Tzemach Logo
The Uncertainty Principle

Often we notice a parallel between Biblical revelation and the principles of science.  For example, the Bible tells us that God completed His creation activity in the sixth day and rested from that activity.  One of the fundamental laws of physics states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the universe is constant. This means that no creating activity is presently occurring. This is just what the Bible declares. Another subject area where there appears to be a parallel is in the area of uncertainty. There appears to be a limit to the revelation that is given to us beyond which we cannot go.  We will develop this theme in this article.

Nature of Atomic Particles

Another aspect of nature when viewed from the atomic level is that there is always an "uncertainty factor" when attempting to measure both momentum and position of atomic particles.

Atomic particles are thought of as matter whereas light is thought of as a pure form of energy. When we consider the development of atomic physics in the 20th century, it was recognized that atomic particles exhibit both the characteristics of particles and of waves. Conversely, photons, which are electromagnetic radiation, and thought of as waves also demonstrate particle phenomena. Early models of the Hydrogen atom envisioned an electron particle orbiting around the Hydrogen nucleus, a proton, much like the moon orbits around the earth. As more complicated models of the atom were developed it was necessary to develop quantum mechanics to describe what was being observed. In quantum mechanics the electron is seen as behaving like a wave with a given probability of existing in a number of different orbits about the nucleus.

Electron beams which are normally thought of as matter can be refracted.  This means that they are exhibiting characteristics of waves. Photons, on the other hand have been thought traditionally to be energy waves exhibiting characteristics like reflection and refraction, constructive and destructive interference, yet, photons also exhibit characteristics like particles.  So we conclude when looking at progressively smaller makeup of matter, we are unable to define exactly if we are dealing with a particle or with a wave.

Another aspect of nature when viewed from the atomic level is that there is always an "uncertainty factor" when attempting to measure both momentum and position of atomic particles. This was recognized first by Werner Heisenberg and, hence, the principle is called the "Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle".  So, again, we find some natural limits built into the physical universe which limits our capability to observe and analyze behavior.

Biblical Revelation

We want to set forth the simple proposition that in Biblical revelation, just as in the physical universe, there are limits imposed by God on the degree which He will allow Himself to be defined.  The most basis and profound name of God given to us was revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14).  God declared that He would be that which He would be.  This name implies that God is beyond definition. Hence, even though Biblical revelation reveals much about God and His nature, there is an element of "uncertainty" that remains about God.

Religious man is uncomfortable with anything less than full definition of the entity worshipped.

Another area of uncertainty is seen in the nature of Messiah Jesus. Is He God, or is He man, or both? Like our problem with the physics of atomic particles, He exhibits characteristics of both. The New Testament declares that He was uniquely begotten by the Holy One of Israel (Luke 1:34-35).  John refers to Him as the "only begotten from the Father" (John 1:14). We also have the detailed description in the gospels of the man, Jesus, experiencing the same things that all the rest of us do.  In the book of "The Revelation", a post-resurrection description of Jesus (Revelation 1:13-15) portrays Him in the same way as had previously been used of God, Himself (Ezekiel 1:26-28). Therefore, we see that the Bible leaves us with a measure of "uncertainty" in the matter of the exact nature of Messiah Jesus.  We can see Him as God or we can see Him as man. It is difficult for our minds to integrate both concepts.  We do not seem to have sufficient information or adequate tools to define Him absolutely.

How Religions Have Treated this Problem

Religious man is uncomfortable with anything less than full definition of the entity worshipped. As a result, the Church Fathers of the 2nd – 4th centuries AD were unwilling to settle for the "less than complete" revelation left to them by the Apostles.  Therefore, in the areas of uncertainty in Biblical revelation, they supplied, through Greek philosophical speculation, the needed information and used it to more precisely define the nature of God and the relationship between the Father and the Son. Their actions have left a religion, Constantinian Christianity, not conforming to Biblical revelation.  It shouldn't surprise us that this religion has departed from Biblical patterns in many other areas as well. People of faith must be comfortable with a certain degree of "uncertainty" about the nature of God. God has deliberately left this "uncertainty" in Biblical revelation. His wisdom is sure to be confirmed.