Quarks, Chaos, and Christianity What’s Been Going On? Sunday, January 13, 2008 10 to 10:50 am, in...

Quarks, Chaos, and Quarks, Chaos, and ChristianityChristianity

What’s Been Going On?What’s Been Going On?

Sunday, January 13, 200810 to 10:50 am, in the ParlorPresenter: David Monyak

1 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. work of his hands.

2 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. display knowledge.

3 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.4 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of

the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,5 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a

champion rejoicing to run his course. champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the

other; nothing is hidden from its heat. other; nothing is hidden from its heat. 7 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes

of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The

commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be

pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

- Psalm 19:1-8, 14 (NIV)- Psalm 19:1-8, 14 (NIV)

Primary Primary ReferenceReference

Quarks, Chaos, Quarks, Chaos, & Christianity. & Christianity. Questions to Questions to Science and Science and Religion, Revised Religion, Revised EditionEdition, John , John Polkinghorne, Polkinghorne, Crossroad, 2005Crossroad, 2005

The Rev. Dr. John Polkinghorne KBE, FRS:The Rev. Dr. John Polkinghorne KBE, FRS: 1955:1955: PhD physics from Cambridge University PhD physics from Cambridge University 1968:1968: full Professor of Mathematical Physics at Cambridge full Professor of Mathematical Physics at Cambridge

UniversityUniversity published numerous papers on theoretical elementary particle published numerous papers on theoretical elementary particle

physicsphysics 1974:1974: Fellow of the Royal Society Fellow of the Royal Society 1979:1979: resigned his professorship in order to train for the resigned his professorship in order to train for the

Anglican priesthoodAnglican priesthood 1981 to 1986:1981 to 1986: served as a deacon, curate and vicar served as a deacon, curate and vicar began writing numerous papers and books on interface began writing numerous papers and books on interface

between science and religionbetween science and religion 1986:1986: Dean & Chaplain of Trinity College, Cambridge Dean & Chaplain of Trinity College, Cambridge 1989-1996:1989-1996: President of Queens College, Cambridge President of Queens College, Cambridge 1994-2005:1994-2005: Canon Theologian of Liverpool Cathedral Canon Theologian of Liverpool Cathedral

Rev. Dr John Polkinghorne KBE FRS

IntroductionIntroductionScience and FaithScience and Faith

IntroductionIntroductionThe Book of NatureThe Book of Nature

Psalm 19:2: Psalm 19:2: The heavens speak of the The heavens speak of the Creator’s glory and the sky proclaims God’s Creator’s glory and the sky proclaims God’s handiworkhandiwork

St. Paul (St. Paul (Romans 1:20 NRSV): Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made.

The “Book of Nature” as well as the “Book of Scripture” can tell us about God.

Photograph of the spiral galaxy UGC 12343

Taken by the VATT (Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope), Vatican Observatory, Mount Graham, Arizona, USA

IntroductionIntroductionIs Anyone There?Is Anyone There?

Last week we also discussed two questions about “the Last week we also discussed two questions about “the whole show” that arise out of science, but which whole show” that arise out of science, but which science itself cannot answer.science itself cannot answer. 1. Why can we do science at all? Why are we capable of

comprehending and appreciating the rationale beauty of the laws that govern the universe, when such knowledge goes far beyond what we need to survive?

2. Why do we live in a universe whose laws are incredibly we live in a universe whose laws are incredibly fine-tuned to produce life? (the fine-tuned to produce life? (the Anthropic Principle)Anthropic Principle)

Introduction Introduction 1. Why Can We Do Science At All?1. Why Can We Do Science At All?

The rational beauty and transparency of the The rational beauty and transparency of the universe (the “reason without”) can be universe (the “reason without”) can be comprehended by us (the “reason within”) comprehended by us (the “reason within”) because they have a common origin in the because they have a common origin in the reason of the Creator, who is the ground of all reason of the Creator, who is the ground of all that is.that is. That is: humanity is made “in the image of God,” That is: humanity is made “in the image of God,”

and this is why we can comprehend and appreciate and this is why we can comprehend and appreciate the rationale beauty of God’s creation; this is why the rationale beauty of God’s creation; this is why we can “do science.”we can “do science.”

