Can Humans Devise a Theory of Everything?
A commentary by John Ross Schroeder
Good News senior writer, United Kingdom
Posted July 30, 2009
 Our
21st century civilization is inundated with endless information and
bewildering possibilities, options, theories, causes and conflicts.
We sail our human ship in an unending sea of apparent randomness.
Making sense of life is enormously difficult for most people.
Searching for a solution
Some scientists are determined to find a solution. They are searching
for that one big idea that would sort out all the chaos and
confusion.
For example, Cambridge Professor Stephen Hawking began his conclusion
to his best-selling book A Brief History of Time with these
words: "We find ourselves in a bewildering world. We want to make
sense of what we see around us and to ask: what is the nature of the
universe? What is our place in it and where did we come from?" (1988,
p. 189).
Noted travel writer Bill Bryson titled one of his many books A
Short History of Nearly Everything. He too was in search of that
one big idea.
At least a few of our best minds are asking the right questions!
One major point that the vast majority of our intelligentsia seems
to agree on is that at the end of the day science will eventually reveal
the answer to the big questions of life.
In the past scientists left these basic questions to theologians and
philosophers, but no longer.
Scientists in the theological arena
Stephen Hawking explained: "My goal is simple. It is a complete
understanding of the universe, why it is as it is, and why it exists
at all" ("The Return of the Invisible Man," Discover magazine,
July/August 2009, p. 44). He wants to fully understand the great mysteries
of physics.
We desperately need a coherent base with which to explain our planet
and our world as well as explaining the meaning of the universe. The
book A Brief History of Time by Professor Hawking implied that
physicists were finally about to discover a theory of everything—a
theory that would embrace the entire history of matter.
At the very end of the book, he concludes: "However, if we do
discover a complete theory, it should be understandable to everyone,
not just a few scientists. Then we shall all...be able to take part
in the discussion of why it is that we and the universe exist. If
we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph
of human reason—for then we would know the mind of
God" (p. 193, emphasis added).
Access to the mind of God
However, only one book accurately reveals the mind of God—answering
the big questions of life. That book is the Bible.
In principle the Bible addresses everything, even why we are unable
to discover the meaning and purpose of our existence on our own—by
the use of human reason only—devoid of God's help.
Human reason devised the Tower of Babel with the confusion of languages
being our just reward. Today science is in the process of building a
modern version of the Tower of Babel. It will inevitably bring us another
unwanted result. God will have to save us from ourselves.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans about "the revelation of
the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known
through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so
that [responsive people from] all nations might [have the opportunity
to] believe and obey him" (Romans 16:25-26).
This passage embraces a true theory of everything important to human
salvation—to understanding the mind of God correctly.
The purpose of life
God has made His purpose for human life very clear. Notice His desire: "I
will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says
the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:18, New International Version).
Presently, explains Paul, "The creation waits in eager expectation
for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to
frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected
it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage
to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Romans
8:19-21, NIV).
 To learn more about what the Bible really means when it speaks of the
hope that we may become God's sons and daughters please request,
download or read online our free booklet: What Is Your Destiny?
Related Resources
God's
Vision for You!
In God's master plan everyone is created with many things in common. Yet each
is distinct from any other human being.
What's
My Purpose Here?
There must be some meaning to humanity's mixture of awesome abilities
and awful atrocities. What is the ultimate purpose and meaning of your
life?
God's
Family: The Reason You Were Born
Have you ever wondered why you exist, why you were born? Have you ever suspected
there isn't a purpose to life at all? What is the meaning of life? Is there
anything beyond this physical life?
Does
Life Have Greater Meaning and Purpose?
It is a paradox of our modern age that, although we have more knowledge and
material possessions than at any other time in history, we sense a lack of purpose
in life. A gnawing hunger for the meaning of life pervades our world.
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