orthodoxy

Math in Process: An Introduction

joshwilkerson5 Comments

As I’ve mentioned here previously, this semester I was charged with composing a research paper on the topic of my choosing. My choice: the negative relationship between process theology and a distinctly Christian understanding of mathematics. In the next few posts I would like to share with you a condensed and un-academified (hey, I’m a mathematician not a…a…word…person) version of my paper. Today is the overview.

First of all, why is this important? The person largely credited with the development of process theology, at least as it is presently understood and practiced, is Alfred North Whitehead. Whitehead was also a mathematician. In fact, he was primarily a mathematician. The process philosophy that he put forward was driven by mathematical advances. So this raises the question to begin with: should our understanding of mathematics influence our understanding of God? Does there really exist a relationship between the two at all? Is the process view a viable option for Christian mathematicians?

I propose the answer to the last question is no. N – O – no. Negative. Nope. Nay. Not gonna happen. (That’s a pretty good list of synonyms for someone who isn’t a word person. I even had more, but I think you get the idea).

Here is how I plan to demonstrate this thesis:

  1. Give you a brief overview of process theology
  2. Give you a brief history on the relationship between process theology and the philosophy of mathematics
  3. Give you a brief critique on process theology, highlighting the modifications process theologians make to the Christian doctrines of Scripture, the Trinity, and Jesus Christ.
  4. Offer a guiding framework for how to approach mathematics from a Christian perspective

Should be fun.

…seriously.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

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Father, Thank You for Hope

Matthew 28:5-6

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said.”

Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Charles Wesley, 1739)

Christ, the Lord, is risen today
Sons of men and angels say
Raise your joys and triumphs high
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply

Lives again our glorious King
Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Once He died our souls to save
Where thy victory, O grave?

Soar we now where Christ hath led
Following our exalted Head
Made like Him, like Him we rise
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies

Alleluia!

1 Peter 1:18-21

You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed– not by perishable things like silver or gold, but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake.  Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1 Corinthians 15

Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you– unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received– that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures…

Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed– in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

Now when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will happen, “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Math: Solving the Planets Problems?

joshwilkerson1 Comment


“Math solves problems.”

“Math can make the planet smarter.”

“Math can do anything.”

I am of the opinion that the dominion over this world, which God granted to humanity, extends well beyond caring for the environment and cultivating the ground. While those are noble tasks, I believe the decree also extends to the cultivation of the mind. As stewards of this planet we have a responsibility to hone the reasoning ability that God created. The study of mathematics and how it can be applied to the problems facing this planet goes along way in fulfilling the divine command to respect and care for creation. Of course here I am speaking of real problems such as world hunger, or “curbing pandemics” as mentioned in the commercial, not simply how to make the iphone download faster. Math is amazing, God-given tool and if we are to make any claim as overseers of this planet from a Christian perspective, then, at least to me, this necessarily entails a proper study of mathematics.

On the other hand, while I believe a proper devotion to the mathematical sciences and arts is important, I find it inappropriate to place my hope in math alone. Pure mathematics can teach us a great deal about God and the plans He has set in place for His created order, but as humans we must recognize that our understanding can never be pure. Our understanding will always be tainted by sin. One day that stain will be completely removed, thanks to the grace of God demonstrated through His Son, Jesus Christ. That fact alone is worthy of our hope. But until that day arrives, we should dedicated ourselves, humbly, to the care and cultivation of this world.

One must know when it is right to doubt, to affirm, to submit. Anyone who does otherwise does not understand the force of reason. Some men run counter to these three principles, either affirming that everything can be proved, because they know nothing about proof, or doubting everything, because they do not know when to submit, or always submitting, because they do not know when judgment is called for. Skeptic, mathematician, Christian; doubt, affirmation, submission.

~Blaise Pascal