Introduction Introduction 2. Why Do We Live in a Universe Fine-2. Why Do We Live in a Universe Fine-

Tuned for Life?Tuned for Life? There are two rational answers, There are two rational answers, bothboth of which of which

are “metaphysical” (are “metaphysical” (beyondbeyond physics): physics): 1. There is a vast number of other universes, each 1. There is a vast number of other universes, each

with its own natural laws and circumstances. They with its own natural laws and circumstances. They are nearly all sterile and lifeless, but we happen to are nearly all sterile and lifeless, but we happen to be in one that by sheer chance had the laws and be in one that by sheer chance had the laws and circumstances to produce life.circumstances to produce life.

2. There is only one universe. It is fine tuned for 2. There is only one universe. It is fine tuned for life because it is the creation of a Creator who life because it is the creation of a Creator who desires it to be fruitful of life.desires it to be fruitful of life.

IntroductionIntroduction Today’s TopicToday’s Topic

What’s Been Going On?What’s Been Going On?

What’s Been Going What’s Been Going On?On?

Is God Only a God of Is God Only a God of Beginnings?Beginnings?

Only a God of Only a God of Beginnings?Beginnings?

The Big BangThe Big Bang

Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe,launched June 30, 2001

Science tells us the Science tells us the universe “began” 13.7 universe “began” 13.7 billion years agobillion years ago

Only a God of Beginnings?Only a God of Beginnings? The Cosmic Microwave BackgroundThe Cosmic Microwave Background

The “Cosmic Microwave Background” = the red-shifted glow of the light that filled the universe 380,000 to 400,000 years after the “big bang,” as measured by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP). The colors represent slight density fluctuations (variations of < 0.001%) that would become the “seeds” for the formation of galaxies and clusters of galaxies.

Only a God of Beginnings?Only a God of Beginnings? An Evolving, Developing UniverseAn Evolving, Developing Universe

a universe of saints and scientists

Only a God of Beginnings?Only a God of Beginnings? Creation = “Big Bang”?Creation = “Big Bang”?

Genesis 1 and 2 are not a divinely guaranteed Genesis 1 and 2 are not a divinely guaranteed scientific textbook.scientific textbook.

They are theological writing, and their main They are theological writing, and their main purpose is to assert that all that exists does so purpose is to assert that all that exists does so because of the will of God (God said, “Let because of the will of God (God said, “Let there be...”).there be...”).

Nonetheless, when science found the universe Nonetheless, when science found the universe had a beginning with the “Big Bang”, many had a beginning with the “Big Bang”, many people of faith were quick to assert the people of faith were quick to assert the Genesis account had been vindicated.Genesis account had been vindicated.

Only a God of Only a God of Beginnings?Beginnings?

Creation = “Big Creation = “Big Bang”?Bang”?

The “Big Bang” The “Big Bang” they asserted, was they asserted, was the moment God the moment God created the created the universe. God lit the universe. God lit the “blue touch paper” “blue touch paper” of the Big Bang. of the Big Bang.

Only a God of Beginnings?Only a God of Beginnings? Creation = “Big Bang”?Creation = “Big Bang”?

Polkinghorne suggests identifying creation with the Polkinghorne suggests identifying creation with the “Big Bang” is a limited and ultimately “Big Bang” is a limited and ultimately wrongwrong vision vision of “creation.”of “creation.”

Consider:Consider: St Augustine: The universe was made St Augustine: The universe was made withwith time and not time and not in in

time.time. Einstein, in his Theory of Special Relativity, proved St. Einstein, in his Theory of Special Relativity, proved St.

Augustine right by showing that time is a dimension Augustine right by showing that time is a dimension intimately intertwined with the three dimensions of space, intimately intertwined with the three dimensions of space, that the universe is best imagined as a single fabric of that the universe is best imagined as a single fabric of “space-time.”“space-time.”

Only a God of Beginnings?Only a God of Beginnings? Continuous CreationContinuous Creation

God is the creator and sustainer of the “whole show.”God is the creator and sustainer of the “whole show.” Creator and sustainer = all that exists does so because of Creator and sustainer = all that exists does so because of

the will of God (God said, “Let there be...”)the will of God (God said, “Let there be...”) The “whole show” = the entire space-time fabric of the The “whole show” = the entire space-time fabric of the

universe.universe. As long as time continues to be woven in the fabric of As long as time continues to be woven in the fabric of

space-time, God’s space-time, God’s sustaining sustaining of the universe is best of the universe is best considered another way of speaking of God’s considered another way of speaking of God’s on-on-going creationgoing creation of the universe. of the universe.

