quarks, chaos, and christianity how will it end? sunday, february 10, 2008 10 to 10:50 am, in the...

Quarks, Chaos, and Quarks, Chaos, and ChristianityChristianity

How Will It End?How Will It End?

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

Bring us, O Lord, at our last awakening Bring us, O Lord, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven, to into the house and gate of heaven, to enter into that gate and dwell in that enter into that gate and dwell in that house; where there shall be no house; where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light; no noise nor silence, but one light; no noise nor silence, but one equal music; no fears nor hopes, but equal music; no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession; no ends nor one equal possession; no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity; in beginnings, but one equal eternity; in the habitation of thy glory and the habitation of thy glory and dominion, world without end.dominion, world without end.

- John Donne- John Donne

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, 2005, Crossroad, 2005, Chapter 7 “How Chapter 7 “How Will It End”Will It End”

Primary Primary ReferenceReference

The God of Hope The God of Hope and the End of and the End of the Worldthe World, John , John Polkinghorne, Polkinghorne, Yale University Yale University Press, 2002Press, 2002

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

Features of the Present Features of the Present CreationCreation

The Present CreationThe Present CreationInsights from Natural ScienceInsights from Natural Science

If we understand the universe as God’s If we understand the universe as God’s creation, then its characteristics found from the creation, then its characteristics found from the physical sciences must be reflections of the physical sciences must be reflections of the Creator’s will (albeit at times pale reflections)Creator’s will (albeit at times pale reflections)

What do we see?What do we see? 1. Process1. Process 2. Relationality2. Relationality 3. Information3. Information 4. Mathematics4. Mathematics

The Present CreationThe Present Creation1. Process1. Process

We live in an We live in an evolving, evolving, fruitful, fruitful, universe; a universe; a universe universe changing changing dramatically dramatically over time.over time.


a universe of saints and scientists

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


This fruitful, evolutionary character of the universe can be understood theologically as a creation endowed by its Creator with a profound potentiality.

God has allowed the Creation to explore this potentiality and thereby “make itself.”

God is a loving God, not a tyrannical puppeteer, and is willing to achieve God’s purposes in a way that allows the creation and ourselves to collaborate.

The Present CreationThe Present Creation2. Relationality2. Relationality

Newtonian physics painted a “common sense” picture of a fundamental world of individuals (particles, objects, people) existing in absolute space, moving through absolute time.

Modern physics paints a picture of a far stranger world that is more holistic and relational: Space and time are a single fabric.

Gravity for example deforms space-time (space and time). The “space-time interval” and not the time between events is

absolute. The time of an event is relative, and varies for observers moving at

different speeds. Two events that are simultaneous for one observer will NOT be

simultaneous for another observer moving at a different speed.

The Present CreationThe Present Creation2. Relationality2. Relationality

Modern physics paints a picture of a far stranger world that is more holistic and relational: On a quantum level, particles that have interacted become

“entangled,” – in a fundamental way they become connected, and remain a single entity no matter how separated they are in space and time.

This is called the EPR Effect = Quantum Entanglement = Quantum Nonlocality

On a macroscopic level, most physical systems are “clouds” rather than “clocks.” That is: they show extreme sensitivity to initial conditions.

Whether or not a butterfly in Africa flaps its wings can dramatically effect the weather pattern in North America a week later.

Systems with extreme sensitivity to initial conditions are studied in Chaos Theory

The Present CreationThe Present Creation3. Information3. Information

“More is different.” Complex systems have coherent behaviors and properties that cannot be guessed at or derived from the knowledge of their constituent parts. The way the component particles are arranged and

patterned to form the complex system – the “information” of the complex system – appears to be as “fundamental” as the energies and states of the component particles.

There may be “top-down” forms of causality (the whole influences the parts) as well as the classic “bottom-up” causality (the parts influence the whole)

Aristotle spoke of both matter (byle) and form (eidos). In an analogous way, modern science is beginning to speak about both energy and information / pattern.

The Present CreationThe Present Creation3. Information3. Information

We will use this concept of “information / pattern” later to better understand the “soul.”

