Whether all the constants in science (especially physics) are truly constant is a question that sometimes comes up (often, with respect to the anthropic principle and a fine tuned universe). Obviously, such a thing would have huge implications for the assumptions and the conclusions of science.
I wanted to draw attention to a paper that has been recently submitted for peer review, "Evidence for spatial variation of the fine structure constant" by John K. Webb (Univ. of South Wales), et. al., and which proposes that the fine structure constant is varying. Here is a nice summary at Technology Review, along with some interesting blog comments afterward.
Keep in mind that this paper's results may be refuted or they may be further verified (whether next month or 40 years from now). However, neither such results, nor the refutation thereof, affect the certainty of the creation account recorded in Genesis nor our God's promises to us in Christ.
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Comments on scientific issues from a confessional Lutheran perspective with special emphasis on creation and evolution
assumptions
I assume and believe the following to be true based upon historical-grammatical exegesis of the Old and New Testaments:
- There was only one creation event in which the entire universe was created
- This creation event consisted of six 24-hour periods -- periods which are no different than the 24-hour periods that mankind has known throughout recorded history and that today, we refer to as a "day"
- Adam and Eve were special creations of God and created directly by Him on the sixth day
- The Bible gives the impression that this creation event happened at some point in the recent past (i.e., multi-thousands of years ago). However, biblical exegesis does not allow us to conclude a timeline more specific than this
- Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin.
- There was, at some time in the historical past, a flood which was global in extent and which destroyed everything that lived on the earth except Noah and those with him.
- Human lifespans (both average and maximum) were substantially longer before the Flood than after.
- The Lutheran Confessions, as contained in the Book of Concord of 1580, express the true doctrine of Scripture.
In Addition ...
- It is necessary to distinguish between what the Bible says and what it does not say. Failure to make this distinction may result in subtracting from or minimizing what the Bible states (sometimes referred to as "a half-truth"). Or, failure to make this distinction may result in adding to what the Bible says (e.g. "a truth-and-a-half"). The reason why this distinction is important is because, on those issues where God has spoken, the matter is settled. On those issues where God is silent, we allow for a difference of opinion. Where God is silent, He leaves those things up to our Christian freedom to explore and observe, and to use our logic and reason to (in the case of creationism) come up with models which describe this world. We realize that, to a large extent, such models are human conclusions and not derived from God's Word.
- It is helpful and useful to distinguish between...
- These distinctions are helpful so as not to unnecessarily bind the consciences of others. This binding might happen if we take a scientific question and present what should be a scientific answer but rather pass it off as a theological answer. In so doing, we are presenting the issue as theologically settled, whereas in reality, the matter is open to Christian assessment and discernment.
1) "theological" questions -- questions from which Biblical exegesis may provide an answer,
2) "theological indeterminate" questions -- referring to areas where Biblical exegesis will not provide a unique answer but may still give direction, and
3) "non-theological/empirical/scientific" questions -- defined as questions in which God's Word is silent on a specific issue.
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About Me
- Patrick Winkler, P.E.
- B.A., M.Div., B.S. Mech. Eng.,
M.S. Eng.
I have worked since 1999 as a mechanical engineer. Prior to that, I served as pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Yucaipa, CA) for one year and Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church (Casa Grande, AZ) for five years.