Are Parallel Universes Heretical?
I never watched The Golden Compass, except for this one trailer that really bugged me. After some introductory scenes, we cut to a university where some guy says, “I propose to discover a world, much like our own in a parallel universe,” when a tightwad sitting next to him angrily retorts, “THAT is HERESY!” (If I had written this film, the next line would involve the first guy kicking him into a black hole and standing over it yelling, “THIS IS SCIENCE!”)
Here’s the trailer, the part I mentioned starts at :50.
Why would a parallel universe be heresy? If such a thing existed I would be the first person in line to check it out, and I would laugh at anyone who thought something ungodly was going on.
First things first, however, I’ve never bought into the idea of parallel universes, or multiversal cosmology. There’s no evidence for it and not much fervor for it in the scientific community. (Not to mention, it normally makes for bad sci-fi – LOST being a notable exception to this.) It’s fun to talk about, but I don’t think the idea holds much water.
But, what if it were true? What if there are multiple realities where things are different from our own? One well circulated theory suggests that this could create a situation in which God is not necessary in the creation of the world. While this theory uses multiversal cosmology to deconstruct the Christian view of creation, it does not mean that the existence of parallel universes would somehow disprove God’s existence.
Pictured: Scientists who opened a door to another dimension.Assuming such a multiverse is even possible, it’s not a problem for a theologian. God’s omnipotence is not threatened by time paradoxes any more than than it is threatened by a person moving across time zones; He is still God no matter how His universe is structured, and if He is seeing over a multitude of different realities than it just shows us how grand He really is. The fictional concept of opening up a door to another universe should be as heretical as opening up a door to a big front yard.
But what really bugs me is that movie trailer. Have Christians been so anti-science that people will believe that we would stand up and fight against such harmless cosmological theorizing? I guess so, and that upsets me, too.
UPDATE: Jared made a good point in the comment section, below. Since C.S. Lewis’ classic Narnia tales take place in a parallel universe, it doesn’t make sense to say that Christians would find the idea heretical.
Update II (This time, it’s not update I): Just for the record, when I wrote this I put parallel universes and multiversal cosmology together in my assertion. Obviously, these are not the same thing, but I put them together because the same arguments work for both.
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With God all things are possible. A year can seem like a day.
The biggest question of time, I think, has to do with the time of Jesus Christ’s intervention on earth.
Why then?
A parallel universe, the theory of which does have some basis in science, is a part of the whole, part of the whole.
In this movie, Christians are totalitarian rulers doing pernicious experiments on children. So yeah, naturally they would be anti-science, too.
The author of the book series has made it clear that his intention was to create an atheist alternative to Chronicles of Narnia. (Which is funny, by the way, seeing as how Narnia is a parallel universe.) I read a pretty even-handed report that by the third book in the series it’s gotten rather dark and sexually-themed, but I haven’t read the series personally so I can’t say for sure.
What I do know is that the first movie was lame. Boring, boring, lame lame lame. This IN SPITE of armored warrior polar bears! I think it was on account of poorly matching music and poorly timed scenes.
Like you there are things that bug me about multiverse cosmology. The first and foremost is that gives room for cop out answers by using infinite statistics (chimps and typewriters). In fact the assumption that if you have multiple realities then you have infinite realities is my only big problem with the theory. As long as the realties are limited then I am a lot more comfortable with the system.
You mentioned Lost and I think you are right, the story is still strong because there are a very limited number of realities, namely two at the moment. The new Star Trek movie and Back to the Future also successfully used a limited multiverse.
I also agree that whether or not the multiverse model is right, the essential truths of Christianity remain valid though it might change our understanding of a lot of peripheral issues.
Now I haven’t seen the Golden Compass but I have read it. Well told story and some great characters and concepts but Pullman (the author) also had a specific agenda against Christianity and the church was part of the villain side in the book. The church in the book publically decried some of the scientific advances but secretly had numerous science labs and was very dedicated to gaining power through any means necessary including science.
Good call, Jared. I added an update to my blog entry because that’s a good point.
Jacob, I agree with you. Some people do head over to multiversal cosmology as an answer to every unanswerable question – rather than letting further research answer the questions in due time. (And, Star Trek is awesome.)
The existence of parallel universes that cannot be seen in observatorial telescope had already been verified by NASA as a result of its ‘magnetic survey’ of the universe. Check it out. The scientific community had always been discreet about ‘theories’ especially those that might potentially challenge accepted realities with religious implications.