God’s sustaining of the universe = God’s God’s sustaining of the universe = God’s continuous creation of the universecontinuous creation of the universe

Only a God of Beginnings?Only a God of Beginnings? Continuous CreationContinuous Creation

Polkinghorne:Polkinghorne:

“… “… creation isn't concerned with how things creation isn't concerned with how things began, but with what’s happening. God is as began, but with what’s happening. God is as much the Creator today as God was fourteen much the Creator today as God was fourteen billion years ago. The divine will holds the billion years ago. The divine will holds the universe in being, and the divine mind and universe in being, and the divine mind and purpose are behind its evolving history. The purpose are behind its evolving history. The Creator is the answer to the questions, Creator is the answer to the questions, “What's been going on?” and “What does it “What's been going on?” and “What does it all mean?”all mean?”


Chance and NecessityChance and Necessity

Chance and NecessityChance and Necessity An Evolving, Changing UniverseAn Evolving, Changing Universe

What has been going on as the universe has What has been going on as the universe has evolved from an unimaginably hot plasma of evolved from an unimaginably hot plasma of quarks and gluons to a universe of galaxies, quarks and gluons to a universe of galaxies, stars, planets, saints and scientists?stars, planets, saints and scientists?

The many processes involved in the evolution The many processes involved in the evolution of this rich complexity have in common an of this rich complexity have in common an interplay between what can be termed, in interplay between what can be termed, in slogan form, slogan form, “chance and necessity”“chance and necessity”..

Chance and NecessityChance and Necessity An Evolving, Changing UniverseAn Evolving, Changing Universe

““chance”chance” = happenstance, the way things just = happenstance, the way things just happen to be, this way rather than that wayhappen to be, this way rather than that way

““necessity”necessity” = the lawful regularity that = the lawful regularity that governs how things developgoverns how things develop

Chance and NecessityChance and Necessity Example: the Early UniverseExample: the Early Universe

The early universe wasn't completely smooth; there were ripples in which The early universe wasn't completely smooth; there were ripples in which there was a bit more matter here than elsewhere. These fluctuations were there was a bit more matter here than elsewhere. These fluctuations were chance, happenstancechance, happenstance..

They were augmented by They were augmented by necessitynecessity, the lawful force of gravity. A bit more , the lawful force of gravity. A bit more matter exerted a bit more gravitational pull, which attracted a bit more matter exerted a bit more gravitational pull, which attracted a bit more matter in its turn.matter in its turn.

A snowballing process began by which the universe, after about a billion A snowballing process began by which the universe, after about a billion years, became lumpy with galaxies, and the galaxies became lumpy with years, became lumpy with galaxies, and the galaxies became lumpy with stars.stars.

“Ripples” in the universe 380,000 years after the Big Bang

Chance and NecessityChance and Necessity Example: Biological EvolutionExample: Biological Evolution

In biological evolution, In biological evolution, genetic mutations are genetic mutations are chance, happenstancechance, happenstance; ; they just occur from they just occur from time to time. time to time.

Through such chance Through such chance mutations, new forms mutations, new forms of life arise that are of life arise that are sifted and preserved by sifted and preserved by the the lawful necessitylawful necessity of of natural selection.natural selection.

DNA molecule, carrier of genetic information

Chance and NecessityChance and Necessity Requirement for a Fertile WorldRequirement for a Fertile World

ChanceChance is the engine of novelty. is the engine of novelty. NecessityNecessity is is the preserver of fruitfulness. the preserver of fruitfulness.

A fertile world must be neither too rigid, nor A fertile world must be neither too rigid, nor too loose. It needs both too loose. It needs both chancechance and and necessitynecessity. .

Chance and NecessityChance and Necessity Chance versus Divine PurposeChance versus Divine Purpose

Problem:Problem: doesn’t the role of chance deny the doesn’t the role of chance deny the theological claim that universal history is the theological claim that universal history is the unfolding of a divine purpose?unfolding of a divine purpose?

