A Christian View of Entropy
Earlier I have written about the connection between expectations and actuality
. Differences between those two things contribute to frustration. I am going to discourse a bit more on the subject of "reality" in this article. Please do not desert me before you get to the end. It may start to look too technical, but it will get better. Trust me, I am not likely to ever engage in any technical thoughts that are too complex for the average person!
Scientists advance a principle of the universe called "entropy." In common words, entropy indicates that the universe inevitably tends to move from a state of order to a state of disorder. Most of us recognize this from common sense: cultures deteriorate, objects wear out and people age. Then again, a little bit more thinking reveals a riddle: "moving to a state of disorder" suggests that at some point order existed and, probably, perfect order. That has to mean that entropy has not always been working as a universal law.. Scientists try to explain this by assuming that order can be inserted into local systems for a while. According to these authorities, evolution can occur for a limited time and in a limited setting (like on a planet).. This view views evolution as a transient occurance in a local environment.
Nonetheless, science limits this rationalization by revealing that increasing order in one place and time has to come at the cost of even greater disorder in some other place and time. In other words, they insist that mathematics and physics call for entropy to be a universal assumption when seen in a universal framework. In reality, that is fine with me. I have been told that is it unChristian to believe in entropy, I don't have any basis to quarrel with the idea, at least at this point in history.
The Bible asserts that the universe was made by God and that God considered it a good job. (Genesis 1:1-31) More reading in the Bible discloses that He made human beings with the intention that they live forever, without illness or death. The Bible reveals that humanity's first surroundings were flawless. Weeds didn't even spread there! Human beings did not need to labor to maintain it because nothing was amiss with it. (Genesis 3:1-24) Humans could focus on their relationships with God and with each other because they didn't have to concentrate on surviving in a hostile world. I characterize it as "no entropy." It seems to me like unspoiled order, with no disorder.
But now sin comes on the scene. It seems that, Godset only one rule in this perfect setting and the first man and woman decided to violate it. (Genesis 3:6) Their disobedience changed their relationship with God and, moreover, it tainted the basic nature of the universe.
Enter entropy. The perfect world began to tumble into disorder, both morally and physically..(Genesis 3:17-24) To be sure, humans are smart enough to design some temporary, local systems which appear to be physically and morally in order, but they are fashioned at the expense of the universe as a whole, and they always decline eventually. It is true that occurances of organization happen but the general universal tendency is in the other direction.
So, How does this discussion of physics relate to frustration?? I will briefly talk about a couple of facts that can help to put frustration into perspective for Christians:
Entropy is normal in this universe. Currently in history it is normal for folks to get old and equipment to wear out. It is completely normal for governments to crash and for innocent individuals to be hurt. All organized structures, from human beings to cars, are located on a continuum between perfect and non-existent (entropy). Carefully observe that there is no continuum from "perfect" to "imperfect." Everything that is not perfect is imperfect. Imperfect is a finalized state, without degrees.. A lot of frustration stems from the fact that we are encouraged to "strive for perfection" in all things. When we catch a glimpse of ourselve in a mirror we contrast ourselves to a model, or to some younger, healthier version of us. We have problems optimizing ourselves because we are optimizing against an expectation that is abnormal for any person - perfection. We have trouble being thankful for our automobiles because the idea we have about them is the idea we formed the day we glimpsed them on the showroom floor. When our expectations are founded on a realistic concept about how our circumstances "ought to be" our frustrations will be reduced.
We are currently living in an abnormal universe, but we won't be here for long. When Satan influenced the first humans to make their own wishes more worthy than God's intentions for their lives, he not only stole our lives, he stole our perfect world. Our lives have already been rescued through God's forgiveness. He will soon save the physical world, as well. Until that time everyone who is living in human flesh will be continually tempted to make the same choices that the first people in the world made, to become caught up with survival and getting pleasure in this present world. This in itself is normal for the "flesh." (Galatians 5:16-26) For now we fight to exist like people who are rich and in good health and not like people who are hopelessly destitute and anxious. to live in this flawed universe is abnormal for Christians but, for this moment, we must accept it. Acquiescing to it at the present and looking forward to the wonder of the coming universe is a swift exit from frustration.
I am on occasion asked, "Does all that mean that I am supposed to be happy that I'm growing old, feeling sick and my car is out of order?. Is it unChristian to be displeased? My response is clearly "No." Keep in mind that frustraton is not a result of your discontent about your circumstances. Frustration comes from your expectations about your situation. it's possible to be discontented about a situation and still not be frustrated with it. I frequently become aware of my aching joints, and I don't react by trying to convince myself that it doesn't displease me. The truth is that when I was younger I figured I would be dead and gone by now. Now I grasp how useless it has been to be frightened of or yearn for any future moment.
A Christian View of Entropy
By: Bob McCluskey
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