I tried to seek understanding the insistence of Christ in loving enemies, praying for their success and turning the other cheek. When I assumed that I might have done greater evil to my enemies in a parallel world, Christ’s gospel make sense. And I feel so relieved believing and doing the very humiliating acts Crhist had challenged us to do in favor of our enemies. I feel like being elevated to a ‘state of grace’ whenever I get the chance to respond as Christ had taught as I found the explanation in the ‘parallel universe’.
arjieorwell@yahoo.com
As a scientist (with a Ph.D. in one of the applied biological sciences, not in physics or math or studies of life origins), I have always been fascinated by the intersections of science and Christian faith. If both are, in their barest essence, a search for truth, then faith and science must eventually intersect if both theologians and scientists are open to new truths. Unfortunately, scientists and theologians rarely speak the same language. Theologians have always believed in parallel universes (physical vs spiritual; that which is seen vs. that which will be revealed, etc.), but they frequently bristle when string theorists arrive at similar conclusions after attacking the problem from a secular angle.
My understanding of Holy Scriptures suggests there are at least three parallel universes: the physical one we experience as humans, the divine universe where God, Christ, and the God-fearing angels and other spiritual beings exist, and the universe of evil to which Satan and his legions have been expelled. The interesting part is that, if one believes the Bible, then all three of those universes co-exist right now here on earth.
Scientists (and all humans who deny their spirituality) are limited to working only in the physical universe. However, right now scientists in various disciplines are recognizing that the physical universe (at least as we currently know it) accounts for less than 10 percent of the energy that had to be present at the Big Bang. Isn’t it possible that the other 90-plus percent represents the spiritual aspects of existence that we cannot access with the limitations of our scientific method and our human biological existence? If spiritual aspects of creation account for more than 90 percent of all reality, then isn’t it ironic that scientists who deny God or any form of spiritual existence have voluntarily limited themselves to exploring less than 10 percent of all reality?
Admittedly, science does not have the tools needed to explore the spirit world, but theology has at least some of the needed tools and God through the Holy Spirit provides additional tools to serious investigators. Only those who can appreciate both science and theology are likely to glimpse both the limitless power and creativity of the Creator God as well as the boundless love of God the Son (Christ Jesus) who came to inhabit our limited physical universe and point us to the alternative universe that awaits those who believe in him. How ironic that American astrophysicists are attempting to communicate with other forms of life in the universe by sending out radio signals when some of the ultimate life form (God himself, incarnate as Jesus Christ) has already come to communicate with us!
To sum up, most attributes of God can be expressed as light (the physical universe; remember Einstein’s equation connecting light and mass?) and love (the spiritual universe). Unless someone suddenly discovers and explains dark matter and energy as a physical phenomenon, it seems likely that physical matter may be limited to less than 10 percent of all that exists whereas love or spiritual aspects of creation may account for more than 90 percent. Admittedly, if I am correct in assuming from Scripture that God and Satan no longer inhabit the same spiritual universe, then some portion of the total creation is undoubtedly required to account for the parallel universe currently inhabited by Satan and his minions, but I suspect that it is a quite small dominion in comparison with the proportion of creation required to encompass love and its related attributes!
I’m also a Christian and a Scientist in the biological sciences. It was so refreshing to read your post! Christians in science need to encourage each other and more importantly work together to reach people through our field for God’s glory. I would like to be in contact with you.
I’m also a Christian and a Scientist in the biological sciences. It was so refreshing to read your post! Christians in science need to encourage each other and more importantly work together to reach people through our field for God’s glory. I would like to be in contact with you.
Multi universe does not necessarily mean infinite universes. what if there were only a few? heck what if in reality, our universe is actually in reality a story (much like the ancient hebrews believed) and a story that is being delivered by God…God in three persons…what if there have been 3 universes, with each part of the Godhead delivering the story? One thing that a multiuniverse theory would explain, would be prophecy…(it would also explain deja-vu!). What if we are on the third itteration, but the story gets changed just a little bit each time? maybe that’s why there are 3 gospels? Sure would also explain why there are 2 different geaniologies for Joseph (which otherwise is explained as one belonging to Mary)
Maybe stuff gets changed somewhat each time which allows for more people to be saved?
Just a theory anyways.
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Read your Bible carefully, there are many places that allude to parallel universes.
2 Kings 6:8-18 is a good example.
Also what did Ezekiel see in the field?
There are also many mentions of God saying that we are never alone, whether it’s Him or his angels with us we are never alone.
I am a Christian and have been all my life and do believe that God have purposely retarded our intelligence because we would not be able to handle intelligence in a a good way because of the evilness in our hearts at birth, since the fall of Man. Ecclessiastes 3:11 alludes to this as well as a few other verses.
If one reads the Bible from beginning to end with a clear open and receptive mind they will find the truth of man and the universe.
That is why God says to study the Word and place it on your heart.