Nobel Prize-winning French biochemist Jacques Nobel Prize-winning French biochemist Jacques Monod, in Chance and Necessity (1972), concludedMonod, in Chance and Necessity (1972), concluded““man at last knows he is alone in the man at last knows he is alone in the unfeeling immensity of the universe, out of unfeeling immensity of the universe, out of which he has emerged by chance.”which he has emerged by chance.” Monod concludes that because of the element of “chance” Monod concludes that because of the element of “chance”

in the processes of the world, the universe’s history must in the processes of the world, the universe’s history must be a tale told by an idiotbe a tale told by an idiot


An alternative interpretation:An alternative interpretation: when God came to when God came to create the world, the Creator faced a dilemma:create the world, the Creator faced a dilemma: The natural gift of the The natural gift of the faithfulfaithful God would be God would be reliabilityreliability in in

the operation of creationthe operation of creation However, reliability by itself could lead to a clockwork world in However, reliability by itself could lead to a clockwork world in

which nothing really new ever happened.which nothing really new ever happened.

God is also loving, and the natural gift of theGod is also loving, and the natural gift of the loving loving God God would be an would be an independence independence granted to creationgranted to creation

““Letting-be” is an indispensable gift to give in the process of Letting-be” is an indispensable gift to give in the process of growing upgrowing up

However independence on its own could degenerate into a world of However independence on its own could degenerate into a world of disorderly chaos.disorderly chaos.


The God who is both loving and faithful has given to The God who is both loving and faithful has given to creation the twin gifts of:creation the twin gifts of: independenceindependence reliabilityreliability,,

reflected in the fruitful interplay of reflected in the fruitful interplay of chancechance and and necessitynecessity in evolving cosmic history. in evolving cosmic history.

The shuffling operations of The shuffling operations of happenstancehappenstance are thus a are thus a way of exploring and bringing to light the deep way of exploring and bringing to light the deep designed-in “anthropic” fruitfulness with which the designed-in “anthropic” fruitfulness with which the physical world has been endowed.physical world has been endowed.

Chance and NecessityChance and Necessity God’s Relationship with CreationGod’s Relationship with Creation

God’s twin gifts of God’s twin gifts of independenceindependence and and reliabilityreliability, reflected in the fruitful interplay of , reflected in the fruitful interplay of chancechance and and necessitynecessity in the evolution of the in the evolution of the cosmos:cosmos:

What might this tell us about God’s What might this tell us about God’s relationship with creation?relationship with creation?


Two extreme pictures of God’s relationship to Two extreme pictures of God’s relationship to creation unacceptable to Christian theology:creation unacceptable to Christian theology: 1. The universe is God's puppet theater, in which 1. The universe is God's puppet theater, in which

the Creator pulls every string and makes all the Creator pulls every string and makes all creatures dance to the divine tune alone.creatures dance to the divine tune alone.

The God of love cannot be such a cosmic tyrantThe God of love cannot be such a cosmic tyrant 2. God is an indifferent spectator, who set it up and 2. God is an indifferent spectator, who set it up and

gave it a push and then left the universe to go on gave it a push and then left the universe to go on its own. its own.


An An evolutionary worldevolutionary world is understood theologically is understood theologically as a world allowed by the Creator to “make itself” to as a world allowed by the Creator to “make itself” to a significant degree.a significant degree.

Cosmic history is Cosmic history is not not the unfolding of an inexorable the unfolding of an inexorable divine plan.divine plan.

Yet Polkinghorne suggests, the universe’s self-Yet Polkinghorne suggests, the universe’s self-making takes place:making takes place: in a setting of finely tuned potentiality established by God, in a setting of finely tuned potentiality established by God,

andand with God’s continuous providential interaction with the with God’s continuous providential interaction with the

universe through its historyuniverse through its history How God might interact with the cosmos while maintaining God’s How God might interact with the cosmos while maintaining God’s

twin gifts of reliability (reflected in “necessity”) and independence twin gifts of reliability (reflected in “necessity”) and independence (reflected in “chance, happenstance”) is a topic we will explore in a (reflected in “chance, happenstance”) is a topic we will explore in a couple weeks.couple weeks.


God’s general overall purpose, God’s “vision” for God’s general overall purpose, God’s “vision” for creation are being fulfilled as the universe evolves.creation are being fulfilled as the universe evolves.

But God has given to the universe a range of But God has given to the universe a range of potentiality, a range of options that it is free to chose potentiality, a range of options that it is free to chose from and “actualize” through the contingencies (the from and “actualize” through the contingencies (the chance, happenstance) of history. chance, happenstance) of history.

