RE: [asa] Loop quantum gravity

George, I do not really see how a mathematical model of the universe can
contain God nor make implications about Him. The model, no matter how
good its predictions, does not really describe the universe fully nor
how it came into neither existence nor what sustains it. These latter
metaphysical questions are the ones that deal with a Creator God.

Moorad

________________________________

From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of George Murphy
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 8:45 AM
To: David Opderbeck; asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: [asa] Loop quantum gravity

Loop theory, as well as other approaches to quantum grabity, are
discussed in Lee Smolin, Three Roads to Quantum Gravity (Basic, 2001).
My review of it is in the March 2003 issue of PSCF.

One major problem of classical general relativity is that its big bang
cosmological models are incomplete. (This is often described by saying
that the theory breaks down "at t = 0" but that is inaccurate. The
problem is that there is no "t = 0" - space-time is incomplete.) There
is a possibility that a correct quantum theory of gravitation will
eliminate this problem and make it possible to understand the big bang
as having a beginning that can be described by scientific laws. The
extent to which this is the case will help to indicate how deeply God is
hidden in the process.

That of course assumes that the God we're talking about is the God
revealed in Christ whose actions are characterized by kenosis. If one
is just interested in a general theism then it can be pointed out that
even a correct theory of quantum gravity will leave unexplained why the
entities which the theory assumes (loops or whatever) exist & have the
properties they do. Any scientific attenpt to explain why something
rather than nothing exists is futile, for science has to assume
something. But this does not mean, OTOH, that we have a proof of the
existence of some deity.

Shalom
George
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/

        ----- Original Message -----

        From: David Opderbeck <mailto:dopderbeck@gmail.com>

        To: asa@calvin.edu

        Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 9:56 PM

        Subject: [asa] Loop quantum gravity

        Is anyone familiar with this theory? What implications does it
have for theism?

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Received on Thu Nov 9 09:26:03 2006