankind evolves past the need for physical bodies and finally becomes beings of pure energy with godlike powers, albeit, still subservient to the Creator of the Universe.
Moreover, because of the Conservation of Energy (First Law of Thermodynamics), Einstein had no problem believing in the continuation of life after death.
I find it absolutely amazing what one can deduce by studying the nature of God's creation, if one is truly open-minded and open of heart! See Psalm 19:1, Isaiah 40: 26, and Romans 1:20.
Section #2
I will now speak of the perplexities of Quantum Mechanics, which put Einstein and Relativity in a quandary or dilemma.
Einstein was extremely uncomfortable when it came to Quantum Physics, to say the least. That was because it involves the Uncertainty Principle (one can speak only in Probabilities).
Part III: Section #3: "Einstein's Quandary"
Because of the Order that Einstein saw in the Universe, which is the Macrocosm, and the apparently chaotic realm of Quantum Mechanics, wnhich is the Microcosm, Einstein spent the remainder of his life working on what he considered the problematic incongruities of the two.
As you may know, he never succeeded in finding this "Holy Grail" of Physics; however, he was very helpful with contributions along the way to finding it.
For example, (according to Scientfic American magazine) Einstein helped to coauthor a theory that states that if one could compress and condense numerous subatomic particulate matter together, they would actually cohabitate the same infinitesimally small pockets of quantum space that surrounds them all.
Thus, there would be created the illusion, to the naked eye, of one gigantic atom. Einstein in partnership with other scientists set forth many of the formulations necessary for just the right laboratory conditions to achieve exactly this phenomenon.
Nuclear physicists are now presently able to prove this theory and are experimenting on various elements, sometimes with great success.
I think it is totally amazing that one can observe these tiny specks of pin-point sized dots of light, with bare eyes, no less. We (mankind) are now able to get up close and personal with what appeears and behaves the same as actual atoms.
Section #4: "String Theory and Multi-Dimensions"
This brings us to the conceptualization of String Theory, the theory that, perhaps, may just turn out to be the theory that Einstein was searching for in vain all through his latter years--the "Theory of Everything."
The various versions or variations of the String Theory proposed, state that if one would envision the uncompatible infinities small enough, and if they are in fact tightly wound and compressed vibrating strings of Energy, then these infinities would cancel each other out. And if one or perhaps all of these versions of String Theory are true (the latter case mentioned in our discussion here refers to the "M" Theory), Quantum Theory is at long last unified with Relativity.
Try to think of it as "ironing out all the wrinkles" of Quantum Mechanics.
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Text: (c) 2007, Estate of Duane L. Smith, All Rights Reserved
Format: (c) 2007, Butterfly Productions, All Rights Reserved