The picture is of a world endowed with fruitfulness, The picture is of a world endowed with fruitfulness, guided by its Creator, but allowed an ability to realize guided by its Creator, but allowed an ability to realize this fruitfulness in its own particular ways. this fruitfulness in its own particular ways.


The Problem of Evil and The Problem of Evil and SufferingSuffering

Evil and SufferingEvil and Suffering Evil in God’s CreationEvil in God’s Creation

A universe given the freedom to make itself A universe given the freedom to make itself through processes involving an interplay through processes involving an interplay between between chancechance and and necessitynecessity will have rough will have rough edges:edges: The shuffling explorations of chance will lead to The shuffling explorations of chance will lead to

deterioration as well as fruitful novelty, to blind deterioration as well as fruitful novelty, to blind alleys as well as ways ahead.alleys as well as ways ahead.

We must ask:We must ask: Does a world with cancer and Does a world with cancer and concentration camps really look like the concentration camps really look like the creation of a powerful and loving God?creation of a powerful and loving God?

Evil and SufferingEvil and Suffering Evil in God’s CreationEvil in God’s Creation

Two kinds of evil:Two kinds of evil: 1. 1. Moral EvilMoral Evil = the chosen cruelties and neglects = the chosen cruelties and neglects

committed by human beings.committed by human beings. We generally explain this evil with the We generally explain this evil with the “free will “free will

defense:”defense:” the possibility of moral evil is the price that the possibility of moral evil is the price that must be paid for the greater good of human freedom.must be paid for the greater good of human freedom.

2. 2. Physical EvilPhysical Evil = diseases and disasters that are = diseases and disasters that are our common lot.our common lot.

The principal responsibility here is The principal responsibility here is notnot ours. ours. To put it bluntly, surely the responsibility for physical To put it bluntly, surely the responsibility for physical

evil rests with God, who created the world as it is.evil rests with God, who created the world as it is. What can we say in the Creator's defense?What can we say in the Creator's defense?

Evil and SufferingEvil and Suffering Free Will and Free ProcessFree Will and Free Process

The created order looks like a “package deal.”The created order looks like a “package deal.” for example:for example: the same biochemical processes that enable the same biochemical processes that enable

cells to mutate, making evolution possible, are those that cells to mutate, making evolution possible, are those that enable cells to become cancerous and generate tumors.enable cells to become cancerous and generate tumors.

God might have created a magic world in which there God might have created a magic world in which there was divine intervention every time a cell looked like was divine intervention every time a cell looked like it was becoming malignant, or our hands got too near it was becoming malignant, or our hands got too near the dangerous fire.the dangerous fire.

But such a magic world could not have been the But such a magic world could not have been the home of morally responsible beings:home of morally responsible beings: in such a world there would be no true consequences of our in such a world there would be no true consequences of our

deeds.deeds.


But such a magic world could also not be the home of But such a magic world could also not be the home of a universe allowed the freedom to make itself.a universe allowed the freedom to make itself.

On All Saints' Day in 1755 an earthquake in Lisbon On All Saints' Day in 1755 an earthquake in Lisbon caused the churches, filled to people, to collapse, caused the churches, filled to people, to collapse, killing fifty thousand people.killing fifty thousand people. The Oxford theologian Austin Farrer once asked himself: The Oxford theologian Austin Farrer once asked himself:

what was God's will in the Lisbon earthquake?what was God's will in the Lisbon earthquake? His answer: God’s will was that the elements of the Earth’s His answer: God’s will was that the elements of the Earth’s

crust should behave in accordance with their nature.crust should behave in accordance with their nature. In other words, they are allowed to be in their own way, just as we In other words, they are allowed to be in their own way, just as we

are allowed to be in ours.are allowed to be in ours.

This is the This is the “free process defense”“free process defense” for physical evil. for physical evil.


But wait a minute – there may be some moral worth in But wait a minute – there may be some moral worth in allowing human beings freedom, but what’s the point in giving allowing human beings freedom, but what’s the point in giving freedom for tectonic plates?freedom for tectonic plates?