The Present CreationThe Present Creation4. Mathematics4. Mathematics

It is remarkable that it is possible for us to It is remarkable that it is possible for us to scientifically understand the world in a scope and scientifically understand the world in a scope and breadth that is breadth that is far beyondfar beyond what we need for survival. what we need for survival. Einstein: Einstein: “The only incomprehensible thing about “The only incomprehensible thing about

the universe is that it's comprehensible.”the universe is that it's comprehensible.” This strange and marvelous power has been largely This strange and marvelous power has been largely

due to mathematics.due to mathematics. Physicist have learned to look for beautiful Physicist have learned to look for beautiful

mathematical equations in formulating their theories.mathematical equations in formulating their theories.


The universe, in its rational beauty and transparency, The universe, in its rational beauty and transparency, looks like a world shot through with signs of mind – looks like a world shot through with signs of mind – the “capital M” Mind of God.the “capital M” Mind of God.

Beautiful mathematics manifests itself in the structure Beautiful mathematics manifests itself in the structure of the physical world (the of the physical world (the “reason without”“reason without”), and is ), and is comprehended and appreciated by us (the comprehended and appreciated by us (the “reason “reason within”within”) because they ) because they bothboth have a common origin in have a common origin in the reason of the Creator, who is the ground of all that the reason of the Creator, who is the ground of all that is.is.


Mathematics may also be a tangible hint of a Mathematics may also be a tangible hint of a reality we participate in that is outside the reality we participate in that is outside the physical world.physical world.

The majority of mathematicians are Platonists.The majority of mathematicians are Platonists. Most mathematicians will attest that they do not Most mathematicians will attest that they do not

feel they are creating mathematics, but rather that feel they are creating mathematics, but rather that they are discovering something that has an they are discovering something that has an independent existence in a “Platonic” reality independent existence in a “Platonic” reality outside them.outside them.

from: The Road to Reality. A Complete Guide to the Laws of the

Universe, Roger Penrose, p. 18

The Fate of the Present The Fate of the Present CreationCreation

Fate of the Present CreationFate of the Present CreationEinstein’s General RelativityEinstein’s General Relativity

Einstein’s General Theory Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity superseded of Relativity superseded Newton’s Theory of Newton’s Theory of Gravity.Gravity.

Mass and energy bends Mass and energy bends space-time:space-time:

Geometry of Space-

Time= 8G x Mass and

energy

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)


Mass and energy Mass and energy bends space-time.bends space-time.

The resultant The resultant curvature of space-curvature of space-time gives rise to the time gives rise to the trajectories associated trajectories associated with gravitywith gravity


A few physicists and A few physicists and mathematicians applied mathematicians applied General Relativity to the General Relativity to the entire universe, and found entire universe, and found General Relativity predicted General Relativity predicted an expanding universe.an expanding universe.

Among them was Among them was Fr. Fr. Georges LemaitreGeorges Lemaitre, a , a Belgian Jesuit priest and Belgian Jesuit priest and astronomer, who was the astronomer, who was the first to propose a theory of first to propose a theory of an expanding universe an expanding universe beginning from the beginning from the “Primeval Atom”“Primeval Atom” (later to (later to be called be called “The Big Bang”“The Big Bang”))Father Georges Lemaitre (1894-1966)Father Georges Lemaitre (1894-1966)


Einstein preferred a static universe, Einstein preferred a static universe, and privately dismissed Lemaitre’s and privately dismissed Lemaitre’s theory. Instead, he added a weak but theory. Instead, he added a weak but diffuse antigravity force (“the diffuse antigravity force (“the Cosmological Constant”)Cosmological Constant”) to to General Relativity so it could be General Relativity so it could be consistent with a static universe.consistent with a static universe.

When Edwin Hubble found When Edwin Hubble found experimental evidence for an experimental evidence for an expanding universe, Einstein expanding universe, Einstein removed the “cosmological removed the “cosmological constant” from the equations of constant” from the equations of General Relativity, calling it the General Relativity, calling it the greatest blunder of his career. He greatest blunder of his career. He publicly endorsed Lemaitre’s theory.publicly endorsed Lemaitre’s theory.

