Joel Anderson wrote:
"The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from Yahweh. Proverbs 16:33 WEB"
Thank you Joel for the reference.
Don Page wrote:
' If one were even more speculative and apply interpretiveprinciples to
Scripture that I do not really think are valid, one could say thatthe "every
decision" part of the verse supports the Everett many-worlds interpretationof
quantum mechanics, that every dynamically allowed result really doesoccur (so
long as there is not a precise cancellation of the amplitude by destructive
interference), each in a different one of the "many worlds," so thatthe entire
evolution is deterministic. In a theistic interpretation, Godwould be
determining the complete quantum evolution and its complete set of'many
worlds' with their associated quantum amplitudes. But, temptingthough this
interpretation is to someone like me who likes the 'many-worlds' versionof
quantum mechanics for avoiding any ontological randomness or indeterminacy(an
issue discussed by Moorad Alexanian and George Andrews Dec. 3 as well),I must
admit that I don't really believe reading this Everett interpretationinto
Proverbs 16:33 is exactly what either God or the writer had in mind. (If it
were, it would be a point lost on almost all readers, and I don't believethe
Scripture was written with obscure truths that would only be understoodby
scientific specialists.)'
Don, why do we need determinism - in a strict "bottom up" sense - inthe universe? Could you imagine with me a God who would create a universewith an innate tendency toward novelty through genuine chance? Ithink you would agree that THAT would be at least interesting; even toan omniscient Being! Would this infringe upon God's omniscience?
Perhaps some of our theologian friends could comment on the notion ofGod self limiting Him/Hersef. Do we see this in the incarnation or in Godlosing the wrestling match to Jacob? Perhaps God has granted a measureof genuine freedom to nature in order to interact with - as well as observe.Of course, as scripture is a clear record of, He always governsand even destroys through judgment, influence, limiting and redeemingerrant bifurcation's in human history. So one could imagine a "topdown" causal relationship between God (through natural law?) and with therandomly fluctuations presently observed in nature.
Just having some fun, since the semester is ending and my mind is idling.
God be pleased in all we are;
George
--
George Andrews Jr.
Assistant Professor Physics
LeTourneau University
andrewsg@letu.edu