Are we random or determined?
Quantum physicists want us to believe that the universe is entirely the result of random events.
As proof of this they can show that at the quantum level extremely tiny particles are fuzzy, that is, governed by randomness. This basic quantum law is experimentally correct to at least 10 decimal places. It seems to be the best supported scientific theory of all time.
But according to Einstein and his theory of relativity, there isn’t randomness at all. At the scale of the planets gravity and motion are laws cast in iron. The error on experimental results from relativity theory, based on measured white dwarf and neutron star interactions, is only a few parts per million, that is, about correct to six decimal places.
To illustrate: our orbit round the sun takes almost the same number of seconds each year. That is a precision better than 1 part in 30 million. For the solar system, the precision is similarly correct to about 10 decimal places. Both the world of the extremely small (random) and the world of the extremely large (law-bound) seem accurate to an amazing degree.
So is the world an enslaving clockwork or a lottery? Probably a mixture and we humans are in the middle! By chance I might win a lottery, but the sun will definitely rise tomorrow according to the laws of the planets. Without chance the world would be stupefyingly boring. Without reliability the world would be like an inescapable randomly nightmarish kaleidoscope.
So, is God completely random in his behaviour, or completely law-bound, or like we humans, does he use both?
Wind and weather seem to have lots of randomness, and Jesus said that we can’t predict the wind fully. Meteorologists agree. Some who study precise processes say that our ability to predict the weather accurately has fundamental limits. Even with the best computers predictions can’t be made beyond about 10 days. Even with computers much, much more powerful than our current ones, prediction fails 10 days out. This is a result of inherent randomness, not computing power.
Scripture also says Jesus has been made a life-giving Spirit, and the wind is always an important image for Spirit. There some randomness, some elusiveness in his nature and interactions with us. On the other hand, Jesus holds everything together with the word of his power, and is a stable rock compared with the randomness of the weather.
Jesus says to Nicodemus that those born again have acquired randomness (just like the wind). But we are also made living stones – tough and enduring. He also says that he himself offers the stability of being securely anchored to a rock, even immovable, never shifting.
Which do you need? More freedom or more stability? Well, you can have it all!