Readers of this blog know that I'm a big fan of Robert J. Sawyer, and Calculating God is my favorite of his books. It's Sawyer's most thorough exploration of religious ideas, and makes fine use of the philosophical dialogs that are a trademark of his fiction. The story describes a first contact scenario with two races of aliens, the Forhilnor and the Wreeds, who believe in God—an intelligent designer who has manipulated the universe to give rise to intelligent life. They fear that a soon-to-be-triggered supernova will cause an extinction on our galaxy's three known inhabited worlds, and they seek the help of a paleontologist, Thomas Jericho, in contacting God to prevent an interstellar cataclysm. But Jericho doesn't believe in God, giving the aliens ample opportunity to explain their intermingled theology and science.
The aliens make no distinction between religion and science. Their main spokesman, Hollus, explains:
"The primary goal of modern science... is to discover why God has behaved as he has and to determine his methods... We do not believe that he simply waves his hands and wishes things into existence. We live in a universe of physics, and he must have used quantifiable physical processes to accomplish his ends. If he has indeed been guiding the broad strokes of evolution on at least three worlds, then we must ask how? And why? What is he trying to accomplish?"For these aliens physics, biology, and theology are all aspects of the same thing. They're confused at the divisions that humans have built up: they don't understand conservative Christians' rejection of contraception or the unpopularity of the anthropic principle. And they especially do not understand the supposed conflict between God and evolution; in their system, the existence of God points to evolution and evolution points to the existence of God. They may use terminology reminiscent of intelligent design, but these aliens can't be mistaken for creationists.
You'd think it would be a more popular idea. From dark energy to supersymmetry, there's plenty in modern science to incite a theological renaissance, and to some extent it has. But creationists are still among the loudest voices in the conversation, and they're holding back the development of a more robust theology. As Hollus argues, we need a God that fits the facts of our universe. Evolution is one of those facts, and is actually a gateway to some wonderful theological concepts (among them Teilhard de Chardin's Christ the Evolver).
That's the kind of thing the term "intelligent design" should be used to define—a theology informed by science that seeks to find God's imprint on the observable, explainable phenomena of the universe. It seems deistic at first to say that God acts through scientific, physical laws, and the Forhilnor do seem to view God as a sort of minimally-acting watchmaker. But the Wreeds take a more maximalist view:
"'God observes; wavefronts collapse. God's chosen people are those whose existence he/she/it validates by observing.'...Quantum physics gives a concrete way of explaining the unfathomable awesomeness of God's power, but since it comes with the association of non-theistic ideas, creationists want nothing to do with it. (Indeed, as one Godtube video shows, some creationists go so far as to reject the concept of ex nihilo creation as too similar to the Big Bang theory.) And atheists don't like it too much either—The Skeptical Inquirer lambasted Calculating God as "pro-creationist," prompting two responses from Sawyer. The aliens in Calculating God science and theology feed one another rather than fighting—and in the end their union saves the galaxy.
'You are suggesting,' I said, 'that God chooses moment by moment which present reality he wants to observe, and, by so doing, has built up a concrete history timeslice by timeslice, frame by frame?'
'Such must be the case.'"
Sawyer has assembled an array of articles relating to Calculating God on his website, where you can also read the book's opening chapter. You can also read Sawyer's short essay "Science and God," in which he lays aside the artifice of drama and character to explain his personal thoughts on religion and science.
I discuss the novel's attitude to questions of faith and proof in chapter 7 of The Gospel According to Science Fiction.
THE NEW DISCIPLINE!
Things will never be the same in academia after this.
There is a new discipline on the scene: physical science, the old science of cause and effect.
Against the backdrop of a nation embroiled in debate and legal battles over whether creationism or evolution, or both, should be taught in the classroom, The Quest for Right proclaims a
DAY OF VICTORY!
The Quest for Right, a series of seven textbooks designed for the public schools, represents the ultimate marriage between an in-depth knowledge of biblical phenomena and natural and physical sciences. As a result, the several volumes have accomplished that which, heretofore, was deemed impossible: to level the playing field between those who desire a return to physical science in the classroom and those who embrace the theory of evolution. The Quest for Right turns the tide by providing an authoritative and enlightening scientific explanation of natural phenomena which will ultimately replace the unprofitable Darwinian view.
The backbone of Darwinism is not biological evolution per se, but electronic interpretation, the tenet that all physical, chemical, and biological processes result from a change in the electron structure of the atom which, in turn, may be deciphered through the orderly application of mathematics, as outlined in quantum mechanics. A few of the supporting theories are: degrading stars, neutron stars, black holes, extraterrestrial water, antimatter, the absolute dating systems, and the big bang, the explosion of a singularity infinitely smaller than the dot of an “i” from which space, time, and the massive stellar bodies supposedly sprang into being.
The philosophy rejects any divine intervention. Therefore, let the philosophy of Darwinism be judged on these specifics: electron interpretation and quantum mechanics. Conversely, the view that God is both responsible for and rules all the phenomena of the universe will stand or fall when the facts are applied. The view will not hinge on faith alone, but will be tested by the weightier principle of verifiable truths – the new discipline.
The Quest for Right is not only better at explaining natural phenomena, but also may be verified through testing. As a result, the material in the several volumes will not violate the so-called constitutional separation of church and state. Physical science, the old science of cause and effect, will have a long-term sustainability, replacing irresponsible doctrines based on whim. Teachers and students will rejoice in the simplicity of earthly phenomena when entertained by the new discipline. You will not want to miss the adventure of a lifetime that awaits you in Volume 1 of The Quest for Right, by C. David Parsons.
Visit the official website for additional information: http://questforright.com/
“A book that will change the world.” – Wayne Lin, Editor, Tate Publishing LLC
The Quest for Right in the news:
Feb. 5th – Shipped 200 copies of Volume 1 to concerned educators, religious leaders, and politicians in Florida. Even as you read this, the books are on their desks.
Feb. 11th - Author C. David Parsons will be a guest on Changing Worldviews Talk Radio, hosted by Sharon Hughes. Sharon is one of the top conservative female commentators in America. Real and relevant for today's women in today's world. If it affects your life, we talk about it.
Mar. 2008 – Some 550 additional copies are slated to be shipped to Texas and South Carolina.
Posted by: C. David Parsons | February 09, 2008 at 05:59 PM