Edwin Hubble (1889-1953)


Expansion of space compared to the expansion of raisin bread as it bakes

Fate of the Present CreationFate of the Present CreationDeath by Fire or by IceDeath by Fire or by Ice

According to General Relativity, the fate of the According to General Relativity, the fate of the universe, as well as its geometry (shape), universe, as well as its geometry (shape), depend on how the average density of the depend on how the average density of the universe compares to a certain “critical universe compares to a certain “critical density” calculated from General Relativity.density” calculated from General Relativity. If If greater thangreater than the critical density, the universe’s the critical density, the universe’s

expansion will come to a halt, and then it will expansion will come to a halt, and then it will contract back to a death in a contract back to a death in a fiery “Big Crunch”fiery “Big Crunch”

If If less than or equal toless than or equal to the critical density, the the critical density, the universe’s expansion will continue forever at a universe’s expansion will continue forever at a slower and slower rate. It will die slower and slower rate. It will die “in ice.”“in ice.”


“Big Crunch” or“Gnab Gib”


One of the primary missions of the Hubble space One of the primary missions of the Hubble space telescope was to determine telescope was to determine how quickly the how quickly the expansion rate was slowingexpansion rate was slowing, and thereby determine , and thereby determine the geometry and fate of the universethe geometry and fate of the universe


In 1998, two independent In 1998, two independent groups reported the first groups reported the first results of Hubble space results of Hubble space telescope observations on telescope observations on the rate of expansion of the rate of expansion of the universe, determined the universe, determined from measuring the from measuring the apparent brightness of apparent brightness of distant type Ia distant type Ia supernovae.supernovae.

The results shocked the The results shocked the scientific community.scientific community.


NeitherNeither of the two predicted of the two predicted possibilities were correctpossibilities were correct

Rather than slowing down, Rather than slowing down, the expansion rate was the expansion rate was increasing, acceleratingincreasing, accelerating


To reconcile General To reconcile General Relativity to the Relativity to the accelerating expansion of accelerating expansion of the universe, physicists had the universe, physicists had to to put backput back the the anti-anti-gravity “cosmological gravity “cosmological constant”constant” that Einstein that Einstein had removed.had removed.

The universe is filled by a The universe is filled by a diffuse anti-gravity force diffuse anti-gravity force that is causing its that is causing its expansion to accelerate, expansion to accelerate, now called now called “Dark “Dark Energy”Energy” (rather than (rather than “cosmological constant”)“cosmological constant”)

Fate of the Present CreationFate of the Present CreationDeath by IceDeath by Ice

The nature of “Dark Energy” is unknown, and The nature of “Dark Energy” is unknown, and is generally felt to be the greatest unsolved is generally felt to be the greatest unsolved problem in physics.problem in physics.

Our accelerating universe will die “in ice,” and Our accelerating universe will die “in ice,” and far more quickly then we previously thought far more quickly then we previously thought possible.possible.

All evidence of humanity, of life, will be All evidence of humanity, of life, will be obliterated. The present creation is destined to obliterated. The present creation is destined to ultimate futility.ultimate futility.

The New CreationThe New Creation

The New CreationThe New CreationReality of DeathReality of Death

The stark scientific reality that the entire The stark scientific reality that the entire present creation is destined to die in tens of present creation is destined to die in tens of billions of years does not pose a theological billions of years does not pose a theological problem greatly different than stark reality of problem greatly different than stark reality of our own death within tens of years.our own death within tens of years.

Our only true and lasting hope must rest in the Our only true and lasting hope must rest in the eternal being of God.eternal being of God.

What is that hope?What is that hope?

