"Quantum Christianity: The Intersection of Science & Scripture" by Dr. Robi Sonderegger

(Source: City Harvest Church news bulletin, May 24 - 25, 2014)

"To understand the compatibility of science and scripture, we need to ask seven important questions.

Question 1: What exactly is faith?
Christians are often challenged to prove that God exists using the framework of science to do so. This framework requires evidence: empirically derived data that supports the hypothesis of God's existence. But without having access to "empirical data", many use "faith" as a get-out-of-jail-free card, saying, "No one can prove or disprove God, but that's what faith is for." However, faith is not just belief in something that has no evidence; rather, faith is based on evidence (despite not having seen it). 

Hebrews (11:1 & 3) puts it like this: "Now faith is the substance of things not seen ... the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible" (NKJV). There is often no evidence for the empirical truth in the scripture until someone believes. For example, it is by faith that we observe tangible change in our lives. Unlike the common saying "I'll believe it when I see it", when it comes to scripture, the truth is, you will see it when you believe it. However, did you know that science works in exactly the same way?

All observable "matter" is made up of atoms. Atoms form molecules, and molecules form every type of material object in the universe, whether living or non-living. Anything that can be measured, tested, manipulated and replicated in any field of science (from biology to physics) is made up of a sub-atomic substance that is unseen and unknown. Yet in faith, scientists will argue its existence and measure it all the same. In this way, both science and scripture operate according to the same fundamental tenets of ... FAITH!

Question 2: What's an atom?
You might think you know what an atom looks like because you saw an artists's impression in your high school science textbook. But in reality, the picture of orbiting lines around a central dot is not what an atom looks like. Likewise, you might think you know what is in an atom: a nucleus with electrons whizzing around it. But in reality, the main substance in an atom is neither the nucleus nor electrons. What does an atom look like? It actually looks like nothing because an atom is made up of 99.9999% of something that is non-matter and unseen. An atom is only 0.0001% observable matter; yet everything in the material world is made up of atoms. This confirms the scripture" "things, which are seen, are made of things, which are unseen" (Hebrews 11:3). This leads us to our next question:

Question 3: What's the unseen stuff in the 'space' of an atom?
At the sub-atomic level, atoms contain light particle waves packages of intelligent energy. This intelligent quantum light is what forms atoms and in turn, every material object in our universe. Quite simply, every single observable thing on our material world is made up of solidified light. Quantum physics now knows that before any material thing can come into existence, light first needs to be present. That's fascinating because in the very beginning, before anything was created, God said ... "let there be light" (Genesis 1:3 KJV). Even before the sun, moon and stars were created on the fourth day, light already existed.

Question 4: How could light exist before the sun existed?
C.S.Lewis is famous for saying: "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." In the same way,light doesn't exist because of the sun; the sun exists because of light. Because light is the force that keeps electrons tiled to the nuclei of atoms, apart from light, the sun cannot exist. More broadly stated, this mysterious light is what holds everything in the universe together.

Colossians (1:16-17) states something very similar about the "Light of the world", Jesus" "For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible ... all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (NIV).

Question 5: So what exactly is this light?
By faith, Christians believe God not only created the visible things we see, but also the things we don't see. In the same way, by faith, quantum physicists believe all things we see in our physical world are held together by an unseen, non-material light-intelligence that operates outside of time and space. That to me me is every interesting because an unseen non-material realm that underpins or influences material things is otherwise called "spirit". Spirit is an unseen, non-material super force that operates outside of time and space. Spirit is not natural, it's supernatural!

Question 6: If this sub-atomic intelligent light is unseen, then how do we know that it exists?
A sub-atomic particle of light energy is not something we can casually observe. The only way to see a quantum particle inside an atom is to consciously look for it. That's right, sub-atomic light only exists in an unseen state (within a probability wave) until someone seeks it. At the moment the scientist looks for it, the unseen wave of probability collapses, causing the quantum particle to briefly be seen. The unseen light energy is momentarily manifested into a particle of observable light. Quite simply, a sub-atomic particles doesn't exist materially until a person conscious endeavours to find it. Interestingly, the same quantum laws apply to man's search for God.

Question 7: If God is unseen, then how do we know that He exists?
Just like quantum physics, people can talk about the probability of God and debate His existence within the field of all possibilities without ever getting a single glimpse of Him. It's not until we seek after and consciously focus our attention on Him, the wave of probability collapses, sending ripples of certainty through our hearts and minds. He becomes our reality the moment we consciously enter a relationship with Him. Through faith, our eyes are opened to see the way, the truth, and the life. The Bible's promise is simply this: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks find; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened" (Matthew 7:7, 8 NIV).

Rather than science and scripture being incompatible and at opposite ends of the intellectual spectrum, the foundation of both scripture and science is a common thirst for truth -- founded on the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. When, in faith, we seek to find answers to the big questions in life, we discover just how complementary science and scripture really are."



