Posted on 12/05/2008 9:02:48 AM PST by GodGunsGuts
Aided by a supercomputer, an international team of theoretical physicists has recently performed a massive computation that confirmed Einstein’s famous formula E=mc2, which states that matter and energy interconvert. Their research appears in the November 21, 2008, edition of the journal Science.
The study set out to provide a stronger theoretical basis for the Standard Model of particle physics. Part of this model holds that the protons and neutrons inside atomic nuclei are made of quarks and gluons, which are theoretical particles of energy. The researchers’ quantitative calculations agreed very closely with the experimental observations that “more than 99 percent of the mass of ordinary matter comes from protons and neutrons, and in turn about 95 percent of their mass comes from this confined energy.”1
Perhaps it is yet unknown what “confines” the energy, which thus produces mass, but this phenomenon seems consistent with ICR founder Dr. Henry M. Morris’ commentary on Genesis 1:2:
"The 'Spirit' (Hebrew ruach) of 'God' (Elohim) proceeded to 'move upon the face of the waters' (literally, 'vibrate in the presence of the waters'). Waves of gravitational energy and waves of electro-magnetic energy began to pulse forth from the great 'Breath' (another meaning of ruach) of God, the Prime Mover of the universe. The unformed 'earth' material (Hebrew eretz), as well as the 'waters' permeating it (Hebrew shamayim) quickly coalesced into spherical form under the new force of gravity, and the first material body (Planet Earth) had been formed at a point in space."2
Several points can be drawn from the biblical account of creation. Matter exists apart from God, as Genesis directly implies. Matter is not currently being created (just as the First Law of Thermodynamics states), since God ceased creative work on the seventh day.3 And with this new study, scientists seem to have strong evidence that matter is made of energy, even as God energized His creation as recorded in Genesis 1:2. If indeed the Spirit of the Creator was emanating vibrating energy into the primeval universe, then perhaps the material of the universe still consists of that energy.
The investigation of the structure of matter is a valid pursuit within the creationist worldview, and so far no information gleaned from this pursuit has shown anything but concurrence with the Word of the Maker.
References
(1) Dürr, S. et al. 2008. Ab Initio Determination of Light Hadron Masses. Science. 322 (5905): 1224-1227.
(2) Morris, H. 2006. The New Defender’s Study Bible. Nashville, TN: World Publishing, 8.
(3) Genesis 2:1-2.
I’m not saying that physics and religion should be compared... but many Physicists I know are very spiritual people.
and that says something, because physics is the purest science.
Especially when you can interpret the vague statements in Genesis any which way you like. Amazing!
I’m confused. Is godless science good or bad?
bump for later read
self-ping
I need to get that book out and dust it off. I bought it some time ago before I got seriously interested in creation cosmology. You are the second person to remind me that I have this book. Thank you!
Elohim is plural and means "gods", not "God"
It is also used in the singular.
Only in the case of the Bible because it conflicts with the One God Hypothesis. In Hebrew it is plural. Christians normally explain it away as the Trinity. Mormons think it refers to the head god, Jews just kind of skim over it and say that the suffix is plural everywhere else but the Torah.
Much of scientific discovery today leads to at least the possibility of a God. When scientists see only the opposite it is the result of their prejudice.
And because we are discussing the contents of the Bible, where is the problem? Or don't you believe that Elohim in this reference is the One True God?
It is an idiom technically referred to a plural of exaltation! I personally see the trinitarian implication.
Also, even when assuming the speed of light as a constant, Einstein's relativity principle puts the passage of time as relative to the observer....and the faster an observer is, the slower time will pass for him.
So, without violating any known laws of physics, it actually is possible for 14 Billion years (the guesstimated age of the Universe) to pass, and for an observer traveling at near the speed of light--6 literal 24-hour days to pass...
God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. (I John 1:5)
Father, Son, Holy Spirit = God in much the same way as the exutive, legislative, judicial = the federal government.
Elohim ceased creative work by the end of the sixth day. Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Not to put too fine a point on it.
Gen 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai
"The Tao of Physics" was a great book that I read while I was searching - since then I have become a Christian and can easily recognise the truth of physics in Genesis thanks to that book.
Re “elohim,” my teacher told me it was sorta like the royal “we.” Just an idiomatic thang.
Always glad to run into someone who can read Hebrew! Mind if I ping my Hebrew questions to you in the future?