The New CreationThe New CreationScriptureScripture

Jesus answered the Sadducees lack of belief in Jesus answered the Sadducees lack of belief in a resurrection by recalling:a resurrection by recalling: [God] said to Moses “I am the God of Abraham, [God] said to Moses “I am the God of Abraham,

and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” He is and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” He is not God of the dead, but of the living; you are not God of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.” (Mark 12:26-27)quite wrong.” (Mark 12:26-27)

The New CreationThe New CreationScriptureScripture

Near the end of Revelation, we read this description Near the end of Revelation, we read this description of the New Creation:of the New Creation: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first

heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4 order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4 NRSV)NRSV)

The New CreationThe New CreationPersonhood and the SoulPersonhood and the Soul

Just as God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Just as God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of the living, so too God is our God, and God the God of the living, so too God is our God, and God will not cease to love us as will not cease to love us as livingliving beings when our beings when our life in this present creation ends.life in this present creation ends.

But what can connect our present life to our future But what can connect our present life to our future life in a New Creation?life in a New Creation?

What can assure us that it is Abraham, Isaac and What can assure us that it is Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that are alive in the kingdom of God, and not Jacob that are alive in the kingdom of God, and not just some new beings with old names?just some new beings with old names?


One option has been to imagine our “true selves” to One option has been to imagine our “true selves” to be in a “detachable” soul that has been temporarily be in a “detachable” soul that has been temporarily imprisoned in a corrupt body. At death, this imprisoned in a corrupt body. At death, this detachable soul is finally liberated to be with God.detachable soul is finally liberated to be with God.

Science gives little support to such a concept:Science gives little support to such a concept: We are a product of a gradual, painstaking evolution from We are a product of a gradual, painstaking evolution from

the stuff of the universe – matter.the stuff of the universe – matter. There is a deep connection between our minds and our There is a deep connection between our minds and our

physical bodies.physical bodies. Science in other words, suggests that we are closer to Science in other words, suggests that we are closer to

“animated bodies” than “incarnated souls.”“animated bodies” than “incarnated souls.”


The view that we are “animated bodies,” mind-body The view that we are “animated bodies,” mind-body (“psychosomatic”) unities is also more in line with (“psychosomatic”) unities is also more in line with the Hebrew scriptures.the Hebrew scriptures.

What then gives us continuity into the next life –What then gives us continuity into the next life – and in this life for that matter? After all, the molecules of and in this life for that matter? After all, the molecules of

our bodies are getting continually replaced in the course of our bodies are getting continually replaced in the course of wear and tear, eating and drinking.wear and tear, eating and drinking.

What is the “real me” that links the young child with What is the “real me” that links the young child with the aged octogenarian? the aged octogenarian?


Polkinghorne suggests the “real me,” the “soul,” must be the Polkinghorne suggests the “real me,” the “soul,” must be the immensely complicated “pattern” in which our ever changing immensely complicated “pattern” in which our ever changing molecules are organized. molecules are organized. This idea recalls science’s nascent recognition of the importance of This idea recalls science’s nascent recognition of the importance of

“information / patterns” in complex systems.“information / patterns” in complex systems. When we die, God fully remembers and sustains the When we die, God fully remembers and sustains the

information-bearing pattern (our “soul”) that is our “true information-bearing pattern (our “soul”) that is our “true selves,” and will re-embody this pattern in the New Creation.selves,” and will re-embody this pattern in the New Creation. A crude analogy (because we are more than computers made of meat): A crude analogy (because we are more than computers made of meat):

God remembers and sustains our “software,” and will load it into the God remembers and sustains our “software,” and will load it into the hardware of the New Creation.hardware of the New Creation.

Another analogy: God remembers the information bearing pattern of Another analogy: God remembers the information bearing pattern of ourselves analogous to the patterning stored in Star Trek’s transport ourselves analogous to the patterning stored in Star Trek’s transport beams, and will re-materialize it using the matter of the New Creation.beams, and will re-materialize it using the matter of the New Creation.

The New CreationThe New CreationCosmic HopeCosmic Hope

It is not only ourselves that God cares for, but It is not only ourselves that God cares for, but God surely cares for all creatures and all God surely cares for all creatures and all created things in accordance with their natures.created things in accordance with their natures. Could God allow anything that is good to perish?Could God allow anything that is good to perish? Therefore, there must be a destiny for the whole Therefore, there must be a destiny for the whole

universe beyond its death.universe beyond its death. Indeed, as embodied creatures made of matter, our Indeed, as embodied creatures made of matter, our

own destiny and the destiny of matter must be own destiny and the destiny of matter must be intimately linked.intimately linked.


