The God of String Theory?

In Isaacson's biography of Einstein he writes, "For some people, miracles serve as evidence of God's existence. For Einstein it was the absence of miracles that reflected divine providence. The fact that the cosmos is comprehensible, that it follows laws, is worthy of awe. This is the defining quality of a 'God who reveals himself in the harmony of all that exists.'"

There has been a ongoing debate in the western world ever since the voyage of the HMS Beagle which has been labeled Science vs. Religion. There has been a "vs." placed between these two world views as if they are mutually exclusive - as if the law of non-contradiction says there are only three options - the first is true while the second is false, the second is true while the first is false, or neither are true. You cannot have two opposing sides compete and have them both win.

The problem is, of course, that the "vs." presupposes that science and religion are on opposing sides. It assumes that to be on the religion side one must turn a voluntarily blind eye to science. Or, to be a scientist necessarily means that one's objectivity must not be tainted by the enemy that is religion.

I would say that the diametric debate is fundamentally flawed, and is dangerous to both sides.

Many of the students and scholars we work with at International Friendships are scientists. Most of them are from cultures that are gospel-resistant. It is no secret that Asian students excel at the pure maths and sciences - they can out-study their American peers 10 to 1. While their ability to innovate and “think outside the box” is discouraged by their educational system, their emphases on numbers and processes in undeniable.

I was involved in a Bible study with one such Asian scientist who, with his Ph.D. in some discipline of biology, is employed at our University as a cancer researcher. When asked why he enjoyed being a part of a Bible study group his response was, “I am a scientist. I know that science is limited - it can’t explain everything. I think the Bible and God may be able to explain what science cannot.” Not all scientists approach their field with this sort of humility. It is the short-sighted arrogance of many scientists that has fueled the fire of this debate (and the short-sighted arrogance of many preachers hasn't helped either).

Another international friend of mine is a string theorist (see above photo for clarification on...well...nothing).

In multiple conversations with him and even scouring the “String Theory for Dummies” website I can safely say that I have no idea what the basic premise even is. String theorists do make some pretty audacious claims, though. String theorists call it “a self-contained mathematical model that describes all fundamental forces and forms of matter.” The famous physicist Stephen Hawking said that string theory, “is the only candidate for a complete theory of the universe.” Some even say that it could be the theory of everything.

Does a belief in the God of the Bible contradict a belief in string theory as a “theory of everything?” As my string theorist friend and I have begun to study the Bible together do I have to take a strong stand and tell him that my world view (based on the Bible as God’s Word and as ultimate truth), and his world view (that physics may be able to explain the universe) are incompatible?

Absolutely not!

Just as the cancer researcher has stated that God may be able to explain what science cannot, we Bible believers must also embrace science as having the keys to unlock some of God’s greatest mysteries - and even God’s greatest wonders! Yes, I believe God is sovereign over all creation. I believe he is beyond science and that he can and has defied the scientific “laws” that govern this universe. I believe that He wrote those laws. I believe that He can be found in those laws, and that he “reveals himself in the harmony of all that exists.” God created within humanity the ability to unlock the mysteries of the genetic code, to discover antibiotics, to invent open-heart surgery, and maybe someday to even cure cancer or prove string theory. And to God be the glory! If we on the religion side of the debate throw out the proverbial baby of science with the bathwater of the evolution debate then we are missing out on some of God's greatest displays of His majesty. Science needs religion. Religion needs science. My hope and prayer is that my scientist friends will meet Jesus, that their faith will be enhanced by their science, and that their science will be enhanced by their faith.