God and Nature

The claim of what nature is and what God is has become a battlefield that the believer and the unbeliever face when inquiring about what is around us and why/how. As we consider the certain claims let us keep in mind that truth cannot change, for if it did, the essence of what made something true could evolve to an entirely different “thing.” By necessity, something that is true MUST be true. For example, we assume nature inherently predisposes something to certain characteristics. It should not astound us then that when studying animals or humans in an empirical model, the model ought to highlight the native attributes of what is being studied.

Keeping this line of thinking in our process of examination let’s look at the following premises:

It may come as a surprise that belief in a beginning does not requite belief in a Beginner. The laws of nature allow the creation of the universe without the need for a creator. Quantum uncertainty, an aspect of physics known as quantum mechanics, allows the small but finite possibility of something coming into being from nothing.[1]

It very well could be that the universe came to be from nothing, but we must note that it is implied that the laws of nature were the cause of something coming out of nothing. So, before I proceed, let us establish the fact that there is no claim that something came out of nothing by nothing; for if it did, it would be an absurd universe. In an absurd universe it would be hard to find answers with an empirical system, because one would have to yield to the reality that the universe is of an absurd nature. It then logically follows that anything is possible including non-ordered/irrational events which would be almost impossible to follow or analyze. I also would like to point out that the writer talks about a finite possibility. If the possibility is finite then it is a possibility with limitations, but what are those limitations?

Can we consider the following?

There are, however, basic problems with the concept. First of all, quantum fluctuations are phenomena that relate to the laws of nature within our universe. The beginning of our universe marks the beginning of time, space, and matter. There is every indication that the big bang also marks the beginning of the laws of nature. If this is true, then prior to the existence of the universe there was no nature and therefore there were no laws of quantum mechanics by which to engender the needed quantum fluctuation.[2]

If this theory is correct then logic demands that the possibility of God is likely. If I were to presuppose that the laws of nature existed prior to the big bang (before matter, space, and time) I would still have to yield to the theory that there is something that transcends the current state of the universe. It may very well be that we will never know such a truth within our limited understanding. Even if we cannot know we should still attempt to know what we can know, and use the tools that we have at our disposal. It is my opinion that theology can give a reasonable complement to science, as well as provide life to teleology. Even if I was able to harmonize the certain transcendent makeup of nature I would have no basis in assuming that we are here out of purpose. Rather, the laws of nature existed prior to the big bang and somehow proceeded to predispose the state of our universe. But even if this is true, it behooves the inquirer to wonder how laws were “just there.” Here, those who adhere to naturalism should yield to the certain fact that they have no purpose. Indeed, nature to my knowledge has never been observed and tested to show any elements of emotional/rational attachment to those things that are made from it (nature). On the other hand the Christian has Jesus Christ who shows us how much we matter to God. I am sure this is not a satisfying answer to some, but it might be a possible and reasonable answer none the less.


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[1] Gerald L. Schroeder, The Science of God (New York, Broadway Books, 1998), pp. 23-24.
[2] Gerald L. Schroeder, The Science of God (New York, Broadway Books, 1998), p. 24.