Randomness: Naturalism, Quantum Mechanics, and God

Naturalism implies that randomness is synonymous with ignorance caused by a proliferation of variables: if one knows the initial configuration of a wholly natural universe, and has enough computing power and memory capacity to perfectly model that universe going forward, one can have complete knowledge of all and there is no such randomness. 

Since we don't yet have such capabilities, there remains such ignorance, or randomness.

To the naturalist, the universe is just an unimaginably large and complex finite state machine, essentially boiling down to just a bunch of material billiard balls knocking around in space time.

However, in physics, randomness in Quantum Mechanics is innate randomness: randomness that does not imply a proliferation of variables resulting in ignorance. This view is consistent with the classically accepted Copenhagen interpretation of quantum indeterminacy (proponent Niels Bohr) as a fundamental aspect of Quantum Mechanics that need not, and can not, be explained by hidden variables which will eventually come to light through further research and experimentation (proponent Albert Einstein). Attempts at explaining such theoretically within the sphere of natural processes to date have been overly complex and contrived.

In Quantum Mechanics, the location of matter (energy) in space and time is described by shaped probability distributions. For instance, the shells of electrons around the nucleus of an atom, for which the simplest, hydrogen (one electron orbiting one proton), is in the shape of a sphere.

The equations of Quantum Physics describe these probability distributions, and they can be incredibly complex (and beautiful to behold).

When these probability distributions collapse into discrete ejected particles (for instance, when particles are emitted from a radioactive substance), the exact time when each individual particle is ejected as well as the location and trajectory of the individual emitted particles are innately random, even though in the aggregate amazingly regular and with a distinct, knowable average number of ejections per unit time. This is how atomic clocks work, for instance.

Facing this, it follows that such innate randomness must be metaphysical. Nothing material could cause innate randomness to happen since it is proven by science to be external to the natural, material universe.

What metaphysical reality could possibly be up to the task of making all the quantum mechanical state decisions for all the universe all the time? The only logical conclusion is the God of the Christian Bible, the only source of absolute truth: therefore, it holds that this proposition is reality.

Biblically, God is the "author and sustainer" of His creation. A decision must be made when exactly each and every random event individually happens in all the universe all the time: God not only created all, but without His constant sustaining of His creation, it would cease to exist as we know it.

In the example above, that decision would be made by God when exactly every single shaped probability distribution collapses and emits each single particle as part of the overall aggregate process of radioactive emission.

Since all quantum mechanical decisions are constantly being made by God, and He is constantly interacting with His creation, doing signs, miracles, and wonders ongoing, He constantly guides the trajectory of all creation all the time: it is subject to His will and His good pleasure. The metaphysical God of the Bible influences and constantly directs the natural as well as the metaphysical parts of creation by His sovereign will.

If God were the only decision maker, there would only be one single willful determinant of the entire unfolding of all creation, both physical and metaphysical, indeed of all things eternity past to eternity future including God Himself.

However, I believe in the free agency of man, in free will. Man is the therefore the other willful determinant to the trajectory of all creation other than God through their metaphysical thoughts and actions. Note that God can, at His good pleasure, and for the ultimate good, limit man or wholly control Him.

However, as a rule, God allows man to exercise his own determinacy through his own decisions within his limitations and the limitations imposed, to varying degrees, by God. Man therefore alters the trajectory of creation in addition to God, and even to a limited extent the actual trajectory of God's state as He works with, through, and as a result of man's decisions. So, man's free will decisions can impact not just creation, but all including God Himself. However, God's omniscience remains absolute and complete, or plenary, logically.

So, not only must God orchestrate the sustainment and trajectory of all the natural and metaphysical elements of creation except for man, He must also work with and through man who has his own free agency as well: that sets the bar unbelievably higher with respect to the task God constantly must work out ongoing as sustainer and guide of all creation, indeed, of all eternity both inside and outside of space and time: inside and outside of all natural and metaphysical creation, that outside being Himself.

This is wonderful scientific assurance of God as presented in the Bible, and speaks convincingly to the unimaginable power and sovereignty He possesses. It also speaks to how easily God can do signs, wonders, and miracles both in the past and ongoing: if He is up to the monumental task of deciding every quantum mechanical event in all creation all the time, all the while taking into account all the free will decisions of all mankind, working all to His loving redemptive purposes and ultimate end, He can certainly do signs, miracles, and wonders at any time. He is, after all, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient.

Six Pence Song - written here Monday February 27th 2023 at around 9:07 PM CT. Further heavy editing and expansion later.