(Dr. Robi Sonderegger is a renowned Clinical Psychologist and is best known as a compelling,  passionate and highly entertaining presenter. He delivers hundreds of keynote presentations and workshops to tens-of-thousands of participants each year and is widely published in both the scientific and popular press. Dr. Robi is also the Chief Executive of Family Challenge Australia; a nationally registered mental health charity that provides specialist psychology services in Australia and throughout the world.) 

Faith has a voice

Recently, the Holy Spirit spurred me to have a made-up mind to believe the Word of God before I even start to pray. What's the point of praying when there is unbelief? As a matter of fact, when we demonstrate unbelief it is akin to calling God a liar. Yes, it's that bad.

It's time for us to humble ourselves before God and take Him at His Word; God is not a man that He should lie. And, it's time for us to restore the fear of the LORD even in the House of the LORD. Let God be God, and mortals be mortals -- saved only by the Grace of God.

When God has said it and it is settled in my heart that His truth will prevail, I can pray believing that God hear and answer prayers if I pray according to His will and do not ask amiss of what's His best for me.

As I pray believing, I am reminded further by the Holy Spirit to pray audibly for my own hearing. While there is a time and place for contemplative praying, I find that praying aloud even during my own Quiet Time yield tremendous effect in the invisible or spirit realm. Our Words are powerful according to the Scripture!

When we speak the Word of God appropriately in our specific prayers, by having regard to the full counsel of God's Word, it is just as God is speaking His Words for accomplishment. For example, instead of just praying for me, myself and I, I could try praying along the line of being blessed in my career so that I could be a blessing to my family, employer, relatives, community and the Kingdom of God.

We can learn much from Solomon's prayer at Gibeon. As outlined by Pastor Jim Cymbala in his book "Breakthrough Prayers":

1. Solomon approached God first with thanks and praise (1 Kings 3:7a);

2. Solomon prayed with great humility (1 Kings 3:7b);

3. Solomon defined himself as God's servant, ready to do His will; and

4. Solomon asked for a blessing that would bless God's people.

Mind you, King Solomon did not just think his prayer but said it out. When Hannah was praying for her breakthrough to conceive a child even though her voice was not heard, her lips moved! (1 Samuel 1:13) Also, hadn't Jesus said to speak to our mountains rather than think away our problems?

As we bless others or cast all our cares upon Jesus through prayers, let's demonstrate faith by moving our lips or making our prayers audible to ourselves, i.e., the ears of our inner man. 

Faith a voice. Let God hear our voice!

  

"Nothing Is Impossible with God" by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Just rest your eyes from reading and click here to enjoy this powerful audio-visual rendition of Nothing Is Impossible With God by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

God bless.

Testimony of Judith Halim

Judith Halim's journey was very tough ... she persevered and passed her trials or tests, and she can now share her testimony of God's grace. Click here to listen to her powerful testimony.

As I listened to her testimony during a recent cell group meeting, Hebrews 11:6 came forth as rhema to me.

 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

Yes, let us be very clear that without faith, it is absolutely not possible for us to please God. Impossible; no way! Given good parents, children would readily believe and lay hold of their parent's words or promises and would not call the parent a liar.

Sadly, many adults do not approach God in childlike faith and demonstrate unbelief rather than faith by their very actions. Boy (girl), we are gonna to so miss out on the goodness God when we lean on our own understanding rather than trust God. 

Judith kept on trusting God and pursue the truth of God's Word such as:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

When we face impossible situations or need help, we can come boldly to God's throne of grace to ask Him for our needs. But, if we can't believe that God is who He says He is and we magnify our problems rather than God, we are dishonouring Him unwittingly. We are saying, by our actions, that God is not good enough for us.

But, if we can believe and seek Him diligently, boy, o, boy, we are gonna be rewarded! When we honour God by our faith, He will honour us. Remember, faith is the currency of heaven.

How then shall we seek God in prayer? In his book "Break Through Prayer" (page 92 -93), Pastor Jim Cymbala writes: The first rule of prayer is not "faith", but whether the request is according to God's will. Let's not forget the LORD still sits on His throne as ruler of the universe. 

He went on to say that we can count on two clear and powerful promises that leave no question about God's will, namely:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (NKJV)

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)

As a matter of fact and as reminded by an intercessor friend of mine, the LORD's Prayer (The Model Prayer as NKJV captioned it) would be an ideal framework for us to use when approaching the throne of God's grace on our knees:

The Model Prayer (Matthew 6:5-13; NKJV)

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." 

Make no doubt, God keeps His promises willingly. As George Mueller has observed, "Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of God's willingness."

Let's take heart and keep on praying on for our breakthroughs in the light of God's word and His goodness and so much more (Love, Grace, and so forth). Hallelujah! In anticipation of answered prayers.

Encountering God in His Word

This article "Encountering God in His Word" was written way back in 2010. Please click here to read and be blessed in Jesus's Name.