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Topic: Space (01/23/06)
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TITLE: The final frontier (ii) | Previous Challenge Entry
By Michelle Vander Wal
01/27/06 -
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The television show Star Trek begins by saying that space is the “final frontier.” After all the realms of earth have been explored space will beckon us on further voyages of discovery. With the launch and successful landing of the Mars Rovers humanity is closer to that reality. But what is space? Many physicists believe we can learn just as much about space in a laboratory as a shuttle. Quantum physics is exploring sub atomic space, the space which exists between atoms and their particles. They believe that answers to the nature of reality are just a likely to be found here on earth as out there in the greater universe.
Does this theoretical knowledge bring us any closer to God? Does the exploration of the nature of space leave room for faith? I believe it does. I personally theorize that quantum physics has opened the doors to a basic child like question, “Where is God?” Parents often answer in one of two ways. Either, “God is in heaven” or “God is everywhere.” Unfortunately for the child neither of those answers is verifiable to their senses. For an adult with a basic grasp of particle physics I think the answer could be that simple.
We understand from the Bible that God is everywhere, he is omni-present. We also know that he dwells in heaven. So how can God be everywhere on the earth and yet still dwell in heaven? The answer may lie in the space between everything that exists. Physicists have long held that there are at least four dimensions to the universe and possibly as many as ten. What if heaven was a dimension of the universe? What if the reality of God is everywhere is true because heaven exists everywhere, like an alternate reality along side our own, sharing the same space? Perhaps that space which we assume is empty is really filled with the heavenly realm.
A heaven that is coexistent with our reality would make it possible for God to break into the world anywhere and, theoretically, at any time. This would explain the appearance of God to select people in the Old Testament, the appearance of angels, the ascension of Jesus and a host of other super natural examples. One could go so far as to hypothesize that the glorified bodies we are promised at the Second Coming would be capable of traversing this dimensional barrier. The reference in Revelation 20-22 about heaven and earth coming together could also be explained with this theory. Maybe the veil that is lifted is a barrier that prevents us from seeing heaven around us. When explaining the miracles of the Bible to unbelievers apologetics often points out that God does not work outside the laws of nature, he speeds them up or slows them down. The true nature of sub atomic space may show us another way that the hand of God operates.
Many Christians assume that science has nothing to teach us about the nature of God, ourselves and the universe other than practical applications like finding cures for disease. I believe there is room in physics for those brave enough to draw connection between science and what the Bible reveals about the nature of the spiritual realm. Where would this exploration possibly lead us? I don’t know. I do believe that the study of meta- physics could again become a valid science in our secular world. Studying space could take on a whole new meaning, going beyond our natural plane and into the realm of eternity. Many would suggest that some mysteries are better left alone and that if God wanted us to know these things he would tell us. Maybe he is telling us, in the same we discovered modern medicine. The question is do we have the faith to boldly go where no one has gone before?
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Thank you for sharing.