Bosons and Beauty

You may have heard something in the news recently about the discovery of the God particle. Technically called the Higgs Boson, the term refers to the basic unit for the formation of mass. Particle physics is very complicated, but I think of it this way: picture sunlight streaming through a window. If you look closely, you can see dust floating through the air. If you were to walk by, some of that dust would cling to the hair on top of your head. Therefore, you would be just the tiniest bit taller.

The Higgs Boson behaves like dust in the universe. It is the smallest of all microscopic elements; yet slowly, when enough of it gathers in one place, a molecule is formed. These protons and neutrons and electrons create proteins, which eventually make stuff – trees, rocks, granddaddy long-legs, and Granddaddy.

I read an editorial in Nature, which candidly asked, what difference does it make now that we have discovered the fundamental building block of the universe? The answer in this prestigious and acclaimed scientific journal was…nothing. It makes no difference! The Higgs Boson will continue to do its thing, just like it always has, whether we are aware of its existence or not!

It struck me that one could easily say the same thing about theology. Thinking about God and God’s way with the world doesn’t have a “point.” It is not an item to create; you can’t eat it or build with it or even chart its growth on a spread sheet. God will continue to do God’s thing, whether we are aware of it or not…

And yet, theology does make a difference in a profound way. It matters the way that art matters. Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa or Michelangelo’s David don’t have a point other than they are inspiring. Theology can never define God; but it can point to its beauty. And that is worth the effort!

Yeats once said that we must “labor to be beautiful.” The reward is in the work itself. Neither scientific discovery nor theological inquiry put food on the table; yet they form the basis of profound dinner conversations. Their point is not for us to make a living; but to make life worth living. There is a moment when art, science, and faith merge into profound acts that speak in unspeakable ways to our hearts. They pull our thoughts, out of our daily grind, and into contemplation of that in which we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). The intersection of science and theology is perhaps best understood as the cultivation of profound awe and wonder as an ends unto itself.

 

Comments

[Jay Wilkins]

Andrew,
Thanks for the call to awe and wonder and beauty. For us scientists turned theologians who continue to be both at the same time, awesome wonder and beauty connect our faith and knowledge very deeply.

[Andrew Taylor-Troutman]

Thanks Jay,

I'd be curious to learn more about you call. What field of science are you in? How does this inform your theology?

If you have the time, I'm sure that others would be curious to read your comments as well.

Thanks again for your response.
Andrew

[Jay Wilkins]

Andrew,
I was a chemistry major in college and did some research for a year before experiencing a call to ordained ministry. After seminary and four years in congregations, I returned to grad school & got a Ph.D. in religious & scientific thought. I heard my call to be in higher education and in teaching the church to welcome scientific perspectives on the theater for God's glory -- creation -- as Calvin called it. Juggling a two career marriage and child led me away from academia, but I continue to encourage others to engage scientific perspectives in creative conversations. Even as a presbytery leader now, I continue in congregations and in writing to point to the awesome wonder and beauty that surrounds us and gives witness to God. Thanks be to God!

[Andrew Taylor-Troutman]

Thanks Jay, for sharing your story and your call. I really appreciated your statement about encouraging creative conversations. Too often, it seems to me that science and faith talk at each other, rather than having a genuine dialogue. Thanks for all that you do to be a part of that exciting conversation, including checking in on this blog!

Best,
Andrew