Polkinghorne:Polkinghorne: “We're characters in the cosmic play “We're characters in the cosmic play who have emerged from the scenery. Animate who have emerged from the scenery. Animate beings have evolved from inanimate matter, and our beings have evolved from inanimate matter, and our nature is tied to that of the physical world, which nature is tied to that of the physical world, which gave us birth. Once again, I suspect it is a package gave us birth. Once again, I suspect it is a package deal. Only a universe to which the deal. Only a universe to which the free process free process defensedefense applied could be expected to give rise to applied could be expected to give rise to beings to whom the beings to whom the free will defensefree will defense applies” applies”

In other words, In other words, moral and physical evilmoral and physical evil are both the are both the inescapable costs of a universe permitted by its Creator to be inescapable costs of a universe permitted by its Creator to be other than God, permitted to make itself and evolve fruitfully.other than God, permitted to make itself and evolve fruitfully.

Evil and SufferingEvil and Suffering The Mystery of SufferingThe Mystery of Suffering

When a young mother develops a terminal cancer, it When a young mother develops a terminal cancer, it is not a display of divine punishment, or of divine is not a display of divine punishment, or of divine indifference.indifference.

But the tragedy and suffering it causes is not But the tragedy and suffering it causes is not alleviated by noting that the possibility of cancer is alleviated by noting that the possibility of cancer is the price to be paid for the evolution of new life.the price to be paid for the evolution of new life.

The profound problem and mystery of suffering in The profound problem and mystery of suffering in God’s creation remains.God’s creation remains.

As Christians, we approach this mystery by noting As Christians, we approach this mystery by noting thatthat


As Christians, we approach this mystery through the As Christians, we approach this mystery through the cross:cross: God is not just a compassionate spectator, looking down in God is not just a compassionate spectator, looking down in

pity on the bitterness of the world. God has been a fellow pity on the bitterness of the world. God has been a fellow participant in the world’s sufferingparticipant in the world’s suffering

In the lonely figure hanging on the cross, we see God In the lonely figure hanging on the cross, we see God accepting suffering and embracing the bitterness of the accepting suffering and embracing the bitterness of the world. God is not above us in our misery, but alongside us world. God is not above us in our misery, but alongside us in its darkness.in its darkness.


In one of the concentration camps of World War II, a In one of the concentration camps of World War II, a young Jewish boy hung, twisting and dying in a young Jewish boy hung, twisting and dying in a Gestapo noose.Gestapo noose.

From the crowd of his fellow Jews, forced to witness From the crowd of his fellow Jews, forced to witness the execution, came the cry, “Where is God now?” the execution, came the cry, “Where is God now?”

One of the crowd later wrote he felt inside him the One of the crowd later wrote he felt inside him the answer, “He is here, hanging in the noose.”answer, “He is here, hanging in the noose.”

This insight of God as fellow sufferer is also the This insight of God as fellow sufferer is also the Christian insight to the mystery of suffering.Christian insight to the mystery of suffering.


SummarySummary

What’s Been Going On?What’s Been Going On? A Universe of Space and TimeA Universe of Space and Time


13.7 billion years ago God began to create and sustain the universe of space and time

What’s Been Going On?What’s Been Going On? A Universe Other Than GodA Universe Other Than God


It is a developing, evolving universe, given by faithful and loving God the twin gifts of reliability and independence so it could be other than God, so it could make itself, be fruitful.

What’s Been Going On?What’s Been Going On? An Evolving, Fruitful UniverseAn Evolving, Fruitful Universe


In 13.7 billions years, it has evolved from an unimaginably hot plasma of quarks and gluons to a world of galaxies, stars, planets, saints and scientists.

What’s Been Going On?What’s Been Going On? A Universe Making ItselfA Universe Making Itself


It has evolved through processes involving the fruitful interplay of chance and necessity, within a range of potentialities defined by its Creator, and with providential interactions of its Creator through history.

What’s Been Going On?What’s Been Going On? A Universe of Rough EdgesA Universe of Rough Edges


Its freedom to make itself necessarily includes the rough edges of moral and physical evil, the prices that must be paid for the greater good of free will and free process

TopicsTopicsQuarks, Chaos, and ChristianityQuarks, Chaos, and Christianity

Jan 6:Jan 6: Is Anyone There? Is Anyone There? Jan 13:Jan 13: What’s Been Going On? What’s Been Going On? Jan 20:Jan 20: Annual Parish MeetingAnnual Parish Meeting Jan 27:Jan 27: Who are We? Who are We? Feb 3:Feb 3: Prayer and Miracles Prayer and Miracles Feb 10:Feb 10: How Will It End? How Will It End?

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