In Romans, St Paul speaks of redemption as including In Romans, St Paul speaks of redemption as including the entire creation:the entire creation: For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing

of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:19-23 adoption, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:19-23 NRSV)NRSV)

(Also see Colossians 1:15-20)(Also see Colossians 1:15-20)


The significance of the empty tomb in Jesus’ The significance of the empty tomb in Jesus’ resurrection is that Jesus’ glorified body is the resurrection is that Jesus’ glorified body is the transmuted form of his dead body.transmuted form of his dead body. That is: That is: matter itselfmatter itself participated in the participated in the

resurrection transformation, enjoying a foretaste of resurrection transformation, enjoying a foretaste of its own redemption from decay.its own redemption from decay.

The New CreationThe New CreationNew Versus OldNew Versus Old

Just as Jesus’ glorified, resurrected body came from Just as Jesus’ glorified, resurrected body came from the transformed matter of the old body, so too then the transformed matter of the old body, so too then New Creation will come from the transformed matter New Creation will come from the transformed matter of the old creation.of the old creation. Such a transformation allows the continuity of the Old Such a transformation allows the continuity of the Old

Creation into the New Creation.Creation into the New Creation. Because it is a transformation of the old creation, and Because it is a transformation of the old creation, and

because God is a God of “process,” we can expect because God is a God of “process,” we can expect something like space and time will be preserved in something like space and time will be preserved in the New Creation.the New Creation. Our new lives will not exist in a static or a timeless Our new lives will not exist in a static or a timeless

eternity, but within a dynamic, changing everlastingnesseternity, but within a dynamic, changing everlastingness


Just as the risen Jesus was no mere resuscitated Just as the risen Jesus was no mere resuscitated corpse, so too the New Creation will not be a mere corpse, so too the New Creation will not be a mere repetition of the old creation:repetition of the old creation: The current creation was endowed with physical properties The current creation was endowed with physical properties

that allowed it to “make itself” over the course of its that allowed it to “make itself” over the course of its evolving history.evolving history.

The New Creation will be integrated in a new and intimate The New Creation will be integrated in a new and intimate way with the divine life. It will be wholly sacramental, way with the divine life. It will be wholly sacramental, suffused with the presence of the life of God.suffused with the presence of the life of God.


The New Creation will not be boring. Its life The New Creation will not be boring. Its life will be the exciting and inexhaustible will be the exciting and inexhaustible exploration of the riches of the divine life, and exploration of the riches of the divine life, and of the transformed New Creation suffused with of the transformed New Creation suffused with God.God.

The wounds of this life will be healed, its The wounds of this life will be healed, its unfinished business completed – and new unfinished business completed – and new business begun.business begun.

The New CreationThe New CreationConclusionConclusion

““Speculative as this chapter has been, I think it is an Speculative as this chapter has been, I think it is an indispensable part of coherent Christian belief to indispensable part of coherent Christian belief to expect a destiny beyond death, for ourselves and for expect a destiny beyond death, for ourselves and for the universe. Rich and fruitful as this world is, I do the universe. Rich and fruitful as this world is, I do not think that it and its history make sense if they are not think that it and its history make sense if they are the only story to be told. In the end, I suppose, the the only story to be told. In the end, I suppose, the best answer to our questions about the ultimate future best answer to our questions about the ultimate future is ‘Wait and see.’ I believe we can do so, confident in is ‘Wait and see.’ I believe we can do so, confident in the faithfulness of a God who will not allow anything the faithfulness of a God who will not allow anything good to be lost.”good to be lost.”

- Polkinghorne, p. 114- Polkinghorne, p. 114

quarks, chaos, and christianity how will it end? sunday, february 10, 2008 10 to 10:50 am, in the...

Documents

cambridge university

john donne slide

mathematics slide

numerous papers

phd physics

david monyak slide

gods creation

present creation insights