“The unformed ‘earth’ material (Hebrew eretz), as well as the ‘waters’ permeating it (Hebrew shamayim) “
My Hebrew is very basic but “shamayim” is “heavens” not “waters”. “Mayim” = “waters”
Sounds very Chabadesque to me...
Good Shabbos all...
Finally some good news.
Interesting. So theoretical physics is correct when it agrees with the bible, but established geology and physics is incorrect when it disagrees with young earth creationism. This article is by the same guys who say the earth is no more than 10,000 years old, right?
bfl!
Actually, the pattern of our government comes not directly from the Trinity, but rather from a certain form of Church government. Madison, and several other founding fathers had a Princeton (College of NJ) education—when it was still a very Presbyterian school. “Presbyterian” by the way refers to rule by Elders...(just as America is supposed to ultimately (under God) be ruled by Congress).
Presbyterian church government is thus:
-Ruling Elders (the Session, elected, but makes all major church decisions)
-Teaching Elders (Pastors)
-Deacons (Service ministry—feeds the poor, helps widows, etc.)
These correspond to the
-Legislative
-Judicial
-Executive
branches of our consitutional government.
The Elders too, are REPRESENTATIVE as they are elected yes, but they represent the congregation in making decisions—just like our Congress is supposed to do.
Pastors, as ministers, are supposed to MINISTER the law of God (the Bible) by interpreting it to the people. Just as our Courts are supposed to interpret and apply the law for us.
Deacons are the active group, and actually get their hands dirty serving the physical and other needs of the people...(like a President is supposed to do).
In any other use “elohim” would mean gods. Many people believe that creation story in Genesis was borrowed from the Babylonians during the exile. The Babylonians believed in many gods. It is an discrepancy just like “Ur of the Chaldees” that shows a later date for the creation of the book of Genesis and a Babylonian origin.
...Jews just kind of skim over it...
It is an idiom technically referred to a plural of exaltation! I personally see the trinitarian implication.
.......
The dead sea scrolls include the book of Enoch. It remains in the text for Ethiopian Jews. The book has lots of angels and demons.
Maybe too many. Maybe too much Elohim.
The book —as well as the Book of Jubilee — was purged from from Jewish cannon sometime in the 2-4 centuries AD.
We could debate for hours about what many believe are inconsitencies, fabrications, origens etc. However, it boils down to whether or not YOU believe and what you do with that belief.
As I understand it: God was not alone in the “beginning” of our reality. God had already created many beings before He created our reality.
I don’t think GOd has a problem with hard science. But God does have a problem with mushy science.
So the TRUTH doesn't matter as long as you believe SOMETHING?
So the TRUTH doesn't matter as long as you believe SOMETHING?
Let me rephrase: do YOU believe the Word of God? Do YOU believe Jesus is the Christ - the Son of God? Do YOU believe God raised Him from the dead?
I try to believe in the truth. It is more difficult than believing in the ambient religion of the culture in which you are born, but I believe that the ratio between belief and truth should approximate unity. Jesus of Nazareth may be the "Christ" by self-definition. Is Jesus of Nazareth the son of God? Again if you allow self-definition, yes. Do I believe that God raised Jesus of Nazareth from the dead? No. I believe that raising from the biologically dead was impossible during the lifetime of Jesus of Nazareth, it's impossible now, but it may be possible in the future.
Hebrew exegesis bump.
That's the way I understand it. We were part of the Elohim waiting to pass through the flesh life. Genesis 1:2 should be translated "became" rather that "was", as in "...the earth became without form...". We were part of the angelic beings (Elohim) in the first age and a third followed Satan in his rebellion and so a test was required. The destruction of the way the earth was (...became void, and without form...) was required and then this flesh age is the test. Naturally, most of the Elohim had a high interest in what the test vehicles (our flesh bodies) would look like.
I appreciate your honesty and the sincerity of your answers. There has been much discussed about what is truth - even Jesus had a discussion with a leading theologian of His day on the subject but I’m sure you are well aware of that story in the Book of John.
I understand your dilemma. God’s Word is what we have to go on regarding His testimony about Himself.
I cannot prove or disprove to you Jesus and His resurrection - I do not possess the intellect to do that. I however, cannot deny in my own heart what that resurrection means to me or the peace that it has brought throughout my life. In essence that is the faith I have and each person on this earth must come to a point where they acknowledge or deny this resurrection. I pray you keep searching it out.
And then, one of my favorites: Gonzalez and Richards, The Privileged Planet:
How Our Place In The Cosmos Is Designed For Discovery
The video is available on Youtube. Must see!
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